What is the overall ROI assessment of SOIL according to Reddit community?
Reddit community ROI assessment of SOIL: Rs 17L fees with Rs 11 LPA average placement yields moderate ratio (1.5x), acceptable but weak compared to Tier-1 IIMs (ratio 0.7-0.9) and comparable Baby IIMs (1.0-1.3). Strong individual execution can produce Rs 1-2 crore lifetime premium over pre-MBA path; weak execution leaves investment underperforming. Viable only for specific profiles.
Detailed ROI analysis
SOIL investment cost
- Fees: Rs 17L
- Living expenses (1 year): Rs 1-2L
- Foregone salary: Rs 6-12L (depends on pre-MBA)
- Total investment: Rs 24-31L
Expected placement
- Average claimed: Rs 11 LPA
- Actual median: Rs 9-11 LPA
- Conservative estimate: Rs 10 LPA
ROI ratio
- Rs 17L fees / Rs 10 LPA = 1.7 ratio
- Weak compared to alternatives
Career trajectory ROI
Year 0
Rs 10 LPA
Year 5
Rs 25 LPA (with strategic switches)
Year 10: Rs 45 LPA (top 25%)
Year 15: Rs 60 LPA (top performers)
Lifetime earnings (15 years):
Top performer: Rs 6-8 crore
Median: Rs 4-6 crore
Below median: Rs 3-5 crore
Pre-MBA alternative (continuing Rs 6 LPA IT services)
Year 5
Rs 15-20 LPA
Year 10: Rs 25-35 LPA
Year 15: Rs 35-50 LPA
15-year total: Rs 2.5-4 crore
Net SOIL advantage: Rs 1-3 crore over 15 years (moderate)
vs Tier-1 IIM trajectory (IIM I reference)
Year 0
Rs 25 LPA
Year 5
Rs 50 LPA
Year 10: Rs 85 LPA
Year 15: Rs 1.2 crore
15-year total: Rs 8-10 crore
Net SOIL disadvantage: Rs 3-5 crore vs IIM I
ROI assessment by scenario
Strong execution
- First-job Accenture Strategy
- 3 strategic switches
- CFA Level 2
- Network activation
- 15-year earnings: Rs 6-8 crore
- Net positive ROI
Moderate execution
- First-job Tier-2 consulting
- 1-2 strategic switches
- Standard learning
- 15-year earnings: Rs 4-6 crore
- Marginal positive ROI
Weak execution
- First-job IT services or bank MT
- Limited switches
- Career stagnation
- 15-year earnings: Rs 3-4 crore
- Weak ROI
Compared to alternatives
SOIL vs retake CAT for IIM I
- SOIL NPV: Rs 2-3 crore
- IIM I NPV: Rs 6-8 crore
- Net IIM I advantage: Rs 3-5 crore
- Recommendation: retake if feasible
SOIL vs NMAT for NMIMS
- SOIL: Rs 17L, Rs 11 LPA
- NMIMS: Rs 25L, Rs 18 LPA
- NMIMS has Rs 8L higher fees but Rs 7 LPA higher placement
- NMIMS better ROI (1.39 vs 1.55)
- Recommendation: NMIMS preferred if NMAT 215+
SOIL vs Baby IIMs
- IIM Ranchi: Rs 15L, Rs 15-17 LPA (ratio 0.94)
- IIM Udaipur: Rs 16L, Rs 15-17 LPA (ratio 0.94)
- Baby IIMs significantly better ROI
- Recommendation: Baby IIMs preferred
SOIL vs IMT Ghaziabad
- IMT: Rs 21L, Rs 12 LPA (ratio 1.75)
- SOIL: Rs 17L, Rs 11 LPA (ratio 1.55)
- SOIL slightly better ratio
- IMT better NCR location and brand
SOIL vs GLIM Gurgaon
- GLIM: Rs 20L, Rs 12-13 LPA (ratio 1.54)
- SOIL: Rs 17L, Rs 11 LPA (ratio 1.55)
- Similar ratios
- GLIM better brand (Kellogg)
Reddit community ROI verdict
Moderate acceptability
- SOIL is not optimal but viable
- Specific profile match required
- Strong execution essential
Better alternatives:
1. Retake CAT (often)
2. NMAT for NMIMS
3. SNAP for SIBM
4. Baby IIMs at similar fees
5. Strong Tier-2 (IMT, GLIM)
For decision
Take SOIL only when:
1. All alternatives exhausted
2. Specific profile fits perfectly
3. Financial flexibility
4. 1-year format needed
5. NCR career focus
Skip SOIL for:
1. Better alternatives accessible
2. Financial fragility
3. Tier-1 IIM retake feasible
4. Strong pre-MBA career
For most aspirants
SOIL is weak-to-moderate ROI option.
Not first choice for thoughtful aspirants.
Consider 3-5 alternatives before committing.
Reddit community generally advises against SOIL unless specific circumstances.
Commit only when alternatives exhausted and specific profile match.
SOIL delivers moderate outcomes; not transformative.
ROI is investment-focused decision. Do the math.