Which is cheaper, SPJIMR or IIM Kozhikode?

Kozhikode, by Rs 1,36,000 on the printed two-year figures re-read 5 October 2026: Rs 23,50,000 on the signed Programmes Office table against SPJIMR's Rs 24,86,000 — and SPJIMR marks its figure indicative and subject to revision while Kozhikode's is a signed batch document. Both are residential: SPJIMR's figure includes basic hostel, Kozhikode's hostel charges sit inside its per-year total with mess on a refundable deposit outside it.

What exams does each accept?

SPJIMR accepts CAT or GMAT — the GMAT door matters for candidates who miss CAT or score better on the GMAT's adaptive format. Kozhikode accepts CAT alone for its two-year PGP: CAT 2026 registration closed 15 September 2026, and shortlist registration happens on the institute's own Stage-1 portal after the result. A GMAT-only candidate can reach SPJIMR but not Kozhikode.

How do the two shortlists actually differ?

SPJIMR sorts applicants into profile-based and profile-cum-score groups — a distinctive profile (academics, work relevance, versatility, achievements) can earn an interview call before the score does the talking. Kozhikode runs a printed formula: you must first clear 85 overall with 75 sectionals and 60% in each of Class X, XII and graduation, then a Stage-2 index (CAT 50, X 15, XII 20, diversity 10/5, work-ex 5) decides the WAT-PI call, and a final formula (CAT 35, PI 35, WAT 20, resume 10) decides the offer. SPJIMR's process rewards the story; Kozhikode's rewards the transcript.

Is there a management quota at SPJIMR or IIM Kozhikode?

Neither prints one. SPJIMR's disclaimer is verbatim: admission is strictly merit-based, the institute has no quota of any kind, it never appoints an intermediary, and anyone claiming confirmed admission for a fee should not be engaged. Kozhikode's policy carries the IIM clauses — no authorised agent, no postponement, admission only through the printed three-stage CAT process. A paid-seat offer at either contradicts both documents, opened today.

How do placements compare?

SPJIMR publishes its block: the PGDM page prints highest Rs 81 lakh, average Rs 32.10 lakh, median Rs 30 lakh for the combined PGDM/PGDM(BM) process (re-read 29 September 2026). Kozhikode's public pages carry no consolidated salary table — an evidence gap we state rather than fill. On published evidence alone, SPJIMR's placement block is among the most transparent in the country; Kozhikode's outcomes are strong by reputation but not publicly tabulated.

Which application windows are live right now?

SPJIMR's, concretely: 15 September to 27 November 2026, Rs 2,500, on CAT or GMAT. Kozhikode's PGP cycle is exam-led — CAT 2026 sits 29 November, results land early January 2027, and the institute's Stage-1 registration follows; watch iimk.ac.in in the result week rather than waiting for a reminder.

SPJIMR vs IIM Kozhikode: Rs 1.36 Lakh Apart, Two Different Shortlists

SPJIMR vs IIM Kozhikode: Rs 24,86,000 indicative against the signed Rs 23,50,000 — CAT-or-GMAT profile shortlists against CAT-only with printed floors.

By Piyush Agarwal, 10 years in direct admissions counselling · Reviewed by Piyush Agarwal · Last verified 5 October 2026 · every claim linked to its source · Latest change: Initial publication; both sides re-read today. SPJIMR's fees-scholarships page re-opened: Indian participants Rs 24,86,000 including tuition and basic hostel, marked indicative and subject to revision; international Rs 34,77,500 (a second international line at Rs 33.32 lakh includes standard Global Fast Track charges, travel and stay extra); GFT and International Exchange optional and outside the fee; financial assistance as tuition reimbursement after commencement; Mirae Asset Foundation scholarships Rs 5 lakh each to two first-year and two second-year participants below the Rs 8 lakh family-income line. SPJIMR's admissions page re-opened: Batch 2027-29 application 15 September-27 November 2026, Rs 2,500 processing fee, CAT and GMAT accepted, 50% graduation bar, freshers to five years' work experience, profile-based and profile-cum-score shortlists, 36 AICTE international seats, the verbatim no-quota no-intermediary disclaimer. IIM Kozhikode's signed fee PDF re-read from the rendered scan today: Rs 11,75,000 a year x 2 = Rs 23,50,000, mess via the Rs 40,000-a-term refundable deposit outside the total; the 2026-28 admissions policy re-read today: General 85 overall with 75 sectionals, 60% in each of Class X, XII and graduation, Stage-2 index CAT 50/X 15/XII 20/diversity 10-5/work-ex 5, final CAT 35/PI 35/WAT 20/resume 10 (Oct 2026)

The short answer

As of 5 October 2026, SPJIMR Mumbai prices its PGDM at Rs 24,86,000 including basic hostel (indicative) against IIM Kozhikode's signed Rs 23,50,000 — Rs 1.36 lakh apart. SPJIMR accepts CAT or GMAT with profile-based shortlisting to 27 November; Kozhikode admits through CAT alone behind printed 85/75 minimums and a 60-percent academic floor. Neither prints a management quota.

Two of India’s most selective management programmes sit just Rs 1.36 lakh apart on paper — and could not select more differently. SPJIMR Mumbai prices its PGDM at Rs 24,86,000 including basic hostel, indicative; IIM Kozhikode’s signed fee table prints Rs 23,50,000 for the 2026-28 batch. Both documents were re-read today, 5 October 2026. This is the comparison for the candidate whose CAT range straddles both — and for the GMAT candidate who only has one of these doors.

The two bills, side by side

	SPJIMR Mumbai (PGDM 2027-29)	IIM Kozhikode (PGP 2026-28)
Two-year total	Rs 24,86,000 (indicative, subject to revision)	Rs 23,50,000 (signed batch table)
What’s inside	Tuition + basic hostel	Tuition Rs 7,00,000/yr + hostel, library, books, activities
Mess	Basic hostel inside; mess per usage	Rs 40,000/term refundable deposit, OUTSIDE the total
International line	Rs 34,77,500 (Rs 33.32L with standard GFT)	Supernumerary route per the policy
Concessions	Tuition reimbursement + Mirae Asset Rs 5L awards below the Rs 8L income line	Institute scholarships per policy
Application	Rs 2,500, 15 Sep-27 Nov 2026	CAT 2026 (closed 15 Sep), institute Stage-1 after results

One nuance the headline figures hide: SPJIMR’s Global Fast Track and International Exchange sit outside the fee and can add real money to the second year; Kozhikode’s International Immersion (for PGP-Finance and PGP-LSM) is likewise borne by the student. Compare the like-for-like core: Rs 24.86 lakh against Rs 23.50 lakh.

Two shortlist philosophies

SPJIMR shortlists the person. Applications run 15 September to 27 November 2026 on CAT or GMAT. Profiles are sorted into profile-based and profile-cum-score groups — a distinctive record (consistent academics, relevant work, versatility, achievement) can earn the interview before the percentile does the heavy lifting. Freshers to five years’ experience are eligible on a 50% graduation bar.

Kozhikode shortlists the transcript. The printed floor — General 85 overall, 75 per section, 60% in each of Class X, XII and graduation — is absolute. Then the formula: Stage-2 index CAT 50/X 15/XII 20/diversity 10-5/work-ex 5 for the WAT-PI call; final score CAT 35/PI 35/WAT 20/resume 10 for the offer. There is no profile lane around a weak Class XII; the 60% floor is the single most-missed bar in this comparison.

The placement evidence, labelled

SPJIMR publishes: highest Rs 81 lakh, average Rs 32.10 lakh, median Rs 30 lakh on the combined PGDM/PGDM(BM) process (the official page, re-read 29 September 2026). Kozhikode does not publish a consolidated salary table — we say so plainly instead of borrowing aggregator estimates. On evidence standards alone, SPJIMR’s block is the more auditable document; Kozhikode’s outcomes are excellent by recruiter lists and reputation, but not publicly tabulated.

The quota question, answered from print

SPJIMR’s disclaimer is one of the strongest printed anywhere: strictly merit-based, no quota of any kind, no intermediary ever, and a direct warning against anyone claiming confirmed admission for a fee. Kozhikode’s policy carries the IIM clauses — no authorised agent, the three-stage CAT process or nothing. A paid-seat offer at either contradicts both institutes’ own pages, opened today.

Who should pick which

Pick SPJIMR if you hold (or can realistically hold) a GMAT alongside or instead of CAT, your profile is distinctive beyond the percentile, Mumbai’s recruiter geography matters, and the indicative-plus-GFT bill is budgeted honestly.
Pick Kozhikode if your academics clear the 60/60/60 floor, CAT is your instrument, and the IIM degree at Rs 1.36 lakh less with a signed fee table outweighs SPJIMR’s placement transparency for your target roles.
Either way — if both doors are live, run both: SPJIMR’s form is open now and closes 27 November, two days before CAT sits on 29 November; Kozhikode’s Stage-1 registration follows the result in January. File SPJIMR before test day, and let the offers — not the brands — decide.

How Udaan helps

From first question to final admission.

01

Free, honest first read

Share scores, category and budget on WhatsApp; a counsellor tells you which routes are genuinely open — including when the honest answer is none.
02

A shortlist with reasons

Colleges that fit the profile, each with the published fee, the real admission route and what it takes to convert.
03

Guided to the seat

Applications, documents, selection rounds and counselling dates handled step by step, up to enrolment.

Udaan is an independent practice: no partner colleges, no commissions from any institute we recommend, and every fee is paid to the college directly — never to us.

WhatsApp a counsellor

Straight answers

Which is cheaper, SPJIMR or IIM Kozhikode?: Kozhikode, by Rs 1,36,000 on the printed two-year figures re-read 5 October 2026: Rs 23,50,000 on the signed Programmes Office table against SPJIMR's Rs 24,86,000 — and SPJIMR marks its figure indicative and subject to revision while Kozhikode's is a signed batch document. Both are residential: SPJIMR's figure includes basic hostel, Kozhikode's hostel charges sit inside its per-year total with mess on a refundable deposit outside it.
What exams does each accept?: SPJIMR accepts CAT or GMAT — the GMAT door matters for candidates who miss CAT or score better on the GMAT's adaptive format. Kozhikode accepts CAT alone for its two-year PGP: CAT 2026 registration closed 15 September 2026, and shortlist registration happens on the institute's own Stage-1 portal after the result. A GMAT-only candidate can reach SPJIMR but not Kozhikode.
How do the two shortlists actually differ?: SPJIMR sorts applicants into profile-based and profile-cum-score groups — a distinctive profile (academics, work relevance, versatility, achievements) can earn an interview call before the score does the talking. Kozhikode runs a printed formula: you must first clear 85 overall with 75 sectionals and 60% in each of Class X, XII and graduation, then a Stage-2 index (CAT 50, X 15, XII 20, diversity 10/5, work-ex 5) decides the WAT-PI call, and a final formula (CAT 35, PI 35, WAT 20, resume 10) decides the offer. SPJIMR's process rewards the story; Kozhikode's rewards the transcript.
Is there a management quota at SPJIMR or IIM Kozhikode?: Neither prints one. SPJIMR's disclaimer is verbatim: admission is strictly merit-based, the institute has no quota of any kind, it never appoints an intermediary, and anyone claiming confirmed admission for a fee should not be engaged. Kozhikode's policy carries the IIM clauses — no authorised agent, no postponement, admission only through the printed three-stage CAT process. A paid-seat offer at either contradicts both documents, opened today.
How do placements compare?: SPJIMR publishes its block: the PGDM page prints highest Rs 81 lakh, average Rs 32.10 lakh, median Rs 30 lakh for the combined PGDM/PGDM(BM) process (re-read 29 September 2026). Kozhikode's public pages carry no consolidated salary table — an evidence gap we state rather than fill. On published evidence alone, SPJIMR's placement block is among the most transparent in the country; Kozhikode's outcomes are strong by reputation but not publicly tabulated.
Which application windows are live right now?: SPJIMR's, concretely: 15 September to 27 November 2026, Rs 2,500, on CAT or GMAT. Kozhikode's PGP cycle is exam-led — CAT 2026 sits 29 November, results land early January 2027, and the institute's Stage-1 registration follows; watch iimk.ac.in in the result week rather than waiting for a reminder.

Sources

Page updated 5 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change; confirm with the institution and the official authority before acting.

Plan the admit, honestly.