Both universities are UGC-DEB entitled, and both run their MBA fully online. Everything below is their own published data, plus the 29 specializations between them that sit in our catalog.
Every line above is computed from the fee, accreditation and placement figures in the table below — we don't rank universities on anything we can't show you.
A dash means the university has not published that detail.
| Parameter | Institute of Management Technology – Centre for Distance Learning (IMT) | Shoolini University |
|---|---|---|
| Accreditation | UGC-DEB EntitledAICTE ApprovedNAAC A | UGC-DEB EntitledAICTE ApprovedNAAC A+ |
| MBA specializations in our catalog | 13 | 16 |
| Fee range (our catalog) | ₹1,10,000 – ₹1,60,000 | ₹1,58,000 |
| Full name | Institute of Management Technology – Centre for Distance Learning (IMT CDL) | Shoolini University Online |
| Location | Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh | Solan, Himachal Pradesh |
| Founded (online wing) | 1980 (CDL wing ~2000) | 2009 (online wing ~2020) |
| Official website | imtcdl.ac.in ↗ | shoolini.online ↗ |
| UGC-DEB entitled | Yes | Yes |
| AICTE approved | Yes | Yes |
| NAAC grade | A (NAAC) | A+ (NAAC) |
| NIRF ranking (management) | #68 | Emerging University (NIRF listed but not ranked) |
| International recognition | AICTE approved; AIU recognized | UGC-DEB approved; QS ranked (parent university) |
| Fee range | ₹1,10,000 – ₹1,40,000 | ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
| EMI / loan available | Yes | Yes (EMI options) |
| Scholarships | Merit-based | Merit-based; Pay-after-placement (select programs) |
| Scholarship categories | Merit Scholarship, Corporate Sponsorship, Alumni Benefits, Defence Category | Merit Scholarship, Defence Personnel, Women Learners, Sports Category, Differently-Abled Students |
| Average placement | ₹8–12 LPA | ₹8–12 LPA |
| Highest placement | ₹20–25 LPA | ₹42 LPA |
| Career services | Placement assistance (alumni network); Industry connect sessions | 250+ hiring partners; Pay-after-placement; Career coaching; Job fairs |
| Career progression after the program | Good | Average |
| Private-sector recognition | Excellent | Average |
| Most-taken program | PGDM – Marketing & Finance | MBA – HR & Marketing |
| Online programs offered | 5+ | 15+ |
| Program levels offered | PG Diploma / Executive Programs | UG / PG / Diploma / Certificate |
| Learning platform | LMS; Recorded lectures; Live expert sessions; Study material | LMS; Live + Recorded; Mobile access; Online exams |
| Faculty qualification | Min: PhD + UGC-NET / strong industry exp (MBA from reputed B-school + 10+ yrs for practitioners). Avg: ~65–70% PhD; 12–15 yrs exp. B-school heritage since 1980; faculty from IITs, IIMs, reputed MNCs; AICTE norms govern adjunct faculty. | Min: PhD mandatory (Shoolini policy requires PhD for all senior faculty). 55%+ in Masters as per UGC. Avg: ~75–80% PhD holders; 10–14 yrs exp. Faculty from IITs, IIMs, Oxford; 49 faculty in Stanford top 2% scientists list (2025). |
| Difficulty level | Very Difficult | Moderately Difficult |
| PhD-eligible after master's | Yes | Yes |
| Admission sessions | January & July | January & July |
| Entrance exam required | No (merit-based; work experience preferred) | No (merit-based) |
| Campus connect | No | No |
| Post-enrolment support | Average | Average |
| Alumni feedback on program experience | Average | Average |
| Full-time MBA rating | 4.2/5 – Strong PGDM curriculum and industry value | 3.3/5 – Growing university with modern learning platform |
| Key strength | Reputed B-school brand (IMT Ghaziabad); Executive PGDM; 5+ yrs exp preferred; Strong alumni in FMCG/Banking | Pay-after-placement scheme; 250+ hiring partners; Affordable; Pharma & Science strength |
| Unique selling point | Strong management curriculum for working professionals | NAAC A+ university with women-focused scholarships |
| See all 13 programs → | See all 16 programs → |