Choosing an MBA college in Kathmandu is one of the most consequential decisions you'll make for your management career. Unlike a BBA — where the college name matters less than the degree — the MBA institution you pick in Nepal directly affects the network you build, the recruiters who visit campus, and how seriously your qualification is taken in Nepal's corporate sector.

MBA in Nepal — What You Need to Know First

Before comparing colleges, here is the landscape.

MBA programs in Nepal are offered under four universities: Tribhuvan University (TU), Kathmandu University (KU), Pokhara University (PU), and Purbanchal University (PuU) — as well as through foreign-affiliated colleges. TU offers the most affordable route with the widest coverage. KU leans into academic rigour and research. PU blends practical learning with modern curriculum. Foreign-affiliated colleges offer international degrees at premium fees.

Standard MBA eligibility in Nepal:

Minimum bachelor's degree (3 years) in any discipline
TU: Minimum 45% or second division at bachelor's level; CMAT required
KU (KUSOM): Minimum bachelor's degree; KUUMAT entrance test, written English test, group discussion, and personal interview
PU: Minimum CGPA 2.0 at bachelor's level; PU entrance test and interview
Executive MBA (EMBA): All of the above plus minimum 2 years of managerial work experience

Average MBA fees in Nepal: NPR 4–7 lakh for TU and PU programs; NPR 8–15 lakh for KU and premium private colleges; NPR 15–25 lakh for foreign-affiliated programs.

Top MBA Colleges in Kathmandu 2026

1. Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) — KU, Balkumari

KUSOM is the undisputed pioneer of MBA education in Nepal. Established in 1993, it was the first institute to offer an MBA program in Nepal — and it remains the most prestigious and competitive MBA college in Kathmandu more than three decades later.

The KUSOM MBA is a 2-year program spread over 6 terms, combining foundational business management with entrepreneurship, leadership, and a mandatory internship in the final term at a top management organisation. KUSOM also offers an Executive MBA (EMBA) with Saturday full-day classes and two to three evenings per week — designed for working professionals.

Admission process: KUUMAT entrance test (verbal and quantitative reasoning, data interpretation, English proficiency), written English test, group discussion, and personal interview. All four rounds matter — a strong entrance score alone doesn't guarantee admission.

Location: Balkumari, Lalitpur Affiliation: Kathmandu University (KU) Fees: Approximately NPR 8–12 lakh for the full 2-year MBA Best for: Students who want Nepal's most prestigious MBA brand and can handle the rigorous selection process

Official website →

2. Faculty of Management (FOM), Tribhuvan University — MBS / MBA

The TU Faculty of Management offers the most affordable MBA pathway in Kathmandu through its constituent campuses — Shanker Dev Campus (Putalisadak), Public Youth Campus (Thamel), and Nepal Commerce Campus (Minbhawan). The TU program is technically called MBS (Master of Business Studies) at constituent campuses, though a distinct MBA is also available through TU-affiliated private colleges.

TU's MBS is the most widely pursued management master's degree in Nepal. Its reach, affordability, and Lok Sewa Aayog recognition make it the go-to choice for students planning government or banking careers.

Admission: CMAT (Central Management Admission Test) for TU-affiliated private colleges; constituent campuses have their own entrance processes Fees: Government constituent campus — NPR 2–4 lakh total; private TU-affiliated colleges — NPR 5–8 lakh Best for: Students targeting government sector careers, banking, or who need the most affordable management postgraduate option in Kathmandu

3. Ace Institute of Management — PU, Old Baneshwor

Ace Institute of Management is consistently ranked among the top MBA colleges in Kathmandu for Pokhara University affiliation. Located in Old Baneshwor, it is specifically designed for management education and offers both a regular MBA and an EMBA.

The PU MBA at Ace is a 66-credit-hour, 2-year trimester program with concentration options in Marketing, Finance, and Human Resource Management. The evening MBA option makes it particularly practical for working professionals in Kathmandu who cannot attend full-time classes.

Location: Old Baneshwor, Kathmandu Affiliation: Pokhara University (PU) Fees: Approximately NPR 7–10 lakh for the full 2-year MBA EMBA: Available for working professionals with 2+ years of managerial experience Best for: Working professionals targeting a PU MBA with flexible evening class options

4. Apex College — PU, Kantipati

Apex College is one of Kathmandu's most established private MBA colleges, offering both a regular MBA and an Executive MBA under Pokhara University. The MBA program at Apex has 29 seats — small batches that translate to more individual faculty attention than larger institutions.

The Apex MBA covers the full business curriculum across operations, finance, marketing, and HR, with an emphasis on student-focused teaching strategies and strong placement support. Fees at Apex College average NPR 7–15 lakh for the 2-year program.

Location: Kantipati, Kathmandu Affiliation: Pokhara University (PU) Fees: NPR 7–15 lakh Best for: Students who want a small-batch PU MBA with strong individual attention and placement focus

5. King's College — Westcliff University, USA

King's College is one of the most distinctive top MBA colleges in Kathmandu because it offers an American MBA — affiliated with Westcliff University, California, USA. King's was the first college in Nepal to introduce an MBA in Entrepreneurship, and its programs are recognized by both the Ministry of Education and Tribhuvan University — meaning the degree has both international and domestic validity.

King's MBA specialisations include MBA General, MBA Entrepreneurship, and MBA in Business Analytics — each a 120-credit, 4-year equivalent at the graduate level.

Location: Babarmahal, Kathmandu Affiliation: Westcliff University, California, USA Fees: Approximately NPR 10–14 lakh per year Best for: Students targeting an American MBA in Nepal with entrepreneurship or business analytics focus

Internal link: Foreign affiliated colleges in Nepal →

6. DAV Business School — KU, Kathmandu

DAV Business School is one of Kathmandu's fastest-growing MBA institutions, affiliated with Kathmandu University. It offers a full-time MBA with a strong focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, and business innovation. The curriculum blends academic theory with industry exposure, research-based learning, and project work — including interactive sessions, public speaking modules, and regular seminars from corporate leaders.

Location: Kathmandu Affiliation: Kathmandu University (KU) Contact: davbusinessschool.edu.np Best for: Students who want a KU MBA with strong leadership and entrepreneurship programming

7. Herald College Kathmandu — International MBA, Wolverhampton UK

Herald College Kathmandu offers an International MBA in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton, UK — making it one of the strongest foreign-affiliated MBA options in Kathmandu. This is a genuine British postgraduate degree, recognized internationally, taught in Kathmandu.

The International MBA at Herald covers strategic management, international business, finance, and leadership — and graduates receive a University of Wolverhampton certificate that carries weight for international career pathways and postgraduate study in the UK.

Location: Bishalnagar, Kathmandu Affiliation: University of Wolverhampton, UK Fees: Approximately NPR 15–20 lakh for the full program Best for: Students targeting a UK MBA for international career pathways or further study in Britain

8. Kathmandu Don Bosco College — MBA, Purbanchal University

Kathmandu Don Bosco College, located in Lazimpat, offers MBA and EMBA programs under Purbanchal University. Established as a Purbanchal University-affiliated MBA institution since 2010, Don Bosco is a solid mid-range option for students who want PuU affiliation in a central Kathmandu location.

Location: Lazimpat, Kathmandu Affiliation: Purbanchal University (PuU) Fees: Approximately NPR 5–8 lakh Best for: Students who want Purbanchal University MBA at a central Kathmandu institution

9. South Asian Institute of Management (SAIM) — PU, Kathmandu

SAIM is one of the modern, private MBA colleges in Kathmandu offering a Pokhara University MBA with a practical, corporate-focused curriculum. It attracts a working professional demographic particularly for its EMBA program.

Location: Kathmandu Affiliation: Pokhara University (PU) Fees: Approximately NPR 7–10 lakh Best for: Working professionals and students seeking a corporate-environment MBA experience in Kathmandu

TU vs KU vs PU MBA — Which University Is Best?

This question comes up in every MBA conversation in Nepal. The honest answer:

TU MBA/MBS — Best for: Government sector jobs, Lok Sewa Aayog positions, banking, and students on a tight budget. Widest network of affiliated colleges. Most affordable. Curriculum updates slowly.

KU MBA (KUSOM) — Best for: Corporate careers, MBA leadership roles, students targeting Nepal's top private sector companies and multinationals. Most prestigious brand. Hardest to get into. Most expensive domestic option.

PU MBA — Best for: Entrepreneurship, industry-aligned careers, students who want modern curriculum with trimester flexibility. Strong evening MBA options for working professionals.

Foreign-affiliated MBA — Best for: International career pathways, students targeting jobs abroad or postgraduate study in the UK or USA. Most expensive. Strongest international recognition.

MBA Career Scope in Nepal 2026

Completing an MBA from one of the top MBA colleges in Kathmandu opens doors across Nepal's most dynamic sectors:

Banking and Finance: Nepal Rastra Bank, commercial banks, microfinance institutions, insurance companies
Corporate Sector: Senior management, operations, marketing leadership at MNCs and large Nepali corporations
Entrepreneurship: King's College's MBA Entrepreneurship track specifically targets startup founders
Consulting: Growing consulting ecosystem in Kathmandu recruiting MBA graduates
Government: MBS/MBA from TU-affiliated colleges qualifies for Lok Sewa Aayog management group positions

Entry MBA salaries in Nepal's private corporate sector start at NPR 40,000–70,000 per month and grow to NPR 150,000–400,000+ at director and VP levels within 5–10 years.

FAQs — Top MBA Colleges in Kathmandu

Which is the best MBA college in Kathmandu?
KUSOM (Kathmandu University School of Management) is the most prestigious and competitive MBA college in Kathmandu. For affordable MBA, TU constituent campuses (Shanker Dev Campus) offer the best value. For working professionals, Ace Institute and SAIM's PU evening MBA programs are highly practical.

What is the fee for MBA in Kathmandu?
Fees range from NPR 2–4 lakh at TU government campuses, NPR 7–15 lakh at private KU and PU colleges, and NPR 15–20 lakh at foreign-affiliated institutions like Herald College.

What entrance exam is required for MBA in Kathmandu?
CMAT for TU-affiliated MBA colleges. KUUMAT for KUSOM (KU). PU entrance test and interview for PU-affiliated colleges. Foreign-affiliated colleges have their own requirements.

Is there an Executive MBA in Kathmandu?
Yes. KUSOM, Ace Institute, Apex College, and SAIM all offer Executive MBA (EMBA) programs for working professionals with managerial experience.

Which MBA college in Kathmandu offers a foreign degree?
Herald College (University of Wolverhampton, UK) and King's College (Westcliff University, USA) are the main foreign-affiliated MBA institutions in Kathmandu.

The top MBA college in Kathmandu for you depends on your career goal, your budget, and whether you're a fresh graduate or a working professional. KUSOM gives you Nepal's most recognised MBA brand. TU gives you the most affordable path. PU gives you the most practical curriculum. And foreign-affiliated colleges give you an internationally recognised postgraduate degree without leaving Nepal.
You can explore this page to explore colleges : click here