List of Top Universities in Odisha (Orissa) 2026: NIRF Ranks

Looking for the top universities in Odisha (still widely searched as top universities in Orissa) for 2026? This guide lists 14 leading universities and institutes in the state, with their latest verified NIRF rank, city, type, popular courses, admission route and approximate fees, so you can shortlist quickly.

A quick note on the name: the state was officially renamed from Orissa to Odisha in 2011, when the Orissa (Alteration of Name) Act came into force. Many older documents, alumni and search results still say "Orissa", but both names refer to the same state. In this article we use Odisha, the official name today.

Bhubaneswar alone hosts an IIT, an AIIMS, NISER and two of India's highest-ranked private universities, while Rourkela, Burla and Berhampur add strong public options.

Top 14 universities in Odisha at a glance (2026)

The table is ordered by the NIRF 2025 Overall rank first, then by the best rank each institute holds in a subject category (Management, Agriculture, State Public Universities, Engineering). NIRF 2025 was released by the Ministry of Education on 4 September 2025 and is the latest edition we could verify.

Best universities and institutes in Odisha: detailed profiles

1. Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (SOA), Bhubaneswar

SOA is Odisha's highest-ranked institution in NIRF 2025 Overall. It grew out of the Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER), approved in 1996, and became a deemed university in 2007. Its health-science schools, including IMS and SUM Hospital, are as well known as its engineering college. Official website: soa.ac.in.

• Established: 2007 as a deemed university (ITER from 1996)
• Type: Deemed to be university (private)
• NIRF 2025: Overall 25, University 15, Engineering 22, Medical 15, Research 49, Management 66
• Popular courses: B.Tech, MBBS, BDS, BBA LLB, B.Pharm, nursing, MBA
• Admission via: SAAT (SOA Admission Aptitude Test) for engineering and others; NEET-UG for MBBS/BDS
• Approx. fees: B.Tech roughly ₹3–4 lakh per year (2025–26); check the official prospectus

2. Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar

KIIT started in the early 1990s as an industrial training institute and received deemed university status in 2004. Today it is a large multi-discipline campus with strong placements in computer science and a well-regarded law school. Official website: kiit.ac.in.

• Established: 2004 as a deemed university (roots in 1992)
• Type: Deemed to be university (private)
• NIRF 2025: Overall 27, University 17, Engineering 36, Medical 24, Research 43, Management 68
• Popular courses: B.Tech (CSE, IT, ECE), MBBS, BA LLB, BBA, MBA, biotechnology
• Admission via: KIITEE for most programmes; NEET-UG for MBBS/BDS; CAT/XAT/KIITEE Management for MBA
• Approx. fees: B.Tech roughly ₹3.5–4.5 lakh per year depending on branch (2025–26)

3. National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela

NIT Rourkela began in 1961 as a Regional Engineering College and is now an Institute of National Importance. In NIRF 2025 it was the best engineering institute in Odisha and ranked second among all NITs.

• Established: 1961 (NIT status in 2002)
• Type: Institute of National Importance (central)
• NIRF 2025: Overall 34, Engineering 13, Research 30
• Popular courses: B.Tech, dual degree, M.Tech, M.Sc, MBA, PhD
• Admission via: JEE Main + JoSAA counselling (B.Tech); GATE + CCMT (M.Tech)
• Approx. fees: about ₹1.5–2 lakh per year including hostel, with fee waivers for eligible students

4. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar

IIT Bhubaneswar was set up in 2008 and moved to its permanent campus at Argul, near Jatni. In NIRF 2025 it climbed 15 places to 39 in Engineering. Official website: iitbbs.ac.in.

• Established: 2008
• Type: Institute of National Importance (central)
• NIRF 2025: Overall 80, Engineering 39
• Popular courses: B.Tech (CSE, EE, ECE, Mechanical, Civil, Metallurgy), dual degree, M.Tech, M.Sc, PhD
• Admission via: JEE Advanced + JoSAA counselling (B.Tech); GATE (M.Tech); IIT JAM (M.Sc)
• Approx. fees: around ₹2–2.5 lakh per year; full or partial tuition waivers for SC/ST/PwD and lower-income families

5. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar

AIIMS Bhubaneswar is one of the six AIIMS created under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana and started its MBBS course in 2012. It is the top medical institute in Odisha and entered the NIRF Overall top 100 in 2025.

• Established: 2012
• Type: Institute of National Importance (central)
• NIRF 2025: Overall 100, Medical 14
• Popular courses: MBBS, B.Sc Nursing, MD/MS, DM/MCh
• Admission via: NEET-UG + MCC counselling (MBBS); INI-CET (PG)
• Approx. fees: nominal; MBBS tuition is only a few thousand rupees for the full course

6. IIM Sambalpur

IIM Sambalpur opened in 2015 and now runs from a permanent campus at Basantpur, Sambalpur. It is the highest-ranked management institute in Odisha in NIRF 2025.

• Established: 2015
• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Management 34
• Popular courses: MBA, Executive MBA, PhD
• Admission via: CAT + interview
• Approx. fees: roughly ₹20 lakh or more for the two-year MBA; check the latest fee notice

7. XIM University, Bhubaneswar

XIM University was created in 2013 as Xavier University, Odisha, and renamed in 2021. Its flagship school, Xavier School of Management (XIMB), dates back to 1987 and is one of eastern India's best-known B-schools.

• Established: 2013 as a university (XIMB since 1987)
• Type: State private university
• NIRF 2025: Management 45
• Popular courses: MBA (Business Management, HRM, Rural Management), BBA, B.Com, law
• Admission via: XAT for MBA; university-specific tests for UG programmes
• Approx. fees: MBA roughly ₹25 lakh or more for two years

8. Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT)

Founded in 1962, OUAT is one of the oldest agricultural universities in India. It runs colleges of agriculture, veterinary science, fisheries, horticulture and agricultural engineering across the state.

• Established: 1962
• Type: State agricultural university
• NIRF 2025: Agriculture and Allied Sectors 19
• Popular courses: B.Sc (Hons) Agriculture, B.V.Sc & AH, B.F.Sc, B.Tech Agricultural Engineering
• Admission via: OUAT entrance test / state counselling; ICAR all-India quota seats through CUET-UG
• Approx. fees: low compared with private universities; check the OUAT prospectus

9. Utkal University, Bhubaneswar

Utkal University, set up in 1943 at Vani Vihar, is the oldest university in Odisha and the mother university of many colleges in the state. It was the only Odisha public university in the NIRF 2025 State Public Universities top 50.

• Established: 1943
• Type: State public university
• NIRF 2025: State Public Universities 48
• Popular courses: MA, M.Sc, M.Com, MBA, LLB, MCA, PhD
• Admission via: Odisha PG entrance / SAMS (Student Academic Management System) counselling
• Approx. fees: very affordable; most PG courses cost a few thousand to a few tens of thousands of rupees per year

10. C.V. Raman Global University (CGU), Bhubaneswar

CGU started in 1997 as C.V. Raman College of Engineering and received university status in 2020. It is one of five Odisha institutes in the NIRF 2025 Engineering top 100.

• Established: 2020 as a university (college since 1997)
• Type: State private university
• NIRF 2025: Engineering 95
• Popular courses: B.Tech, M.Tech, MBA
• Admission via: JEE Main / OJEE / university entrance
• Approx. fees: mid-range for private engineering; check the official website

11. National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar

NISER was founded in 2007 by the Department of Atomic Energy and works from a campus at Jatni near Bhubaneswar. Its degrees are awarded through Homi Bhabha National Institute. It does not feature in the NIRF 2025 top lists, but it is one of India's best places for students who want a research career in basic sciences.

• Established: 2007
• Type: Central research institute (DAE), degrees via HBNI
• NIRF 2025: Not ranked in the top lists
• Popular courses: 5-year Integrated M.Sc (biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics), PhD
• Admission via: NEST (National Entrance Screening Test)
• Approx. fees: low; check the NEST brochure for fees and scholarships

12. Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla

VSSUT traces its history to 1956, when it opened as the University College of Engineering, Burla. It became a unitary technical university in 2009 and remains a popular government choice for OJEE candidates.

• Established: 1956 (university since 2009)
• Type: State technical university
• NIRF 2025: Not in the Engineering top 100 (rank-band only)
• Popular courses: B.Tech, M.Tech, MCA, MBA
• Admission via: JEE Main score through OJEE counselling
• Approx. fees: affordable government fee structure

13. Sambalpur University

Sambalpur University, at Jyoti Vihar in Burla, was set up in 1967 and serves western Odisha.

• Established: 1967
• Type: State public university
• NIRF 2025: Not in the State Public Universities top 50
• Popular courses: MA, M.Sc, M.Com, MBA, MCA, law
• Admission via: Odisha PG entrance / SAMS counselling
• Approx. fees: low, government-university fees

14. Berhampur University

Berhampur University was established in 1967 at Bhanja Bihar and is the main state university for southern Odisha.

• Established: 1967
• Type: State public university
• NIRF 2025: Not in the State Public Universities top 50
• Popular courses: MA, M.Sc, M.Com, MBA, MCA
• Admission via: Odisha PG entrance / SAMS counselling
• Approx. fees: low, government-university fees

Other names worth a look include Ravenshaw University in Cuttack, the Central University of Odisha in Koraput (admission through CUET), Fakir Mohan University in Balasore and IMI Bhubaneswar (NIRF 2025 Management 94).

How admission works at top Odisha universities

Most admissions in Odisha follow national entrance exams, with the state's own OJEE and SAMS systems used for many state seats.

1. Choose your stream early. Engineering aspirants should prepare for JEE Main (NITs, IIIT, state colleges) and JEE Advanced (IIT Bhubaneswar). Medical aspirants need NEET-UG for AIIMS Bhubaneswar, government medical colleges and the MBBS seats at SOA and KIIT.
2. Write the university-specific tests if needed. Private universities run their own exams: SAAT for SOA and KIITEE for KIIT. NISER admits through NEST, and the Central University of Odisha through CUET-UG.
3. Register for counselling. JoSAA handles IIT and NIT seats, MCC handles AIIMS and all-India quota medical seats, and OJEE counselling allots state engineering seats (for example at VSSUT) based on JEE Main scores.
4. For PG and MBA. Use GATE (M.Tech), IIT JAM (M.Sc), CAT (IIM Sambalpur), XAT (XIM University) and the Odisha PG entrance/SAMS process for state university PG seats.
5. Complete document verification and fee payment within the given window, and keep category, domicile and income certificates ready if you are claiming a reservation or fee waiver.

How to choose the right university in Odisha

A high NIRF rank is a good start, but the right college depends on your course, budget and goals.

• Match the ranking to your course. For B.Tech, look at the NIRF Engineering list (NIT Rourkela leads in Odisha). For MBBS, check the Medical list (AIIMS Bhubaneswar leads). For an MBA, use the Management list.
• Compare total cost, not just tuition. Add hostel, mess, exam and development fees. Government institutes such as NIT Rourkela, VSSUT and Utkal University usually cost far less than deemed universities.
• Check placements carefully. Read the institute's official placement report or NIRF data, and look at the median salary rather than only the highest package.
• Confirm approvals. Check UGC recognition on ugc.gov.in and AICTE or NMC approval for professional courses.

Scholarships and funding for students in Odisha

The right scholarship can make a top Odisha university much more affordable:

• National Scholarship Portal (NSP): central schemes such as the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for college students and post-matric scholarships for SC/ST/OBC and minority students are listed on scholarships.gov.in.
• Odisha State Scholarship Portal: the state runs merit and need-based schemes (including post-matric scholarships and Medhabruti) through its own scholarship portal.
• AICTE schemes: Pragati (for girls) and Saksham (for specially-abled students) support technical education students.
• Institute fee waivers: IITs and NITs give full or partial tuition waivers based on family income and category, and many private universities give merit scholarships based on entrance ranks.
• Private and national scholarship exams: the AISEE scholarship for engineering students can help Class 12 and college students reduce fees at participating colleges.

To find more options, browse our guide to scholarships after 12th in India and check the important dates of the scholarship examination.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the No. 1 university in Odisha?

In NIRF 2025, Siksha 'O' Anusandhan (SOA) is the highest-ranked institution from Odisha, with Overall rank 25 and University rank 15. KIIT follows closely at Overall 27 and University 17. For engineering alone, NIT Rourkela is No. 1 in Odisha with Engineering rank 13.

Are Orissa and Odisha the same state?

Yes. Orissa was officially renamed Odisha in 2011, and its language Oriya became Odia. Universities listed as "in Orissa" in older documents are the same institutions now described as being in Odisha.

Which is better for B.Tech, IIT Bhubaneswar or NIT Rourkela?

Both are Institutes of National Importance. NIT Rourkela ranks higher in NIRF 2025 Engineering (13 against 39) and is older with a bigger alumni network, while IIT Bhubaneswar carries the IIT brand and admits only through JEE Advanced.

Which is the best medical college in Odisha?

AIIMS Bhubaneswar is the top medical institute in Odisha, ranked 14 in the NIRF 2025 Medical category, followed by SOA (15) and KIIT (24). Admission to all of them is through NEET-UG.

Which government universities in Odisha are the best?

Among central institutes, NIT Rourkela, IIT Bhubaneswar, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, IIM Sambalpur and NISER stand out. Among state universities, Utkal University (NIRF 2025 State Public Universities rank 48), OUAT (Agriculture rank 19) and VSSUT Burla are popular choices.

What is the fee for B.Tech at KIIT and SOA?

For 2025–26, B.Tech at KIIT costs roughly ₹3.5–4.5 lakh per year depending on the branch, and at SOA's ITER roughly ₹3–4 lakh per year. These are approximate figures, so check the latest fee structure on each university's website before applying.

Can I get a scholarship to study at top universities in Odisha?

Yes. You can apply for central schemes on the National Scholarship Portal, Odisha state scholarships, AICTE Pragati and Saksham, institute fee waivers and merit-based scholarship exams.

Conclusion: picking from the top universities in Odisha

The top universities in Odisha for 2026 give you strong options in every field: SOA and KIIT for broad private university education, NIT Rourkela and IIT Bhubaneswar for engineering, AIIMS Bhubaneswar for medicine, IIM Sambalpur and XIM University for management, and Utkal, OUAT and NISER for affordable or research-focused study.

Your next step: shortlist three to five institutes from the table, note their entrance exams and deadlines, and line up scholarships early. Explore more funding options on our scholarships in India page.