PGDM Course Fees for 2024 Registration

The postgraduate diploma in management (PGDM) is a popular course for postgraduates looking to work in a business environment or those planning to set up a business. Course fees will vary depending on where you enroll and the specialisation you opt to study. Despite the initial financial outlay, PGDM graduates can secure good jobs and earn high salaries. This article will explain what a PGDM course entails and why you might choose it. It will also discuss PGDM course fees according to individual course providers, your chosen specialisation, and the salary you can earn once you graduate.

What is a PGDM?

Independent business schools and institutions across India offer this two-year business management course. Designed for students who want a management-level career in various industries, this course provides ample opportunities to hone essential skills, including leadership and analytical abilities. Industry professionals built the PGDM emphasising industry requirements and the opportunity to learn hands-on skills while learning at an academic level. It covers a wide range of skills and disciplines while also allowing you to specialise in an industry of your choice. 

With a primary focus on industry, course providers annually adapt the course to align with new trends and industry standards. This results in the course always being up-to-date and niche. The PGDM is highly regarded in business and rivals the Master of Business Administration (MBA). 

Why study a PGDM?

The PGDM is a highly regarded course as it allows you to study business and tailor your course to the industry of your choice by choosing a specialisation. Generally, the course follows four semesters, with the first two being core and the latter concentrating on your chosen specialisation. Core subjects include finance and accounting, business law, marketing basics, and organisational behaviour. 

Aside from being able to specialise, you’ll find several other benefits from choosing a PGDM course, including:

• Industry experience: The PGDM enhances your chances of getting placements in the industry and the benefits of teaching from industry professionals.

• Boost in career choices: The PGDM is highly regarded in the business sector and can be a step into a high-level business with transferable skills across industries and companies. 

• High salary: Graduating with a PGDM qualification can allow you to access higher-paid roles. It is a highly regarded industry qualification that gives employers confidence, elevating you to management positions.

• Networking: On a course heavily based on industry, it’s a great opportunity to meet professionals you can learn from.

• Entrepreneurial skills: The skills you learn during a PGDM course may help you start your own business or work in a company.

How much does a PGDM cost?

PGDM courses vary in cost depending on where you study and the specialisation you choose. Generally, a PGDM costs anywhere from ₹95,000 to ₹1,50,000 for some of the top independent schools [1]. 

PGDM course fees by specialisation

The price of a PGDM is dependent on the specialisation you choose. While the cost also differs according to the business school you attend, the average course fees per specialisation, according to CollegeDunia, are as follows [2]:

• PGDM International Business: ₹4,00,000–₹10,00,000

• PGDM Operations Management: ₹3,00,000–₹10,00,000

• PGDM Business Analytics: ₹4,00,000–₹12,00,000

• PGDM Marketing: ₹4,00,000–₹8,00,000

• PGDM Finance: ₹5,00,000–₹10,00,000

• PGDM HR: ₹4,00,000–₹8,00,000

• PGDM Supply Chain Management: ₹5,00,000–₹12,00,000

PGDM course fees by university

When looking for a PGDM course, you must research to find a course appropriate for your budget. Some examples of course fees, including tuition, programme, and extra fees and accommodation for 2024, include:

• Great Lakes Institute of Management: ₹20,80,000 [3]

• SP Jain Institute of Management and Research: ₹24,00,000  [4]

• Indian Institute of Management: ₹31,00,000 [5]

• Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS): ₹5,50,000 [6]

PGDM course fees at top business schools

The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranks Indian PGDM course providers yearly and produces a list of the top 20 courses. Often, the top-ranked schools have the highest fees, but this isn’t always the case, and it can depend on the school's reputation in general. The top five PGDM courses as ranked by NIRF and associated fees are as follows [7]:

1. Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA): ₹30,00,000

2. Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB): ₹23,00,000

3. AIMS Institutes: ₹9,11,000

4. Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK): ₹20,50,000

5. Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning In Management (EIILM): ₹5,95,000

Financial aid

The fees for a PGDM and other postgraduate courses are high and can be difficult to fund. However, you may be eligible for some financial aid.

Some schools offer scholarships. It’s advisable to do your research to find those that have something relevant to you. Many schools, including Soil Institute of Management and Goa Institute of Management, offer a range of scholarships to support students from low-income families and those with an excellent academic record. If financial aid is not available, you may be able to get an education loan at a nominal interest rate. 

PGDM salary and job outlook

The PGDM is a popular course that is widely acknowledged in the industry. Therefore, career options are plentiful after completion, often in positions with high salaries. 

According to College Dekho, the average annual salary for a fresher following a PGDM is ₹1,60,000 to ₹7,73,000 [1]. The precise salary varies according to the role you work in. Some possible career routes following a PGDM and average annual base salary include the following:

• Research analyst: ₹6,00,000

• Business analyst: ₹8,20,000

• Product manager: ₹19,60,000

• Human resources manager:₹10,26,000

• Content marketing manager: ₹11,20,000

• Brand manager: ₹15,25,000

• Operations manager: ₹11,50,000

• Supply chain manager: ₹15,00,000

*All salary information is sourced from Glassdoor as of July 2024.

Get started with Coursera.

If an online PGDM course interests you, consider SP Jain Institute of Management and Research’s Post Graduate Diploma in Management Online on Coursera, designed to allow you to study your PGDM remotely in a flexible way that suits you. Alternatively, you might consider an MBA, which is also available online, such as an Online Master of Business Administration (iMBA) delivered by the University of Illinois.