Amity Online and Online Manipal are two of the most searched names in India's online MBA market. Both offer a two-year, four-semester MBA delivered fully online, and sources describe both as UGC-DEB entitled. The key difference is that Amity is a single university with one fee structure, while Online Manipal runs its MBA through three universities (MUJ, MAHE and SMU) at different price points. You can explore more Online MBA options on Career Bhavan.
Fees and Payment Schedule
Amity's standard MBA is listed at about Rs 1,99,000 (roughly Rs 49,750 per semester), and dual-specialization or premium tracks at about Rs 2,99,000. Other sites quote totals from Rs 2,07,000 to Rs 3,29,000, depending on the specialization, so confirm which fee applies to your choice. Zero-cost EMI is reported from about Rs 8,292 per month.
Online Manipal's fee depends on the university. MUJ is about Rs 1,80,000 (Rs 45,000 per semester), MAHE about Rs 2,92,000 (Rs 73,000 per semester) and SMU about Rs 1,10,000. Application fees are reported at Rs 500 for MUJ and SMU and Rs 1,500 for MAHE.
In short, Manipal's MUJ and SMU options are generally cheaper than Amity, while MAHE is costlier. Fees and scholarships change between sessions, so talk to a Career Bhavan counsellor to confirm the current schedule before you apply.
Programme Structure and Specializations
Both programmes run for 2 years across 4 semesters with live and recorded classes. Amity reports online proctored exams and around 17 to 18 specializations, including Finance, Marketing, HR, Data Science, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, International Finance and Healthcare Management. MUJ lists 13 specializations, including Digital Marketing, Data Science and Fintech. MAHE offers fewer, about 8 to 9, and SMU fewer still. Specialization counts differ between sources, so confirm what is open for your intake.
Eligibility and Admission
Amity: Graduation in any discipline with at least 40% marks. Applicants below 40% can qualify through an eligibility test. No entrance exam is required.
Manipal: MUJ and SMU require a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories). MAHE also asks for 50%, and sources report that it prefers or requires work experience, with fresh graduates submitting an SOP video. Some sources mention an aptitude test or CAT score for MUJ, so confirm the current rule.
Both admissions are handled online through document submission and fee payment.
2026 Dates and the Next Intake
For the July 2026 session, sources report last dates of 25 September for Amity and between 31 August and 22 September for Manipal, with some extensions. Those cycles have now closed. The next intake is likely the January 2027 session, but confirm the exact schedule with each university. Check back on this page for the 2027 update, or browse the Amity listing and Manipal listing on Career Bhavan.
Side-by-Side Comparison
FactorAmity Online MBAManipal Online MBAStructureOne universityMUJ, MAHE and SMUTotal fee (approx.)Rs 1.99L to 2.99L+Rs 1.1L (SMU), 1.8L (MUJ), 2.92L (MAHE)Minimum marks40% (test if below)50% (45% reserved)Work experienceNot requiredNot required for MUJ and SMU, preferred or required for MAHESpecializationsAbout 17 to 1813 at MUJ, fewer at MAHE and SMUAccreditation (reported)NAAC A+MAHE NAAC A++, MUJ NAAC A+
Who Should Choose Which
Choose Amity if you want the widest choice of specializations, easier eligibility (40% marks) and a single, simple fee structure. Choose Manipal MUJ if you want a strong brand at a lower price with plenty of specializations. Choose MAHE if you want the premium Manipal brand, have work experience and can pay more. Choose SMU if budget is the priority. Neither is built around campus placements, so career outcomes depend on your profile and experience. If you are earlier in your career, explore PG courses better suited to your stage.
How They Compare to Other Online MBAs
IIM Ahmedabad's blended MBA costs roughly Rs 20,00,000 and needs entrance scores plus work experience, while IGNOU is around Rs 66,000. Amity and Manipal sit in the mid to upper range of private online MBAs. Read our reviews of the NMIMS Online MBA, the Manipal University Online MBA and the Jain University Online MBA. You can also compare colleges side by side.
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