List of Top Universities in Andhra Pradesh 2026: NIRF Ranks & Fees

Looking for the top universities in Andhra Pradesh for 2026? The state now has an IIT, an NIT, an IIM, an AIIMS and an IISER, alongside century-old public universities and large private campuses in Guntur, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati. This guide lists the 15 strongest options, with their latest NIRF ranks, popular courses, admission routes and approximate fees.

All ranks below come from the NIRF 2025 India Rankings (released on 4 September 2025), the latest edition published so far. Data for NIRF 2026 has been submitted by institutions, but we only quote ranks that have been officially released and reproduced by at least two independent sources.

Top 15 universities in Andhra Pradesh at a glance

The order above follows the NIRF 2025 University and subject-category results first, then well-known national institutes and newer private universities that have no confirmed NIRF 2025 rank. You can check every rank on the official NIRF India Rankings portal.

Best universities in Andhra Pradesh: institute-wise details

1. Andhra University, Visakhapatnam

Founded in 1926, Andhra University is the oldest and highest-ranked state university in the state. It climbed to 23rd in the NIRF 2025 University category, and was also placed 4th among all state public universities in India. Its engineering college (AUCE) and pharmacy college are both nationally ranked.

• Established: 1926
• Type: State public university
• NIRF 2025: University 23, Overall 41, Engineering approx. 88 (AU College of Engineering), Pharmacy approx. 31
• NAAC: A++ (CGPA 3.74, accredited in 2023)
• Popular courses: B.Tech, B.Pharm, M.Sc, MBA, MA, law, PhD
• Admission via: AP EAPCET (B.Tech/B.Pharm), AP PGCET, AP ICET, university entrance tests for some programmes
• Approx. fees: Low for convener-quota seats (often well under ₹1 lakh per year); self-financed courses cost more. Check the Andhra University official website.

2. KL University (Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation), Vaddeswaram

KL University began as K L College of Engineering in 1980 and became a deemed university in 2009. The campus sits in Vaddeswaram, close to Vijayawada. It is the top-ranked engineering institution in Andhra Pradesh in NIRF 2025 (Engineering rank 35) and ranks 26th in the University category.

• Established: 1980 (deemed university since 2009)
• Type: Private deemed-to-be university
• NIRF 2025: University 26, Engineering 35
• Popular courses: B.Tech (CSE, AI & DS, ECE), BBA, MBA, B.Pharm, law, PhD
• Admission via: KLEEE (university entrance test), JEE Main and AP EAPCET scores are also considered for some seats
• Approx. fees: B.Tech around ₹2.5–4.5 lakh per year (2025–26), varying by branch and fee category. See the KL University official website.

3. IIT Tirupati

IIT Tirupati started in 2015 and has moved steadily up the engineering table. It ranks 57th in NIRF 2025 Engineering, up from 61st in 2024. Its permanent campus is at Yerpedu, near Tirupati.

• Established: 2015
• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Engineering 57
• Popular courses: B.Tech (CSE, EE, ME, Civil, Chemical), M.Tech, M.Sc, PhD
• Admission via: JEE Advanced + JoSAA counselling (B.Tech), GATE (M.Tech), JAM (M.Sc)
• Approx. fees: About ₹2–2.5 lakh per year for B.Tech, with fee waivers for eligible family-income and reserved categories

4. IIM Visakhapatnam

IIM Visakhapatnam was set up in 2015 and is the state's leading business school. It holds 29th place in NIRF 2025 Management.

• Established: 2015
• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Management 29
• Popular courses: MBA (PGP), MBA for working professionals, PhD
• Admission via: CAT, followed by IIM-V's own selection process
• Approx. fees: Around ₹19–21 lakh for the full two-year MBA; check the latest fee notice

5. Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology and Research, Guntur

Often called Vignan's University, this deemed university at Vadlamudi near Guntur has improved in both lists. It ranks 70th among universities and 80th in engineering in NIRF 2025 (91st in engineering in 2024).

• Established: 1997 as an engineering college; deemed university since 2008
• Type: Private deemed-to-be university
• NIRF 2025: University 70, Engineering 80
• Popular courses: B.Tech, B.Pharm, B.Sc Agriculture, MBA
• Admission via: V-SAT, JEE Main, AP EAPCET
• Approx. fees: B.Tech roughly ₹1.5–3 lakh per year, depending on branch and merit scholarship

6. Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur

Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) was established in 1976 and serves a large network of affiliated colleges in central Andhra. In NIRF 2025 it ranks 84th in the University category and 24th among state public universities.

• Established: 1976
• Type: State public university
• NIRF 2025: University 84; State Public Universities 24
• Popular courses: M.Sc, MA, M.Com, B.Pharm, LLB, B.Tech, PhD
• Admission via: AP PGCET, AP EAPCET, AP LAWCET
• Approx. fees: Generally low for government-quota seats; check the official notification

7. GITAM, Visakhapatnam

GITAM began in 1980 and became a deemed university in 2007. Its main campus is in Visakhapatnam. GITAM is ranked 88th in the NIRF 2025 University category, with strong subject ranks in pharmacy (33) and law (38).

• Established: 1980 (deemed university since 2007)
• Type: Private deemed-to-be university
• NIRF 2025: University 88, Pharmacy 33, Law 38, Engineering band 101–150
• Popular courses: B.Tech, B.Pharm, BBA LLB, B.Arch, MBA
• Admission via: GAT (GITAM Admission Test), JEE Main and other national scores
• Approx. fees: B.Tech about ₹2.5–4.5 lakh per year, depending on branch

8. Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati

Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) was founded in 1954 and is the main public university of Rayalaseema. It sits in the 101–150 band of the NIRF 2025 University category and is listed around 47th among state public universities.

• Established: 1954
• Type: State public university
• NIRF 2025: University band 101–150; State Public Universities approx. 47
• Popular courses: M.Sc, MA, B.Tech, MBA, PhD
• Admission via: AP PGCET, AP EAPCET, AP ICET
• Approx. fees: Low for convener-quota seats; check the official website

9. JNTU Kakinada

Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada (JNTUK) became a separate university in 2008, though its engineering college dates back decades. It affiliates hundreds of engineering colleges in coastal Andhra and is in the 101–150 band for both University and Engineering in NIRF 2025. Its sister university, JNTU Anantapur, serves Rayalaseema.

• Type: State technological university
• NIRF 2025: University band 101–150; Engineering band 101–150
• Popular courses: B.Tech, M.Tech, MBA, MCA, B.Pharm
• Admission via: AP EAPCET, AP ECET (lateral entry), AP PGECET
• Approx. fees: Regulated fee for convener-quota seats at the constituent college

10. NIT Andhra Pradesh, Tadepalligudem

NIT Andhra Pradesh was created in 2015 in West Godavari district. It is still building its research record and appears in the 201–300 band of NIRF 2025 Engineering. Half of its B.Tech seats are reserved for Andhra Pradesh home-state candidates through JoSAA.

• Established: 2015
• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Engineering band 201–300
• Popular courses: B.Tech (CSE, ECE, EEE, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical), M.Tech, PhD
• Admission via: JEE Main + JoSAA/CSAB counselling
• Approx. fees: About ₹1.25 lakh per year tuition, plus hostel; fee waivers for eligible students

11. AIIMS Mangalagiri

AIIMS Mangalagiri started its MBBS programme in 2018 and is the state's most sought-after medical institute for NEET toppers. It does not yet appear in the NIRF 2025 Medical top list, which is common for newer AIIMS campuses.

• Established: 2018
• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Not in the published Medical list
• Popular courses: MBBS, B.Sc Nursing, MD/MS
• Admission via: NEET-UG + MCC counselling (MBBS); INI-CET (PG)
• Approx. fees: Very low; MBBS tuition at AIIMS is only a few thousand rupees in total

12. IISER Tirupati

IISER Tirupati, started in 2015, is a research-led science institute. It does not have an NIRF 2025 rank.

• Established: 2015
• Type: Autonomous institute under the Ministry of Education
• Popular courses: 5-year BS-MS dual degree, Integrated PhD, PhD
• Admission via: IISER Aptitude Test (IAT)
• Approx. fees: Moderate; INSPIRE and other scholarships help eligible students

13. SRM University-AP, Amaravati

SRM University-AP opened in 2017 in the Amaravati capital region. It is a separate university from SRMIST Chennai, so the Chennai campus's NIRF ranks do not apply to it. We could not confirm an NIRF 2025 rank for the AP campus.

• Established: 2017
• Type: Private state university
• Popular courses: B.Tech, B.Sc, BBA, liberal arts
• Admission via: SRMJEEE, JEE Main scores
• Approx. fees: B.Tech around ₹2.5–4 lakh per year; check the official website

14. VIT-AP University, Amaravati

VIT-AP is the Andhra Pradesh campus of the VIT group and also started in 2017. The NIRF ranks often quoted for "VIT" belong to the Vellore campus, not VIT-AP, so compare carefully.

• Established: 2017
• Type: Private state university
• Popular courses: B.Tech (CSE and specialisations), integrated law, MBA
• Admission via: VITEEE
• Approx. fees: B.Tech roughly ₹2–4.5 lakh per year, depending on fee category

15. Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati

Founded in 1983, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam (SPMVV) is a state university for women. It is placed in roughly the 51–100 band among state public universities in NIRF 2025, and offers affordable programmes in sciences, pharmacy, engineering and management.

• Established: 1983
• Type: State women's university
• Popular courses: B.Tech, B.Pharm, M.Sc, MBA, MCA
• Admission via: AP EAPCET, AP PGCET, AP ICET
• Approx. fees: Low; check the official website

How admission works at Andhra Pradesh universities

Each type of institute uses a different entrance route. Plan your exams in Class 12 so that you keep more than one option open.

1. Pick your course and target institutes. Decide between engineering, medicine, pure science, management or law, then shortlist 6–8 institutes from the table.
2. Take the right entrance exam. JEE Advanced for IIT Tirupati; JEE Main for NIT Andhra Pradesh; NEET-UG for AIIMS Mangalagiri and medical colleges; IAT for IISER Tirupati; CAT for IIM Visakhapatnam.
3. Write AP EAPCET for state seats. Andhra University, SVU, ANU, JNTUK, JNTUA and most affiliated colleges fill B.Tech, B.Pharm and agriculture seats through AP EAPCET, held on behalf of the AP State Council of Higher Education.
4. Apply separately to private universities. KLEEE (KL University), GAT (GITAM), V-SAT (Vignan's), SRMJEEE (SRM-AP) and VITEEE (VIT-AP) each need their own application, usually between November and April.
5. Register for counselling. Use JoSAA for IITs and NITs, MCC for AIIMS, and AP EAPCET web counselling for state seats.
6. For PG courses, look at AP PGCET, AP ICET (MBA/MCA), GATE (M.Tech) and CUET-PG where accepted.

How to choose the right university in Andhra Pradesh

A high NIRF rank is a good start, but it is not the only factor. Match the institute to your own course, budget and career goals.

• Check the right NIRF category. A university's overall rank may differ from its rank in your subject. GITAM, for example, is far stronger in pharmacy and law than in engineering.
• Compare total cost, not just tuition. Add hostel, mess, exam and transport costs over four years.
• Look at real placement data. Every NIRF-participating institute publishes median salary and placement numbers in its NIRF data file on its website.
• Confirm approvals. Check UGC recognition on ugc.gov.in, AICTE approval for technical courses, and NAAC status.
• Think about location. Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada–Guntur and Tirupati each have very different industry links and living costs.

Scholarships and funding for students in Andhra Pradesh

Fees at private and deemed universities can be high, so plan your funding early. Several schemes can reduce the burden:

• National Scholarship Portal (NSP): Central schemes such as the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships and post-matric scholarships for minority students.
• Andhra Pradesh fee reimbursement: Eligible SC, ST, BC, EWS and minority students can claim tuition reimbursement and maintenance support through the state's Jnanabhumi portal. Check the current scheme name and income limit each year.
• AICTE Pragati and Saksham: For girl students and students with disabilities in AICTE-approved technical courses.
• INSPIRE-SHE: For top science students joining BS-MS or B.Sc programmes, including at IISER Tirupati.
• Institute merit scholarships: KL University, GITAM, Vignan's, SRM-AP and VIT-AP all give fee concessions based on entrance or board ranks.

You can also apply for the AISEE scholarship for engineering students, a national merit-based exam that helps Class 12 and college students reduce their fees. For a wider list of options, see our guide to scholarships in India.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the No. 1 university in Andhra Pradesh?

Andhra University, Visakhapatnam is the highest-ranked university in Andhra Pradesh in the NIRF 2025 University category (rank 23). KL University follows closely at rank 26.

Which is the best engineering college in Andhra Pradesh as per NIRF 2025?

KL University (KLEF) is the top-ranked engineering institution in the state with NIRF 2025 Engineering rank 35, followed by IIT Tirupati (57), Vignan's (80) and Andhra University College of Engineering (approx. 88).

Is IIT Tirupati better than KL University?

KL University has a higher NIRF 2025 Engineering rank, but IIT Tirupati is an Institute of National Importance with much lower fees and a highly competitive JEE Advanced intake. Most students who qualify for IIT Tirupati choose it over private options.

Is Osmania University or IIT Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh?

No. Since the 2014 bifurcation, Hyderabad is in Telangana. Osmania University, University of Hyderabad and IIT Hyderabad are Telangana institutions.

Which exam is needed for admission to Andhra University?

For B.Tech and B.Pharm, you need AP EAPCET. For postgraduate courses, Andhra University uses AP PGCET, AP ICET (MBA/MCA) and GATE for some M.Tech seats.

Has NIRF 2026 been released?

At the time of writing, institutions have submitted their NIRF 2026 data, but we could not confirm officially released NIRF 2026 ranks. This list uses NIRF 2025 and will be updated when the new edition is out.

Which is the best government university in Andhra Pradesh for low fees?

Andhra University is the strongest state public university by NIRF 2025, followed by Acharya Nagarjuna University and Sri Venkateswara University. Convener-quota seats at these universities are far cheaper than private or deemed universities.

Conclusion: choosing among the top universities in Andhra Pradesh

The top universities in Andhra Pradesh in 2026 range from Andhra University and KL University at the top of the NIRF 2025 University table to national institutes like IIT Tirupati, IIM Visakhapatnam, AIIMS Mangalagiri and IISER Tirupati. Shortlist by your course and budget, write the right entrance exams, and confirm fees and approvals on the official websites.

Your next step: check the upcoming scholarship examination dates and register early, so a scholarship is in place before admission fees fall due.