IIFT Delhi was ranked alongside IIM L and XLRI in the "no regret" tier (with a slight lean towards IIFT) per the 99.9+ percentile ranker. At IIFT Delhi (Rs 20L fees, Rs 26 LPA avg, takes CAT), IIM Lucknow (Rs 22L fees, Rs 32.
3 LPA avg, 97%+ cutoff), and XLRI BM (Rs 30.6L fees, Rs 28 LPA avg, XAT 95%+), placements differ in specialisation focus. The ranker's reasoning for ranking IIFT higher: "IIFT placement report has people from the Kolkata campus as well and hence doesn't show the right picture as to what the college is capable of.
If you're someone who wants to learn finance properly, IIFTs curriculum is very very good and their placement in finance are also very good." IIFT's finance curriculum is genuinely strong - focus on international business and finance, CFA exemptions, and quality finance electives. IIFT Delhi-only placement data (excluding Kolkata) shows packages closer to IIM L levels.
Also cited: IIFT now takes CAT (removing the old separate IIFT exam controversy) and is as old as the old IIMs - positioning it for potential IIM tag in future. Practical choice: if finance is your target, IIFT Delhi beats IIM Lucknow in curriculum depth. If consulting/general management, IIM L is stronger.
XLRI is stronger for HR and consulting. Don't pick IIFT Kolkata with this reasoning - only IIFT Delhi fits the god-tier proximity. Check your eligibility at collvera.