XLRI Jamshedpur PGDM HRM vs IIM Ranchi MBA: Fees, Placements, ROI & Career Scope

For many MBA aspirants, XLRI Jamshedpur vs IIM Ranchi is one of the most practical dilemmas during admission season—especially for those choosing between XLRI's PGDM in HRM and IIM Ranchi's MBA (General, HR, and Business Analytics). Both are respected names among the top MBA colleges in India, but they offer very different pathways, fee structures, exams, and career outcomes.

Below is a detailed comparison prepared on behalf of Prof. Route by MyCollegeRoute.com, using key data points such as fees, CTCs, batch size, and entrance exams, along with broader factors such as curriculum, roles, and ROI.

1. XLRI Jamshedpur vs IIM Ranchi – At a Glance

• XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur

  • Flagship program in this comparison: PGDM (Human Resource Management – HRM)
  • Program type: AICTE-approved PGDM, globally respected as a specialised HR program
  • Exam accepted: XAT
  • Fees (approx.): ?30.6 lakh
  • Highest CTC (latest creative): ?75 lakh
  • Average CTC: ?31.08 lakh
  • Batch size (HRM): ~180 students

• IIM Ranchi – Indian Institute of Management Ranchi

  • Programs in this comparison: MBA (General), MBA (HR), MBA (Business Analytics)
  • Program type: MBA degree under the IIM Act
  • Exam accepted: CAT
  • Fees (approx.): ?20.9 lakh
  • Highest CTC (latest creative): ?50.39 lakh
  • Average CTC: ?19.29 lakh
  • Batch size (overall MBA cohort): ~250 students

Both institutes regularly appear in discussions on the best MBA colleges in India. Still, they occupy slightly different positions: XLRI is traditionally seen as the gold standard for HR, while IIM Ranchi is a fast-growing new-generation IIM with strong offerings in General Management, HR, and Business Analytics.

2. PGDM vs MBA – Does the Degree Name Matter?

One of the most common searches by aspirants is “PGDM vs MBA, which is better?”

• XLRI offers a PGDM (HRM), but in the corporate world, it is treated on par with or above most MBAs because of XLRI’s legacy, academic rigour, and alum network. For HR roles, especially CHRO-track positions, XLRI PGDM-HRM is considered a benchmark qualification.
• IIM Ranchi offers an MBA degree (General, HR, and BA). Under the IIM Act, all IIMs award MBAs instead of diplomas, which is helpful for some global and government roles that explicitly use the word “degree”.

From a placement and career perspective, recruiters rarely differentiate between a strong PGDM and an MBA. What matters more is brand, curriculum, and skillset.

3. Entrance Exams: XAT vs CAT

Another key difference is the exam pathway:

• XLRI Jamshedpur – PGDM HRM via XAT

  • You must appear for XAT 2026 (or relevant year) and select XLRI HRM as a preferred program.
  • XAT is known for its decision-making section and a slightly different pattern from CAT.
  • Cut-offs are typically very high for XLRI HRM, making it one of the most competitive PGDM programs in HR in India.

• IIM Ranchi MBA – via CAT

  • You apply through CAT 2025/2026 scores as part of the IIM standard process.
  • Shortlisting is done based on CAT percentile, academic profile, work experience, and category.
  • For many aspirants already preparing for CAT, IIM Ranchi becomes a natural choice because they don’t need to write an additional exam like XAT.

If you are already very confident in CAT and not keen on managing two major exams, the IIM Ranchi MBA route is more straightforward. If you are specifically targeting XLRI or other XAT colleges, preparing for XAT’s pattern is essential.

4. Fees, CTC, and ROI Comparison

Using the numbers in the creative, we can roughly compare cost and outcomes.

XLRI Jamshedpur – PGDM HRM

• Program fee: Rs. 30.6 lakh
• Average CTC: Rs. 31.08 LPA
• Highest CTC: Rs. 75 LPA
• Batch size: 180

This means the average annual salary is almost equal to the total program fee, giving a payback period of about 1–2 years for many students, depending on take-home salary and living costs. For a specialised HR program, this is among the strongest ROI figures in the country.

IIM Ranchi – MBA (General / HR / BA)

• Program fee: Rs. 20.9 lakh
• Average CTC: Rs. 19.29 LPA
• Highest CTC: Rs. 50.39 LPA
• Batch size: 250

Here too, on average, the first-year salary is comparable to the tuition fee, giving a payback period of roughly 1.5–2.5 years for many students. For a new-generation IIM, this is a solid ROI and places IIM Ranchi comfortably in the “value for money” bracket among top MBA colleges accepting CAT scores.

Takeaway on ROI:

• XLRI HRM offers slightly higher average CTC but also charges higher fees.
• IIM Ranchi is more affordable but with correspondingly lower—but still strong—average packages.
• In both cases, ROI is favourable compared to many private MBA colleges in India.

5. Curriculum & Specialisations: Depth vs Flexibility

XLRI PGDM (HRM) – Deep HR Focus

The PGDM HRM at XLRI is widely considered India’s most prestigious HR program.

Key features typically include:

• Strong foundation in OB, Industrial Relations, Labour Laws, and HR Analytics
• Focused courses in talent management, compensation, organisation development, HR strategy, and workforce planning
• Integration of psychometrics, behavioural sciences, and HR tech
• Live projects, internships, and HR-focused competitions with leading recruiters

If you already know you want to build a long-term career in HR—eventually moving towards roles like HR Business Partner, CHRO, OD Consultant, or HR Analytics Lead—XLRI offers depth and brand recall unmatched in the HR domain.

IIM Ranchi MBA – Multi-track Choice (General, HR, BA)

IIM Ranchi gives you three distinct MBA pathways:

1. MBA (General) – Broad base across marketing, finance, operations, strategy, and analytics.
2. MBA (HR) – A strong HR program that has quickly built its own identity among top HR MBA colleges in India.
3. MBA (Business Analytics) – Designed for those targeting data-driven roles in analytics, product, consulting, and digital transformation.

This makes IIM Ranchi attractive if you:

• Want the flexibility to explore multiple domains
• Are interested in analytics and technology-heavy roles
• Prefer building a profile that blends functional skills with data and strategy

In short: XLRI = deep, flagship HR degree; IIM Ranchi = broader set of options across General, HR, and Analytics.

6. Placements & Roles: What Do You Actually Do After Graduation?

XLRI HRM – Placement Snapshot

Given its legacy, XLRI’s HRM graduates are recruited by:

• Top Indian and global conglomerates (Tata Group companies, Aditya Birla Group, Mahindra, etc.)
• Global MNCs in FMCG, consulting, e-commerce, tech, BFSI
• Many are hired directly into leadership tracks, HRBP roles, and flagship management trainee programs.

The average CTC of Rs. 31.08 LPA and the highest CTC of Rs. 75 LPA from the creative highlight the premium recruiters place on XLRI’s HRM brand.

IIM Ranchi MBA – Placement Snapshot

IIM Ranchi’s MBA graduates—across General, HR, and BA—typically join roles such as:

• Management consulting, product management, and analytics
• Marketing, sales, category management, and digital growth roles
• Corporate finance, risk, banking, and financial services
• HR Business Partner and Talent Management positions (for MBA HR)

The Rs. 19.29 LPA average CTC and Rs. 50.39 LPA highest CTC make IIM Ranchi very competitive for a new IIM, especially considering its diverse recruiter base and strengthening alumni network.

7. Batch Size, Peer Group & Learning Environment

• XLRI HRM – 180 students
  • Smaller, more cohesive cohort.
  • Intense peer learning, especially in HR case discussions, simulations, and union-management role plays.
  • Powerful alumni presence in HR and leadership roles across industries.
• IIM Ranchi – 250 students (across MBA programs)
  • Slightly larger cohort, but still manageable compared to some highly crowded campuses.
  • Offers greater diversity across backgrounds (engineering, commerce, arts, core analytics), which is helpful for group projects and peer learning.
  • Alumni base is younger than XLRI’s but growing quickly, particularly in consulting, IT/analytics, and BFSI.

If you value a tight-knit, HR-centric peer group, XLRI has an edge. If you want a broader, more mixed batch across three specialisations, IIM Ranchi is a better fit.

8. Who Should Choose XLRI Jamshedpur PGDM (HRM)?

XLRI HRM is likely the better choice if:

• You are absolutely clear about building a career in Human Resources.
• You are comfortable writing XAT and preparing for its Decision Making and Verbal-heavy pattern.
• You want to be part of a legacy HR brand that recruiters automatically recognise.
• You are okay with a higher fee in return for premium HR placements and global recognition.
• You see yourself, 10–15 years later, targeting CHRO / Head-HR / Talent Strategy roles.

Typical aspirant profile for XLRI HRM:

Strong communication skills, interest in people management and organisational behaviour, willingness to handle complex people issues and change management.

9. Who Should Choose IIM Ranchi MBA (General / HR / BA)?

IIM Ranchi will appeal more if:

• You want the IIM tag and the flexibility of multiple specialisations.
• You are preparing for CAT 2025 and prefer not to add XAT to your exam list.
• You are interested in Analytics, Consulting, Product, or General Management as much as HR.
• You want comparatively lower fees with a still strong average package and ROI.
• You prefer a campus with a fast-growing reputation and improving NIRF and placement numbers year on year.

Typical aspirant profile for IIM Ranchi:

Students who are career-flexible, open to exploring multiple roles, and keen to blend functional management with strong analytics and decision-making skills.

10. XLRI vs IIM Ranchi – Quick Verbal Snapshot

Instead of a table, here’s a crisp sentence-wise comparison you can remember:

• Brand Legacy: XLRI is an older, specialised HR powerhouse; IIM Ranchi is a younger but rapidly rising IIM.
• Program Type: XLRI offers PGDM in HRM; IIM Ranchi offers MBA in General, HR, and Business Analytics.
• Entrance Exam: XLRI = XAT; IIM Ranchi = CAT.
• Fees: XLRI is costlier (Rs. 30.6 L); IIM Ranchi is more affordable (Rs. 20.9 L).
• Average CTC: XLRI Rs. 31.08 LPA; IIM Ranchi Rs. 19.29 LPA.
• Best For: XLRI = serious HR careers; IIM Ranchi = multi-domain management and analytics careers with IIM branding.

11. How MyCollegeRoute Helps You Decide

For many aspirants searching “XLRI vs IIM Ranchi, which is better?”, the final decision depends on:

• Percentile – XAT vs CAT score
• Career clarity – HR-only vs open to multiple domains
• Budget & ROI – how much you’re comfortable investing
• Location & personal constraints

On MyCollegeRoute.com, you can:

• Compare XLRI HRM and IIM Ranchi MBA on fees, cut-offs, placements, batch size, ROI, and scholarships
• Use tools like the MBA college predictor and B-school comparison to see where your CAT/XAT percentile realistically stands
• Read data-backed articles and IIM/XLRI admission criteria updated every cycle

This ensures your decision is research-driven rather than based on hearsay or random rankings.