US CMA cost in India depends upon various factors like whether a candidate is a student or a professional; whether a candidate takes tuition support or not. I will answer this query considering all of these factors in consideration:
Student vs Professional Category:
Student category is for those candidates who are pursuing full time graduation / post-graduation. Otherwise, the default category for candidates will be Professional wherein those candidates who are pursuing graduation/post-graduation from distance learning and those who are working (employed/self-employed) will fall.
If a candidate falls under a student category, then there will be reduced fees applicable to these vis-a-vis professional category candidates.
A quick comparison of the standard fees for Student and Professional fees payable to IMA US (the body providing the CMA US certification) is as follows:
| Particulars | Student (USD) | Professional (USD) | Professional (USD) |
| IMA Membership | 135 | 260 | Valid for 3 Years for students and for 1 year for Professionals |
| Application Processing Fees | 15 | 15 | One time |
| CMA Entrance Fees | 210 | 280 | One time |
| Exam Fees: Part 1 | 345 | 415 | Valid for one attempt |
| Exam Fees: Part 2 | 345 | 415 | Valid for one attempt |
| Total Fees (USD) | 1050 | 1385 | |
| Total Fees (INR) Conversion Rate 1$ = Rs. 83 |
Rs. 87150 | Rs. 114955 | Conversion rate at the time of response is 1$ = Rs. 82.05. Still, I have taken Rs. 83 to take into account foreign currency transaction charges. |
The above is the standard cost of doing CMA, US. From time to time, IMA US runs some campaigns for the benefits of candidates on its own as well as through its learning partners. Through these discounts, candidates are able to save close to Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000 and therefore, fees of CMA come down to around Rs. 55000 to 60,000 (approx.) for students and Rs. 85,000 to 90,000 (approx.) for professional category candidates.
Further, IMA US awards up to 100% scholarships (subject to certain conditions) also to candidates pursuing full time graduation.
Tuition Support
Tuition support helps a candidate to become knowledgeable in the subjects taught in Part 1 and Part 2 of CMA US. Tuition support not only helps a candidate to pass the exam easily but also helps them in applying the knowledge gained in the corporate world.
So, I would strongly recommend you to take the tuition support. Some of the Tuition provider like The WallStreet School provide the comprehensive training support (including placement assistance) as follows:
1. Hock International Official Licensed Material
2. Learning Management System (LMS) access
3. Offline/Online Live Classes
4. Career Counselling / mentoring support
5. Exam Preparation including conducting Mocks and detailed evaluation
6. Pass Guarantee
7. Upskilling through Financial Modeling (Optional)
8. Placements (Track record of placing more than 4,500 candidates already in finance & accounting domain through a network of 200+ Corporates)
Cost of tuition support roughly is Rs. 70,000 for both the parts.
Total Cost of Doing US CMA in India
Summary of the above response is as follows:
a. Student category without tuition support: Rs. 55,000 – 60,000
b. Student category with tuition support: Rs. 1,25,000 – 1,30,000
c. Professional category without tuition support: Rs. 85,000 – 90,000
d. Professional category with tuition support: Rs. 1,55,000 – 1,60,000
In terms of professional qualifications, CMA US seems to be one of the best option cost and scope wise. If a candidate passes both the parts in the first attempt, then CMA US is going to be one of the least costly professional qualifications in India.
Further, you can contact the tuition providers like The WallStreet School for detailed career counselling about prospects of CMA US in India/abroad, fees, scholarship and exams etc.
I hope the above would help a candidate in taking the decision to pursue CMA or not. Signing off.
