- Executive and weekend MBAs keep you in your job and ask for work experience: two or more years at IIM Mumbai's and IIT Jodhpur's executive MBAs. A full-time MBA is a career break with campus placement.
- In our records, IIM Mumbai's weekend MBA-PGPM costs Rs 18 lakh and its one-year Wealth Management executive MBA Rs 15 lakh, against 17.9 to 27.5 lakh at the two-year IIMs. The larger saving is the income you do not give up.
- Placement support is usually absent or limited in executive programmes. IIM Mumbai's Wealth Management programme offers none.
- Full-time suits a career switch. Executive suits growth in your current field.
Executive MBA vs full-time MBA comes down to one question: do you want to move forward in your current career, or leave it and change direction? An executive MBA keeps you in your job and salary. A full-time MBA takes you out for two years in exchange for campus placement and a reset.
This post compares the two on eligibility, fees from our verified data, the cost of two years without income, placement support, credential and peers. Programme details were checked on 3 and 6 November 2026 and can move. IIM Mumbai and IIT Jodhpur executive MBAs need two or more years of work experience.
The two products: career break versus career in motion
| Executive or weekend MBA | Full-time two-year MBA | |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Weekends, live virtual or online with campus visits. 12 to 24 months in our records | Full-time and residential. 24 months |
| Your job | You keep it | You leave it |
| Entry test | Often CAT, GMAT, GRE or the programme's own test, such as IMAT at IIM Mumbai | CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP or similar |
| Experience | Two or more years at IIM Mumbai and IIT Jodhpur | Freshers accepted at most programmes |
| Placement | Not offered, not stated or support only | Campus placement with a report |
Who is each built for: eligibility and work experience
- IIM Mumbai MBA-PGPM (weekend), MBA-ePGPM (live virtual) and Executive MBA in Wealth Management: graduation plus two or more years of work experience. Entry is IMAT on 8 November 2026 or a valid CAT, GMAT or GRE score.
- IIT Jodhpur Executive MBA (Technology): at least two years of relevant full-time work and 60 percent in graduation. Entry is its own online test on 15 November 2026, with no CAT.
- NMIMS MBA (Working Executive): at least three years of work experience.
- Great Lakes PGXPM: at least eight years of work experience. It is a senior programme.
- CHRIST MBA (Executive): at least one year of experience, part-time, and you must work in Bangalore.
Full-time two-year programmes mostly take freshers and final-year students with 50 percent in graduation. ISB needs about two years of work experience.
Executive MBA vs full-time MBA: the fee side
| Programme | Format | Length | Fee | Work experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Mumbai MBA-PGPM | Weekend, Powai campus | 24 months | Rs 18 lakh (19 lakh module-wise) | 2 years or more |
| IIM Mumbai MBA-ePGPM | Live virtual | 24 months | Rs 14.5 lakh (15 lakh module-wise) | 2 years or more |
| IIM Mumbai Executive MBA, Wealth Management | Weekend | 12 months | Rs 15 lakh | 2 years or more |
| IIT Jodhpur Executive MBA (Technology) | Online, 2 campus immersions | 24 months | Rs 9.15 lakh | 2 years or more |
| Great Lakes PGXPM | Online with campus time | 18 months | Rs 13.4 lakh | 8 years or more |
| CHRIST MBA (Executive) | Part-time | 24 months | Rs 6.8 lakh (2026 brochure) | 1 year or more |
| NMIMS MBA (Working Executive) | Online with campus time | 24 months | Rs 4 lakh | 3 years or more |
Extras are not included: IIM Mumbai's Rs 3,000 application fee, IIT Jodhpur's Rs 999 test fee, campus immersions and accommodation. The institute's own FAQ quotes Rs 14.86 lakh for the ePGPM, so confirm the amount. For comparison, the two-year IIMs charge 17.9 to 27.5 lakh in our table, and IIT management schools 11.75 to 15.56 lakh.
Income side: the cost of two years off
The executive route's main saving is not the fee. A full-time MBA costs the fee plus two years of pay. For someone earning 15 lakh a year, two years is 30 lakh before tax.
- Full-time at IIM Lucknow: fee 20.75 lakh + 2 x 15 = 30 lakh of pay given up = 50.75 lakh.
- Weekend MBA-PGPM: fee 18 lakh, salary continues.
- Difference = 50.75 - 18 = 32.75 lakh.
Answer: Full-time costs about 32.75 lakh more. It is worth it only if the post-MBA role and pay differ materially from what you would reach by staying. The weekend programme gives no campus placement to make that jump.
Run your own numbers in the MBA ROI calculator. Remember that weekend study takes your weekends for two years.
Recruiting and placement support: usually different
IIM Mumbai's Executive MBA in Wealth Management offers no placement support. The IIM Mumbai MBA-PGPM and ePGPM and the IIT Jodhpur programme make no placement promise on their pages, and other online executive programmes say 'support only'. A full-time IIM publishes final placement reports: IIM Lucknow's average was 33.2 LPA and median 32.9 LPA for 2024-26.
Executive programmes are built for people who already have a job, often with an employer who sponsors them. Growth inside your company is the intended outcome, so ask HR about sponsorship.
Credential and recognition
- IIT Jodhpur: a hard-copy degree from IIT Jodhpur on completion, as the programme page describes it.
- IIM Mumbai: the ePGPM and the PGPM are separate programmes. Check what each certificate says before you choose, because we do not say they are equal.
- Great Lakes PGXPM: its page describes an executive MBA but does not name PGDM or AICTE status for the credential. Ask.
In every case, read the certificate wording: degree or diploma, and the awarding body.
Peers and network
Full-time cohorts are early in their careers. Average work experience is about two years: 24 months at IIM Ahmedabad (2026-28), 27 months at IIM Bangalore (2026-28) and 22.6 months at IIM Calcutta (2024-26). ISB's Class of 2026 averaged four years.
Executive cohorts are working professionals, so classmates can become clients, partners and referrers. Weekend and online formats leave little room for clubs and campus life.
A decision tree by experience and goal
| Your situation | Lean toward |
|---|---|
| Under 2 years, want to switch field | Full-time two-year MBA. Check options in the MBA Predictor |
| 2 to 5 years, want a pivot into consulting, product or finance | Full-time. One-year programmes such as ISB (GMAT or GRE, 2 years or more) or Great Lakes Chennai PGPM (2 years or more, 19.25 lakh) exist |
| 5 or more years, growing in your current track | Executive or weekend MBA |
| 8 or more years, senior role | Senior executive programmes such as Great Lakes PGXPM |
| Want a degree, not a job change | Online or part-time executive programme |
The IMAT and IIM Mumbai executive MBAs page has the current dates and fees.