IIM Ahmedabad vs. IIM Mumbai: Which institute wins the placement race?

Two of India’s premier management institutes, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and the Indian Institute of Management Mumbai, are dream schools for many aspiring management students. In the NIRF Rankings 2024 for the management category, IIM Ahmedabad holds the top position, while IIM Mumbai secured sixth place. In fact, since 2021, both institutes have consistently ranked in the top 10 of the management category.So, what sets these institutes apart? Beyond their distinguished faculty, advanced courses, research facilities, and impressive campuses, one major differentiator is their placement records. Today, we will compare which of these esteemed IIMs excels more in terms of placements.

So which institute is better in terms of placement records? Here is a look at the last three years’ data of both the institutes published by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) under the management category 2024:
(PG 2 year programme)

In the academic year 2020-21, IIM Ahmedabad graduated 429 students, with 428 securing placements and a median salary of Rs 27.6 lakh, while one student opted for higher studies. In contrast, IIM Mumbai had 519 graduates, all placed, with a median salary of Rs 25.8 lakh. Despite IIM Mumbai's larger cohort and 100% placement rate, IIM Ahmedabad offered a higher median salary.
In 2021-22, IIM Ahmedabad's graduating class increased to 432, with 431 placed and a median salary rising to Rs 30 lakh. Meanwhile, IIM Mumbai graduated 521 students, maintaining a high placement rate with a median salary of Rs 31 lakh.
By 2022-23, IIM Ahmedabad graduated 435 students, 423 of whom were placed, achieving a median salary of Rs 31 lakh, while 12 chose higher studies. IIM Mumbai’s graduating class consisted of 490 students, all placed, with a median salary of Rs 32 lakh.
Overall, IIM Ahmedabad displayed a consistent upward trend in median salaries, while IIM Mumbai maintained strong placement numbers. Although IIM Mumbai leads in total placements, IIM Ahmedabad’s higher salary trajectory reflects its emphasis on quality over quantity.