Check out the top 10 best engineering colleges in India other than IITs and NITs. There are multiple engineering colleges which offer great placements, great infrastructure and well-structured curriculum for students.
Are you looking for best engineering colleges this year? When you think about doing a degree in engineering or related fields, the first name that comes to your mind is either IIT or NIT, right? However, engineering is not just limited to that, there are various other colleges in India that provide high-quality education, excellent placements and great research and career opportunities.
If you are looking for alternatives to IITs and NITs, then you’ve landed at the right place. In this blog, we will cover the top 10 best engineering colleges in India apart from IITs and NITs.
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Top 10 Best Engineering Colleges In India
We all know that IITs and NITs dominate the engineering landscape in India, but these are not the only institutes providing good quality education or creating skilled engineers, there are many more in the list. Let’s have a look at some of the best engineering colleges in India beyond IITs and NITs with their NIRF rankings.
Best Engineering Colleges | NIRF Rankings |
Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) | 11 |
Jadavpur University | 12 |
SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRM University) | 13 |
Anna University | 14 |
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani | 20 |
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | 23 |
Jamia Millia Islamia | 24 |
Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan | 26 |
Delhi Technological University (DTU) | 27 |
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology | 29 |
1. Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore

NIRF Ranking: 11
Vellore Institute of Technology is one the best engineering colleges in private segment in India. If you want to complete a degree in Engineering, then VIT offers a wide range of courses in Computer Science, AI, Mechanical Engineering, etc. The curriculum is also well-structured and industry-oriented.
VIT is famous because of the placement records it holds. Students from Vellore Institute of Technology are often placed in top companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Deloitte, etc.
2. Jadavpur University, Kolkata

NIRF Ranking: 12
Jadavpur University is a well-known public university especially known for its affordable education. It offers programs in core emerging areas and holds excellence in mechanical, civil and computer science engineering. Jadavpur University has a team of experienced faculty members.
The students from Jadavpur University are placed in both private and public sectors. It is also a hub for innovation and higher research. It is one of the best alternatives to IITs and NITs.
Read More: Top Engineering Colleges In India: Private, Public & Autonomous Universities
3. SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRM University), Chennai

NIRF Ranking: 13
SRM University is one of the best private institutes that offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It is known for its modern infrastructure and the tie-ups it has with global universities which allow students to engage in exchange programs.
The placement drives of SRM University are highly successful and provide opportunities in various areas like IT, consulting core engineering areas. You can definitely check out SRM University if you want to experience a lively college and campus life along with good quality education.
4. Anna University, Chennai

NIRF Ranking: 14
One of the best engineering colleges in public sector in Chennai is Anna University. It is highly famous for its academics and the affordable fee structure it provides. Anna University has various colleges affiliated to it and has a strong alumni network in and outside of India.
The College of Engineering, Guindy (CEG) is a well-reputed college under Anna University, if you want to build your career and grow in the field of engineering then you can check out Anna University as it even provides great placements.
5. Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani

NIRF Ranking: 20
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani is one the best private institutions in India for engineers. If you are keen to learn, grow and experience a lively and engaging campus life then BITS Pilani is for you.
BITS has global connections, strong placement records and flexible curriculum which makes it a topic of discussion among students. Also, if you graduate from an institution like BITS, there is a high chance that you can get a placement in top multinational company.
6. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore

NIRF Rankings: 23
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is a multi-campus research university which consistently ranks and is considered one of the best engineering colleges in India. It offers various engineering programs which focuses mainly on research, sustainability and innovation. Amrita also has collaborations with international institutions thus it is a reputed institution for engineering.
The placement record for Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is quite impressive. Its value-based education model makes it unique.
7. Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi

NIRF Ranking: 24
Jamia Millia Islamia has come up as one of the top-ranked universities in India. It is highly known for its Faculty of Engineering and Technology. The fee structure of JMI is quite affordable, it provides high-quality education creating a balance between theoretical and practical exposure.
You can expect a good placement from Jamia because recruiters from IT, core engineering, and government sectors regularly hire at JMI.
8. Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA), Bhubaneswar

NIRF Ranking: 26
Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan is a deemed-to-be university which has gained recognition for its consistent performance in engineering education and research. It even has strong connections in the industry, modern labs and SOA regularly works towards skill-development initiatives.
At SOA, students get placed in various areas like IT, core engineering, etc. Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan primarily focuses on research and giving practical experience and exposure to the students.
9. Delhi Technological University (DTU), Delhi

NIRF Ranking: 27
DTU was previously known as DCE (Delhi College of Engineering). It is one of the oldest colleges of engineering. The academic excellence, diversity it provides and campus culture makes it unique from others. It even has a strong and well-known alumni network.
If you are planning to take admission in DTU, then you must also know that it has a great placement record and consistently shows results. It can be one of the best alternatives to IITs or NITs.
10. Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala

NIRF Ranking: 29
The Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology is well-known for the high-quality infrastructure and innovation-focused academics it has. It provides a positive learning environment.
The placement drives of the Thapar Institute are mostly successful and ends up attracting recruiters from top multinational companies (MNCs). Thapar Institute can be a great choice for you if you want to excel in the field of engineering.
Why Should You Consider These Colleges?
Are you still wondering if these colleges are worth giving a try or not? Students do not think out of the box and live in a bubble that IITs and NITs are the only institutions for engineering. The above listed colleges are the best engineering colleges options you can consider because of the following perks:
- Diverse Specializations: Most of these institutes focus on areas like AI, robotics or biotechnology. Today, artificial intelligence is in huge demand and learning AI from a top institute can help you shape your future.
- Placements: According to the records, many private institutions have a higher placement rate as compared to some NITs.
- Innovation: Institutions like BITS, Pilani encourage innovation, research and entrepreneurial development from the undergraduate level.
- Global Opportunities: Most of these engineering colleges has tie-ups and collaborations with global institutions which will give you a chance for exchange programs and global exposure.
Placement Packages Of Top Engineering Colleges In India
If you are concerned about whether or not you’ll end up in a good engineering college, then don’t worry. Many students just focus and target for getting admissions into IITs and NITs and therefore they ignore the other institutions which offer great opportunities, well-designed course curriculum and excellent placements.
Let’s have a look at the minimum packages offered by some of the best engineering colleges in India, excluding IITs and NITs.
Best Engineering Colleges | MINIMUM PACKAGE |
Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) | ₹11LPA |
Jadavpur University | ₹7LPA |
SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRM University) | ₹5LPA |
Anna University | ₹7LPA |
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani | ₹11LPA |
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | ₹9LPA |
Jamia Millia Islamia | ₹6LPA |
Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan | ₹6LPA |
Delhi Technological University (DTU) | ₹12LPA |
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology | ₹10LPA |
Note: The minimum packages are according to the latest updates and information available. However, the exact value may vary year to year.
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Best Engineering Colleges FAQs
Q1. Which are the best engineering colleges in India apart from IITs and NITs?
Ans: Some of the best engineering colleges in India other than IITs and NITs are Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Jadavpur University, BITS Pilani, Delhi Technological University (DTU), etc.
Q2. How can I get admission in top engineering colleges?
Ans: If you want to get admission in any of the top engineering colleges, you will need to give an entrance test like JEE Main or university-specific tests like VITEE for VIT, BITSAT for BITS Pilani etc. You can check the official websites of colleges to know how they accept admissions.
Q3. Should I go for private colleges, public institutions or deemed-to-be universities?
Ans: It depends on your budget, location and career goals that which college will be best suitable for you. If you want a more affordable college with a strong reputation and good placements then you can go for public institutions. If you want better infrastructure, global exposure and international placement opportunities then you must go for private colleges. If you want a flexible curriculum and strong research focus then you can look for deemed-to-be universities but the fee is often higher for the same.
Q4. Which college has the best ROI (Return on Investment)?
Ans: Public universities like Jadavpur University, Anna University and Jamia Millia Islamia has the best ROI because of the affordable fee structure and great placement records they have.