Top 5 MBA/PGDM Colleges in Dharwad, Ranked on Official Data
Reviewed monthly · last reviewed 1 Oct 2026 · list last changed 19 Oct 2026
| # | College | Think Grads Rating | Closing rank (General) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kle Society’s Institute Of Management Studies And Research | 3.0/5 based on 3 of 6 factors | 10,214 (Karnataka PGCET 2025) | Dharwad, Karnataka |
| 2 | Institute Of Business Management And Research | 2.5/5 based on 3 of 6 factors | 15,585 (Karnataka PGCET 2025) | Dharwad, Karnataka |
| 3 | Bright Business School | 2.4/5 based on 3 of 6 factors | 18,341 (Karnataka PGCET 2025) | Dharwad, Karnataka |
| 4 | Jain College Of Engineering & Technology | 2.4/5 based on 3 of 6 factors | 18,370 (Karnataka PGCET 2025) | Dharwad, Karnataka |
| 5 | Karnatak University | 2.3/5 based on 4 of 6 factors | 27,620 (Karnataka PGCET 2025) | Dharwad, Karnataka |
How we ranked these colleges
Colleges in NIRF's national top 100 for this course's category come first, in NIRF order, and the rest follow by the Think Grads Rating. The rating uses official data only, covering academic standing, student demand, approvals and standing, outcomes and value, and transparency. Each college is compared with every college in India that offers the same course. Dharwad has 11 rated MBA/PGDM colleges. Colleges cannot pay to be listed or to change their position.
1. Kle Society's Institute Of Management Studies And Research
Kle Society's Institute Of Management Studies And Research, Dharwad, is ranked #1 with a Think Grads Rating of 3.0. It scores higher than 54% of compared colleges on approvals and standing, 44% on official disclosures and 50% on student demand. In Karnataka PGCET 2025, round 2, its MBA closing rank for General, rest-of-Karnataka seats was 10214. That is the lowest closing rank among the five colleges on this list.
Good fit if you want a college whose 2025 counselling closing rank was 10214 and which scores well on student demand.
Cutoffs · Fees · Is it genuine? · Compare with Institute Of Business Management And Research
2. Institute Of Business Management And Research
Institute Of Business Management And Research, a private college in Dharwad, is at position 2 with a Think Grads Rating of 2.5. It scores above 54% of compared colleges on approvals and standing and above 44% on official disclosures. In Karnataka PGCET 2025, its MBA closing rank for General, rest-of-Karnataka seats was 15585 in round 3. Its student demand score is above 30% of compared colleges.
Good fit if your Karnataka PGCET rank is near the round 3 closing rank of 15585 for General category.
Cutoffs · Fees · Is it genuine? · Compare with Bright Business School
3. Bright Business School
Bright Business School, Dharwad, is ranked #3 with a Think Grads Rating of 2.4. It scores higher than 54% of compared colleges on approvals and standing and 44% on official disclosures. On student demand it scores higher than 26% of compared colleges. In Karnataka PGCET 2025, round 3, its MBA closing rank for General, rest-of-Karnataka seats was 18341.
Good fit if your Karnataka PGCET rank is around 18341 and you want a college with the same approvals and standing score as the colleges above it.
Cutoffs · Fees · Is it genuine? · Compare with Jain College Of Engineering & Technology
4. Jain College Of Engineering & Technology
Jain College Of Engineering and Technology, Dharwad, is ranked #4 with a Think Grads Rating of 2.4. It scores higher than 54% of compared colleges on approvals and standing, 44% on official disclosures and 26% on student demand. In Karnataka PGCET 2025, round 2, its MBA closing rank for General, rest-of-Karnataka seats was 18370.
Good fit if your Karnataka PGCET rank is around 18370 and you want a private college with the same approvals and standing score as the top three.
Cutoffs · Fees · Is it genuine? · Compare with Karnatak University
5. Karnatak University
Karnatak University, Dharwad, is ranked #5 with a Think Grads Rating of 2.3. NAAC graded it A with a CGPA of 3.13, valid until 10 Oct 2027. It scores higher than 82% of compared colleges on official disclosures but 12% on student demand. In Karnataka PGCET 2025, round 2, its MBA (Logistics Management) closing rank for General, rest-of-Karnataka seats was 27620.
Good fit if you want a government university with a NAAC A grade and strong official disclosures, and your PGCET rank is near 27620.
Cutoffs · Fees · Is it genuine? · Compare with Jain College Of Engineering & Technology
How the top three compare
The top three share the same scores on approvals and standing (54%) and official disclosures (44%). They differ on student demand, where Kle Society's Institute Of Management Studies And Research scores higher than 50% of compared colleges, Institute Of Business Management And Research 30% and Bright Business School 26%. Their 2025 Karnataka PGCET General closing ranks were 10214, 15585 and 18341 respectively.
How to choose, and your chances
Use this list as a starting point and compare it with your own rank, category and budget. Closing ranks differ by exam, round, category and seat type, so check the official counselling closing ranks for your category before applying. Also confirm each college's approvals. Each college on Think Grads has its own cutoff, fees and "is it genuine?" pages, and the Think Grads college finder and compare tool can help you build a shortlist.
What changed this month
- No changes this month: the latest official data did not change the order.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the top MBA/PGDM college in Dharwad?
Kle Society's Institute Of Management Studies And Research is ranked #1 on the Think Grads Rating for MBA/PGDM in Dharwad, with a rating of 3.0 on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0. The ranking uses official data only and is reviewed every month.
How many MBA/PGDM colleges in Dharwad are rated by Think Grads?
Think Grads has rated 11 MBA/PGDM colleges in Dharwad. This page lists the top five of them, ordered by the Think Grads Rating, and each college is compared with every college in India offering the same course.
What was the Karnataka PGCET 2025 closing rank for Kle Society's Institute Of Management Studies And Research?
In round 2 of Karnataka PGCET 2025, the MBA closing rank for General category, rest-of-Karnataka seats at Kle Society's Institute Of Management Studies And Research was 10214. Closing ranks change every year and round, so check the latest official data.
Which colleges are ranked second and third for MBA in Dharwad?
Institute Of Business Management And Research is ranked #2 with a Think Grads Rating of 2.5, and Bright Business School is ranked #3 with 2.4. Both are private colleges in Dharwad, Karnataka.
Is Karnatak University good for an MBA in Dharwad?
Karnatak University is ranked #5 on this list with a Think Grads Rating of 2.3. NAAC graded it A with a CGPA of 3.13, valid until 10 Oct 2027. It is a government institution.
What is the closing rank at Bright Business School for MBA?
In round 3 of Karnataka PGCET 2025, the MBA closing rank for General category, rest-of-Karnataka seats at Bright Business School was 18341. Closing ranks vary by category, round and year.
How are the top MBA/PGDM colleges in Dharwad ranked?
Colleges in NIRF's national top 100 for the category come first in NIRF order, and the rest follow by the Think Grads Rating. The rating draws on official data such as NAAC grades, counselling closing ranks, approvals and published disclosures.
Can a college pay to be ranked higher on this list?
No. Colleges cannot pay to be listed or to change their position on the list. Think Grads uses official data only, and the list is reviewed every month when new official data arrives.