Hint: It’s Not in Delhi, Not in Manipal, But in Chennai!
Costliest MBBS College in India: Every year, more than 2 million students appear for the NEET UG exam in the hope that one day they will become doctors in India. Most of the students’ dreams get shattered when they cannot secure an affordable government college. But some who can afford costly private medical colleges have to pay a very heavy price means in crores, not just lakhs.
There are many private deemed colleges that charge in crores for the full MBBS program. And in case of NRI quota seats, the cost can spike up to 2-3 crores.
But, do you know which is the costliest MBBS college in India?
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Naturally, Kashturba Medical College Manipal or DY Patil Medical College, Pune come to your mind. And your perception is not totally wrong.
But, these colleges do not even make it in the list of the 5 costliest medical universities in India. Even more, Kashturba Medical College Manipal is not in the list of the 10 costliest medical universities in India.
Join NEET News 2025 Then, which is the costliest MBBS college in India?
As of 2025, the costliest MBBS college in India is Sri Balaji Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH), Chennai. You will have to pay 30.5 lakh rupees per year to study MBBS in this college.
This is the highest MBBS tuition fee in India for a regular seat (non-NRI quota).
Let’s find out what makes Sri Balaji Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH) so expensive and whether it offers value for such high fees.
Sri Balaji Medical College (SBMCH), Chennai
- Location: Chromepet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Established: 2003
- Type: Deemed-to-be University (Under Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research – BIHER)
- Recognition: National Medical Commission (NMC)
- Hospital Beds: 1300+
- Medium of Instruction: English
- Seats for MBBS: 250
SBMCH Fee Structure (2025-26)
Annual Fee (General Management Quota) of SBMCH
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (Per Year) | ₹30.5 lakh |
| Total Tuition Fee (5 Years) | ₹1.525 crore |
| Hostel, Mess & Misc. (Per Year) | ₹2–3 lakh |
| Total Hostel/Misc. (5.5 Years) | ₹11–16.5 lakh approx. |
| Internship Year (0 Tuition Fee) | Only hostel/misc. applies |
| Total Cost (Approx) | ₹1.63 crore+ |
Note: This estimate excludes one-time charges like admission, caution deposit, or exam fees, which may add another ₹1–2 lakh depending on the college.
Why Is the Fee So High in SBMCH?
Here are the key reasons why SBMCH ranks as India’s most expensive MBBS college:
Deemed University Autonomy
Being under a deemed university (BIHER), SBMCH has the freedom to set its fee structure, unlike state-regulated colleges.
No Fee Regulation by Tamil Nadu Govt.
Unlike private colleges under the Tamil Nadu Medical Selection Committee, deemed universities are under MCC and not fee-regulated by the state.
Guaranteed Admission through MCC AIQ Counselling
Seats are filled through the All India Deemed University Counselling by MCC. Many low-rank NEET qualifiers prefer guaranteed admission over uncertainty.
Modern Facilities & Large Teaching Hospital
The campus boasts advanced labs, clinical facilities, and a 1300+ bed teaching hospital, with good patient inflow from South Chennai.
High Demand Despite High Fees
Many students from financially strong backgrounds and NRI families choose SBMCH to stay in India, avoiding overseas MBBS options.
List of 10 Costliest MBBS College in India
These top institutes have crossed the ₹1 crore mark for the full 4.5-year MBBS course, with Sree Balaji Medical College leading as the highest at ₹30.5 lakhs annually.
Note: NRI quota seats in these colleges can cost ₹2–3 crore, but SBMCH charges ₹1.6 crore even for general quota management seats.
Is It Worth Paying ₹1.6 Crore for MBBS in India?
Pros and Cons of an MBBS degree from an NMC-approved Indian private/deemed medical college, Sri Balaji Medical College (SBMCH), Chennai:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pros | |
| MBBS from NMC-approved college | Recognized across India for licensing and practice |
| English medium | No language barrier for Indian students |
| Good hospital infrastructure | Better patient exposure and clinical training |
| No visa or foreign travel hassles | No documentation, embassy procedures, or international travel required |
| Direct PG eligibility | No need to clear FMGE exam for PG admission in India |
| Cons | |
| No guarantee of PG seat | NEET-PG is highly competitive; no automatic progression |
| High financial burden | ₹1–1.6 crore total cost – unaffordable for many middle-class families |
| Low ROI | Recovery of cost may take 8–12 years or more post-MBBS |
| Gap years for PG prep | 1–2 years of additional preparation often needed for NEET-PG |
| Affordable MBBS Abroad options available | MBBS abroad (e.g. in Georgia) at nearly 1/3rd the cost with FMGE route |
Return on Investment (ROI) Analysis
Let’s do a quick calculation for an SBMCH graduate:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Total MBBS Cost | ₹1.6 crore |
| NEET PG Prep Cost (1.5 years) | ₹5–7 lakh |
| PG Stipend | ₹80,000/month (avg) |
| Time to Break Even | 10–12 years minimum |
Note: Unless you crack PG in the first attempt and get into a high-paying specialty, breaking even can take a decade.
Cheaper Alternatives for Low NEET Ranks
If you don’t want to spend ₹1.6 crore on MBBS, here are your options:
MBBS Abroad (NMC Approved)
- Georgia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan
- Total Cost: ₹30–45 lakh for the full course
- FMGE Required: Yes
State Quota in Private Colleges
- Some states offer subsidised private college seats under the government quota.
- Cost: ₹6–12 lakh/year
Central Universities / AIIMS / JIPMER
- With a high NEET score, you can take admission to government medical colleges with minimal fees.
- Cost: ₹10k–₹1 lakh/year
If your family is financially strong and you want to study MBBS in India with no compromises, Sri Balaji Medical College, Chennai, offers world-class facilities, but at the highest price tag in the country.
However, for most NEET aspirants, smart budgeting, better ranks, or even MBBS abroad can offer better value.
Always evaluate return on investment, PG ambitions, and alternative options before spending over ₹1.5 crore on an MBBS degree.
