How to choose between Tier-1, Tier-2 and Tier-3 MBA colleges?

Choosing the right MBA college can be very stressful, especially when terms like Tier-1, Tier-2, and Tier-3 business schools are frequently mentioned.

Do you know what these terms really mean and most importantly do you know which one is most appropriate for you?

Don’t worry, we are here to help!

Will a Tier-1 MBA college give you an edge in the long run? Let’s find out –

Tier-1 MBA colleges

Tier-1 MBA colleges offer the most prestigious MBA programs and are generally very tough to get into!!

Examples of top Tier-1 B-schools

ISB Hyderabad, IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore (From India)
London Business School, and HEC Paris (From the European region)
Harvard Business School, Stanford, MIT Sloan, Wharton (From USA)

Are these a right choice for you?

Do you have a very high GMAT/CAT score? Are you looking for global career opportunities with a fat paycheck?

Then you can aim for Tier-1 B-schools abroad or Tier-1 B-schools in India.

Also read : Is an MBA worth it in India? How much can you really earn?

Application strategies

You should be one of the top GMAT score holders (for MBA abroad), or one of the top CAT score holders (for MBA in India).
You need to have a strong academic record throughout.
Taking additional supplementary courses in accounting or statistics can help you gain the opportunity, and previous working experience is often required.

Tier-2 MBA colleges

Tier-2 MBA colleges are strong contenders as they offer a good MBA return on investments.

Examples of top Tier-2 B-schools

Management Development Institute (MDI), IIM Lucknow (From India)
Dartmouth Tuck, ESADE Business School of Spain, Mannheim Business School of Germany (From Europe)
Yale SOM, Berkeley Haas, Duke Fuqua, Indiana Kelley (From USA)

Are these a right choice for you?

If you are looking for good placement opportunities but don’t want to stress yourself in getting into the Tier-1 B-schools, then Tier-2 MBA colleges are best suited for you.

Application strategies

You need to have a decent GMAT score (for MBA abroad).
If you are looking for an MBA in India, you must have a decent CAT score or similar XAT, MAT, or CMAT scores.

Tier-3 MBA colleges

Tier-3 MBA colleges may not provide you with global career opportunities or global exposure, but can definitely help you build your career with great knowledge on a limited budget.

Examples of top Tier-3 B-schools

NMIMS, Amity, IMT Ghaziabad, Jaipur National University (JNU), Symbiosis (From India)
McCombs School of Business, Foster School of Business, King’s College London (Abroad)

Are these a right choice for you?

If you aim to get a good placement with a cost-effective MBA degree, you can go for Tier-3 MBA colleges. You can gain MBA experience without crossing your budget.

Application strategies

You need to pass the respective Universities’ internal entrance exams.

Final Thoughts – Will a Tier-1 MBA college give you an edge in the long run?

A Tier-1 MBA college can definitely provide you with global exposure and six-figure salaries, but you have to be ready for crazy competition.

Also, a quick reality check: Not everyone needs a degree from IIM or Stanford to get a career success. Success often depends on how you can use your knowledge or degree!

The true difference-maker is YOU!

For further validation, please refer to these external links –

https://www.joinleland.com/library/a/business-school-tiers