QS MBA Ranking 2025: Check Top-Ranked Indian B Schools
Established in 2004, the QS MBA ranking provides a comprehensive framework for students to evaluate colleges and programs objectively.
The QS Global MBA Ranking highlights the top MBA programs worldwide. Its unique approach focuses on identifying programs with solid industry connections, significant career benefits, and excellent value for money, among other parameters.
In this blog, we have explained the primary parameters QS uses to rank all its colleges while identifying the best Indian BSchools that make it to this list. Just keep in mind that BSchools need to fulfil several criteria to be considered for this ranking. Many schools choose not to participate, i.e., they aren’t part of the exercise. This explains the inconspicuous absence of schools like IIFT and SP Jain from the QS MBA ranking.
The universities that are mentioned in the blog have fulfilled the following QS Ranking Criteria:
- They must be accredited by one of the following organisations: AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS, or EPAS. Alternatively, if a university has received a rating of 3 or more QS Stars*, it will also qualify.
- The average number of students in each class must be at least 20.
- The school should have at least three graduating classes.
- The MBA programs must be offered in person (face to face).
- Classes should be conducted on a full-time or full-time equivalent (FTE) basis.
QS MBA Ranking 2025 – Top Indian BSchools
According to the QS MBA ranking, the following ranks of top colleges are mentioned: The list includes renowned institutes such as IIM BLACKI, XLRI, and MDI Gurgaon, among others.
| India Rank | University Name | Global Rank |
| 1 | Indian Institute of Management Bangalore | 53 |
| 2 | Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad | 60 |
| 3 | Indian Institute of Management Calcutta | 65 |
| 4 | Indian School of Business | 86 |
| 5 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) – Kozhikode | 151-200 |
| 6 | Indian Institute of Management Indore | 201-250 |
| 7 | Indian Institute of Management Lucknow | 201-250 |
| 8 | Indian Institute of Management Udaipur | 201-250 |
| 9 | XLRI- Xavier School of Management | 201-250 |
| 10 | Institute Of Management Technology, Ghaziabad | 251+ |
| 11 | International Management Institute – Delhi | 251+ |
| 12 | International Management Institute – Kolkata | 251+ |
| 13 | Management Development Institute Gurgaon | 251+ |
| 14 | Somaiya Vidyavihar University | 251+ |
Read More: Top Tier 2 MBA Colleges in India
These rankings can be found on TopMBA.com, where aspirants can also explore the results broken down by region.
There is a determined methodology that is listed in this blog below
QS MBA Ranking: Methodology
The QS ranking system uses various measurements for its evaluation process, and these criteria are categorised into three main groups. Every ranking incorporates a distinct set of these criteria, with some requirements being common across multiple rankings while others are specific to a particular ranking subject.
Lens
A collection of indicators that are related to the same theme.
Indicator
An institution’s performance in various aspects is measured and ranked within indicators, contributing to its overall rank and score.
Metric
A more specific calculation that is part of an indicator.
Lens and indicators
In the ranking provided, each performance aspect and specific measure has its own significance, expressed through weightings, which are evaluated annually.
| Lens | Weightage | Indicator | Weightage |
| Research and Discovery | 50% | Academic Reputation | 30% |
| Citations per Faculty | 20% | ||
| Employability and Outcomes | 20% | Employer Reputation | 15% |
| Employment Outcomes | 5% | ||
| Global Engagement | 15% | International Faculty Ratio | 5% |
| International Research Network | 5% | ||
| International Student Diversity | 0% | ||
| International Student Ratio | 5% | ||
| Learning Experience | 10% | Faculty Student Ratio | 10% |
| Sustainability | 5% | Sustainability | 5% |
The indicators used in the Global MBA ranking are assigned different weights to reflect their importance in the overall ranking:
| Indicator | Weightage |
| Employer Reputation | 35% |
| Graduate Employment Rate | 5% |
| Alumni Impact | 10% |
| Entrepreneurship | 5% |
| Return on Investment (ROI) | 15% |
| Payback Month | 5% |
| Academic Reputation | 10% |
| Research Impact | 2.5% |
| Staff with PhD | 2.5% |
| Class & Faculty Diversity | 10% |
It’s important to note that when evaluating parameters like Thought Leadership, Return on Investment, Entrepreneurship & Alumni Success, and Employability, Indian institutions perform well. However, the one parameter in which they generally are left behind compared to global colleges is diversity. For instance, IIM Bangalore has a Global Ranking of 53, an Employability Score of 70.7, and a Return On Investment score of 84.8. However, its diversity score is just 23.8.
QS MBA Ranking 2025: Employability
The Employability lens in the QS MBA ranking demonstrates Employment Outcomes and its related indicators (EO), giving us an impression of how well universities prepare their students for successful careers in the medium as well as long term. In the short term, QS measures the effectiveness of the program in ensuring graduates find rewarding jobs and contribute significantly to society.
| India Rank | University Name | Employability |
| 1 | Indian Institute of Management Bangalore | 70.7 |
| 2 | Indian Institute of Management Calcutta | 68.3 |
| 3 | Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad | 64.5 |
| 4 | Indian School of Business | 54.5 |
| 5 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) – Kozhikode | 43.9 |
| 6 | Indian Institute of Management Udaipur | 42 |
| 7 | Indian Institute of Management Lucknow | 41.7 |
| 8 | XLRI- Xavier School of Management | 40.7 |
| 9 | Indian Institute of Management Indore | 40.4 |
| 10 | International Management Institute – Kolkata | 30.1 |
| 11 | Institute Of Management Technology, Ghaziabad | 30 |
| Management Development Institute Gurgaon | 30 | |
| 13 | International Management Institute – Delhi | 25.3 |
The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore leads the list with an employability score of 70.7, demonstrating that this institute has the highest employability rate among the ranked business schools. The list above contains 13 institutions, with scores ranging from 70.7 at the top to 25.3 for the institution ranked 13th (International Management Institute-Delhi).
Read More: Top MBA Colleges in India – Complete List of the Best MBA Colleges in India
QS MBA Ranking : Return On Investment
The Return on Investment (ROI) indicator is designed to identify which management institute offers strong value for their students’ money. It measures the value by comparing the average salaries students earn 10 years after graduating against the average amount they invested in obtaining their Graduate Management Education (GME) program.
| India Rank | University Name | Return on Investment |
| 1 | Indian Institute of Management Bangalore | 84.8 |
| 2 | Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad | 80.6 |
| 3 | Indian Institute of Management Calcutta | 76 |
| 4 | Indian School of Business | 71.4 |
| 5 | International Management Institute – Delhi | 70.2 |
| 6 | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) – Kozhikode | 64.4 |
| 7 | Indian Institute of Management Udaipur | 63.7 |
| 8 | Indian Institute of Management Lucknow | 60.7 |
| 9 | Indian Institute of Management Indore | 60.3 |
Searching through the different options for pursuing an MBA can be daunting, but the QS Global MBA Rankings for 2025 assist in providing a roadmap for aspirants aiming for excellence in their business education.
Read More: Top PGDM Colleges in India
QS MBA Ranking: Final Words
With Indian universities making a significant mark on the global stage, it is evident that India’s premier B-schools not only offer top-notch education but also excel in ensuring employability and promising returns on investment for their graduates.
