Sidra Fathima
Sidra Fathima

If you're confused between IIM Kozhikode and IIM Lucknow, then you’re not the only one. These two are usually ranked among India’s best IIMs and are known for their solid academics, industry exposure, and stellar placements.

But choosing the right institute isn’t just about rankings or packages—it’s about where you’ll thrive for the next two years. So the real question is: which one suits your vibe, goals, and learning style better?

In this article, everything is broken down into simple concepts—fees, placements, admission process, recruiters, campus life, and even ROI.

Quick preview? IIM Kozhikode’s MBA will cost you around ₹17.5 lakh, while IIM Lucknowsits at ₹20 lakh. In 2024, IIM Lucknow offers an average placement of ₹32.3 LPA, while IIM Kozhikode offers ₹28.05 LPA. Now let's go into the details and figure out what works best for you.

IIMK vs IIML

IIM Kozhikode vs IIM Lucknow – Basic Overview

This table will give you a clean comparison of when each B-school started, where they stand in rankings, and what kind of campus they offer.

Feature

IIM Kozhikode (IIMK)

IIM Lucknow (IIML)

Established

1996

1984

NIRF Rank (2024)

3rd in Management

7th in Management

Location

Kozhikode, Kerala

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Programs

PGP, PGP-BL, Executive, PhD

PGP, PGP-SM, IPMX, PhD

Campus Size

112 acres

185 acres + Noida campus

So here’s the thing—Lucknow’s been around longer and has a bigger campus (plus that Noida setup), but Kozhikode has climbed the NIRF ranks like a boss.

Admission Process at IIM Kozhikode vs IIM Lucknow

If you’re wondering how they pick students—both go through CAT, interviews, and profile evaluation, but the weightage they give each part is different.

Factor

IIM Kozhikode (IIMK)

IIM Lucknow (IIML)

CAT Weightage (Final)

45%

30%

PI Weightage

44%

40%

Academic Diversity

Considered

Considered

Work Experience

Yes

Yes

WAT

Yes

Yes

IIMK leans more on your CAT score and academics. IIML, on the other hand, takes a more rounded view—so your interview game and experience could tilt things.

Programs & Course Structure – IIM Kozhikode vs IIM Lucknow

Both schools offer strong core MBA programs, but there are slight differences when it comes to additional offerings and formats.

IIM Kozhikode

  • PGP (Flagship MBA)
  • PGP in Business Leadership (PGP-BL)
  • Executive MBA (Kochi Campus)
  • Doctoral Programs

IIM Lucknow

  • PGP (Flagship MBA)
  • PGP in Sustainable Management (PGP-SM)
  • IPMX (1-Year MBA at Noida Campus)
  • FPM & Executive Programs

If you’re keen on sustainability or looking for a shorter MBA route, IIM Lucknow has more variety.

IIM Kozhikode vs IIM Lucknow – Fee Structure Comparison

Fees matter—especially when ROI is part of the decision. Here's how much you’ll pay over two years.

Institute

MBA Program Fee (2 Years)

IIM Kozhikode

₹17.5 lakh approx.

IIM Lucknow

₹20 lakh approx.

So Kozhikode gives you some breathing room financially, but again—don’t forget to weigh this against the placement figures and long-term value.

Placement Insights – IIM Kozhikode vs IIM Lucknow 2024

Now for the part that makes or breaks it for many—placements. Here’s how both performed this year.

Metric

IIM Kozhikode

IIM Lucknow

Average CTC

₹28.05 LPA

₹32.3 LPA

Median CTC

₹27 LPA

₹31 LPA

Highest Domestic CTC

₹72.02 LPA

₹75 LPA

Placement Rate

100%

100%

Both IIMs pulled off full placements, but Lucknow has a slight edge in salary numbers. Still, Kozhikode held its own with pretty competitive packages.

IIMK vs IIML – Top Recruiters

Who’s hiring from these schools? Let’s take a look.

IIM Kozhikode

  • Accenture Strategy
  • BCG
  • Deloitte
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Amazon
  • Microsoft

IIM Lucknow

  • Bain & Co.
  • BCG
  • HUL
  • TAS
  • Flipkart
  • Axis Bank

While both schools bring in big names across consulting, tech, and finance—Lucknow does get a bit more visibility in core consulting and leadership roles.

Campus Environment & Student Life

Total vibe check.

IIM Kozhikode sits in the middle of the Western Ghats—it’s green, peaceful, and ideal for people who enjoy scenic views and focus. Lucknow’s campus is bigger and busier, perfect for those who enjoy a fast-paced, event-filled B-school life.

If you want to chill and grind in peace—IIMK. If you want events, clubs, and constant hustle—IIML.

International Exchange & Global Exposure

Thinking global? Here’s how both institutes perform internationally:

Aspect

IIM Kozhikode

IIM Lucknow

Exchange Programs

30+ partner institutes

20+ global schools

Double Degree

No

Yes (with ESCP Europe)

Lucknow’s double degree with ESCP is a unique add-on. But if you want wider exchange options, Kozhikode gives you more partners to choose from.

Alumni Network and Brand Perception

Legacy vs momentum.

Lucknow has been around longer, and its alumni are in top leadership roles across sectors. Kozhikode’s network is growing fast—especially in product, analytics, and tech startups. Undoubtedly, both have a high brand value.

Final Thoughts – IIM Kozhikode or IIM Lucknow?

To summarize, IIM Lucknow is the best option for those seeking extensive consulting experience, a structured environment, and access to established networks.

Choose IIM Kozhikode if you want to maximize ROI, enjoy a quieter campus vibe, and are eyeing strong roles in tech, analytics, or product.

Both are brilliant. There’s no wrong answer. Just depends on who you are and how you want to spend the next two years of your life.

Indian Institute of Management (IIMK), Kozhikode Popular Courses

MBA / PGDM
9 Programs 2 Years

Average Fees
₹11,54,000

Highest Package
₹39 LPA

Admission 2025

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MBA / PGDM Application Open Apply Now
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Top Recruiters

Airtel Airtel
AkzoNobel India AkzoNobel India
American Express American Express
Amul Amul
Asian Paints Asian Paints
axis bank axis bank
BioCon (P)Ltd. BioCon (P)Ltd.
Bosch Ltd Bosch Ltd
Britannia Industries Britannia Industries
CAP Gemini CAP Gemini
Citi Bank Citi Bank
Colgate Palmolive India Ltd. Colgate Palmolive India Ltd.
Dabur Pharmaceutical Dabur Pharmaceutical
Deloitte Deloitte
Deutsche Bank Deutsche Bank
Dr.Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd Dr.Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd
Droege Group Droege Group
Dun & Bradstreet Dun & Bradstreet
Ernst & Young Ernst & Young
Edelweiss Edelweiss
Electrolux Kelvinator Ltd. Electrolux Kelvinator Ltd.
escorts escorts
essar group essar group
EXL Services EXL Services
Facebook Facebook
Fermenta Fermenta
FINO FINO
First Source First Source
FLIPKART FLIPKART
Flytxt Flytxt
Ford India Ltd Ford India Ltd
Franklin Templeton Investment Franklin Templeton Investment
Futures First Futures First
Gallup India Gallup India
GE Money GE Money
GECF GECF
Genpact Genpact
Godrej & Boyce Godrej & Boyce
goldman sachs goldman sachs
Google Google
Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Ltd (GSK) Glaxo Smithkline Consumer Ltd (GSK)
HCCB HCCB
HCL Info System HCL Info System
Heinz India Ltd. Heinz India Ltd.
Hewlett-Packard (HP) Hewlett-Packard (HP)
Hindustan Unilever Limited Hindustan Unilever Limited
HSBC. HSBC.
ICRA ICRA
Ingersoll Rand Ingersoll Rand
Irevna- CRISIL Irevna- CRISIL
ITC ITC
Dainik Jagran Dainik Jagran
JINDAL POWER AND STEEL JINDAL POWER AND STEEL
Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson
JPMC JPMC
JRG Securities JRG Securities
KALKI COMM. TECHNOLOGIES KALKI COMM. TECHNOLOGIES
Kelloggs Kelloggs
Kotak Mahindra Bank Kotak Mahindra Bank
KPIT Cummins KPIT Cummins
KPMG India KPMG India
Kurt Salmon Associate Kurt Salmon Associate
L’Oreal L’Oreal
L&T Ltd. L&T Ltd.
Lafarge (India) Lafarge (India)
LD Commodities LD Commodities
Marico Industries Ltd. Marico Industries Ltd.
Maruti Maruti
max newyork life max newyork life
McKinsey & Co McKinsey & Co
Mediaturf Worldwide Mediaturf Worldwide
METLIFE METLIFE
MicroLand MicroLand
microsoft microsoft
MICROSOFT(IT) MICROSOFT(IT)
Mimo Finance Mimo Finance
MindTree MindTree
MNYL MNYL
morgan stanley morgan stanley
Mother Dairy Mother Dairy
MphasiS MphasiS
MU SIGMA MU SIGMA
Muruguppa Group Muruguppa Group
MXV Consulting MXV Consulting
Naandi Foundation Naandi Foundation
National Stock Exchange National Stock Exchange
NCDEX NCDEX
NDTV NDTV
Nestle India Nestle India
Neudesic Neudesic
NIIT NIIT
Nomura Services India (P) Ltd. Nomura Services India (P) Ltd.
O3 Capital O3 Capital
Ocwen Financial Services Ocwen Financial Services
Ogilvy & Mather Ogilvy & Mather
Olam International Olam International
Oliver Wyman Oliver Wyman
Omnitech Omnitech
patni computers patni computers
Pepsico Holdings (I) Pvt. Ltd. Pepsico Holdings (I) Pvt. Ltd.
pfizer pfizer
Pidilite Industries Ltd. Pidilite Industries Ltd.
Polaris Software Polaris Software
power finance corporation power finance corporation
Procter & Gamble Procter & Gamble
pwc pwc
Ramky Group Ramky Group
Raymond Raymond
Reckitt Benckiser (I) Pvt. Ltd Reckitt Benckiser (I) Pvt. Ltd
Reliance Industries Ltd. Reliance Industries Ltd.
ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND
RPG Enterprises RPG Enterprises
SABMILLER SABMILLER
sail sail
Sap labs Sap labs
State Bank of India State Bank of India
SBI Capital Markets Ltd SBI Capital Markets Ltd
SEBI SEBI
Share Point Frontier Share Point Frontier
SONY INDIA SONY INDIA
standard chartered standard chartered
Stern Stewart & Co Stern Stewart & Co
Syntel Syntel
Tata Capital Tata Capital
TATA MOTORS TATA MOTORS
Tata Steel Tata Steel
TCS TCS
Tech Mahindra Tech Mahindra
telcon telcon
Texas Instrument Texas Instrument
Thomas Cook Thomas Cook
Titan Industries Titan Industries
Trilogy Trilogy
UB Group UB Group
Union Bank of India Union Bank of India
Usha International Usha International
Axis Bank Axis Bank
Vandana International Vandana International
Viacom Viacom
Videocon International Videocon International
VIP VIP
Wipro Silicon House Wipro Silicon House
WNS Group WNS Group
Yes Bank Yes Bank
Zee Learn Zee Learn
Zynga Zynga
Accenture Accenture
BlackRock Services BlackRock Services
Credit Suisse Business Analytics Credit Suisse Business Analytics
Deloitte Deloitte
Fidelity Fidelity
goldman sachs goldman sachs
Hindustan Unilever Limited Hindustan Unilever Limited
JP Morgan JP Morgan
JSW JSW
kpmg kpmg
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Student's Rating for Indian Institute of Management (IIMK), Kozhikode

Student Reviews & Ratings
4/5 Based on 1 Verified Reviews
Component Ratings
Faculty Rating 4.5
Infrastructure Rating 4.5
Hostel Rating 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Which IIM is older?

IIM Lucknow was established in 1984, while IIM Kozhikode came in 1996.

Which is better for consulting?

IIM Lucknow regularly recruits, as do Bain, BCG, and TAS.

What are the average packages for 2024?

₹32.3 LPA at IIM Lucknow and ₹28.05 LPA at IIM Kozhikode.

Are both campuses residential?

Yes. Both IIMK and IIML provide entirely residential MBA programs.

Which has a lower MBA fee?

IIM Kozhikode charges around ₹17.5 lakh, lesser than IIM Lucknow.

Do both offer exchange programs?

Yes, IIML also provides a dual degree with ESCP Europe.

What's student life like in Kozhikode?

Relaxed, scenic, and focused. Consider a peaceful vibe.

Does IIM Lucknow have another campus?

Yes. Their Noida campus is for executive and IPMX programs.

How big is the intake at both IIMs?

Roughly 450–500 students each year.

Who wins in ROI?

IIMK scores slightly higher due to lower fees and decent packages, but both are worth the investment.

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