Top Engineering Colleges in Karnataka 2026: NIRF Ranks & Fees

Karnataka – and Bengaluru in particular – is one of India's biggest hubs for engineering education. This 2026 guide to the top engineering colleges in Karnataka lists the best B.Tech / B.E. colleges by their official NIRF 2025 Engineering rank, then explains how admission works through KCET, COMEDK UGET, JEE Main and private entrance tests, and what fees you can expect under each quota.

Top 20 engineering colleges in Karnataka at a glance (2026)

The table below follows the order of the NIRF 2025 Engineering ranking released by the Ministry of Education in September 2025. Colleges in the same rank band are listed alphabetically, because NIRF does not publish an exact position inside a band.

Top engineering colleges in Karnataka: detailed profiles

Here is a short profile of each college with its type, NIRF 2025 position, main entry route and an approximate yearly tuition fee. Fees change every year and differ by branch and quota, so treat the figures only as a starting point.

1. NIT Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal

Set on the coast near Mangaluru, NITK is the highest-ranked engineering institute in the state and one of the strongest NITs in India. It started in 1960 as Karnataka Regional Engineering College and is known for solid placements across CSE, ECE, mechanical, civil and chemical engineering.

• Established: 1960
• Type: Institute of National Importance (NIT)
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 17
• Popular courses: B.Tech CSE, IT, ECE, EEE, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, AI
• Admission via: JEE Main → JoSAA / CSAB counselling
• Approx. fees: about ₹1.25 lakh a year tuition plus hostel; income-based waivers apply – see nitk.ac.in

2. Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal

MIT is the engineering arm of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE). It offers one of the widest choices of B.Tech branches in the country, a large residential campus in Udupi district and strong industry ties.

• Established: 1957
• Type: Constituent institute of a Deemed University (MAHE)
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 59
• Popular courses: B.Tech CSE, CSE (AI & ML), ECE, Mechatronics, Data Science
• Admission via: MET (Manipal Entrance Test); some seats via JEE Main score
• Approx. fees: roughly ₹2.5–6 lakh a year depending on branch – see manipal.edu/mit

3. IIIT Bangalore (IIITB)

IIIT Bangalore began as a postgraduate-focused IT institute, but it now runs both a 4-year B.Tech and a 5-year Integrated M.Tech in CSE and ECE at its Electronics City campus. It is small, research-oriented and has excellent tech-industry links.

• Established: 1999
• Type: Deemed University (not-for-profit)
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 69
• Popular courses: B.Tech and Integrated M.Tech in CSE and ECE
• Admission via: JEE Main / JEE Advanced rank, through IIITB's own counselling
• Approx. fees: about ₹2.3–2.8 lakh a year tuition (2025-26) – see iiitb.ac.in

4. M. S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT), Bengaluru

MSRIT is the highest-ranked VTU-affiliated college in NIRF 2025. Its Mathikere campus is close to the IISc area, and it is a favourite among students with good KCET and COMEDK ranks.

• Established: 1962
• Type: Private, autonomous college affiliated to VTU
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 75
• Popular courses: B.E. CSE, AI & ML, ISE, ECE, Mechanical
• Admission via: KCET, COMEDK UGET, management quota
• Approx. fees: as per government/COMEDK quota (see fee section); higher for management seats

5. Christ University – School of Engineering and Technology, Bengaluru

Christ (Deemed to be University) runs its B.Tech programmes at the Kengeri campus. Students who like a disciplined campus culture and smaller batches often shortlist it.

• Type: Deemed University (private)
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 76
• Popular courses: B.Tech CSE, AI & ML, ECE, Civil, Mechanical, Robotics
• Admission via: Christ University entrance process (test + interview)
• Approx. fees: about ₹2.2–3 lakh a year – check the university website

6. IIT Dharwad

One of the newer IITs, IIT Dharwad moved into its permanent campus in north Karnataka and entered the NIRF engineering top 100 for the first time in 2025. It is the only IIT in the state.

• Established: 2016
• Type: Institute of National Importance (IIT)
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 77
• Popular courses: B.Tech CSE, EE, Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Engineering Physics
• Admission via: JEE Advanced → JoSAA
• Approx. fees: about ₹2 lakh a year tuition; full or partial waiver for SC/ST/PwD and lower-income families

7. Jain University – Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Bengaluru

Jain (Deemed-to-be University) has a large engineering campus off Kanakapura Road. It offers many industry-tied specialisations in computing and electronics.

• Type: Deemed University (private)
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 84
• Popular courses: B.Tech CSE (various specialisations), ECE, Aerospace, Mechanical
• Admission via: JET (Jain Entrance Test); JEE Main / KCET / COMEDK scores also considered
• Approx. fees: about ₹1.5–3.5 lakh a year depending on branch

8. PES University, Bengaluru

PES University grew out of the PES Institute of Technology and is known for strong CSE placements and a demanding academic schedule. It has campuses on Ring Road and Electronic City.

• Type: State Private University
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank band 101–150
• Popular courses: B.Tech CSE, AI & ML, ECE, EEE, Mechanical, Biotechnology
• Admission via: PESSAT, KCET, COMEDK UGET
• Approx. fees: about ₹1–5 lakh a year depending on quota (PESSAT seats are the costliest)

9. R. V. College of Engineering (RVCE), Bengaluru

RVCE on Mysuru Road is one of the most sought-after colleges in KCET counselling; its CSE cut-off usually closes at a very high rank.

• Established: 1963
• Type: Private, autonomous college affiliated to VTU
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank band 101–150
• Popular courses: B.E. CSE, ISE, ECE, AI & ML, Aerospace, Mechanical
• Admission via: KCET, COMEDK UGET, management quota
• Approx. fees: as per government/COMEDK quota; management seats much higher

10. Siddaganga Institute of Technology (SIT), Tumakuru

About 70 km from Bengaluru, SIT is often called the best value-for-money option outside the capital, with a calm campus, lower living costs and a good academic record.

• Established: 1963
• Type: Private, autonomous college affiliated to VTU
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank band 101–150
• Popular courses: B.E. CSE, ECE, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical
• Admission via: KCET, COMEDK UGET, management quota
• Approx. fees: as per government/COMEDK quota

Other well-known colleges worth shortlisting

These colleges round out the top 20. Most are autonomous colleges under VTU or private universities that admit students through KCET and COMEDK UGET, with a small management quota.

• Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology (NMIT), Bengaluru – established 2001; NIRF 2025 band 101–150; known for aeronautical engineering and CSE.
• B. M. S. College of Engineering, Bengaluru – founded in 1946 and among the oldest private engineering colleges in India; NIRF 2025 band 151–200; central Basavanagudi campus.
• The National Institute of Engineering (NIE), Mysuru – founded in 1946; NIRF 2025 band 151–200; good choice for students who prefer Mysuru.
• NMAM Institute of Technology, Nitte (Udupi) – NIRF 2025 band 151–200; now a campus of Nitte (Deemed to be University), so confirm the current admission route on the official site.
• KLE Technological University, Hubballi – NIRF 2025 band 151–200; the leading private option in north Karnataka.
• CMR Institute of Technology, Bengaluru – NIRF 2025 band 151–200; located in the Whitefield–ITPL corridor.
• Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Bengaluru – NIRF 2025 band 201–300; wide range of branches.
• JSS Science and Technology University, Mysuru – the former SJCE; NIRF 2025 band 201–300.
• REVA University, Bengaluru – NIRF 2025 band 201–300; admits through its own REVA CET as well as KCET and COMEDK.
• UVCE, Bengaluru – founded in 1917 and now an autonomous government institution; not in the NIRF 2025 engineering list, but its very low government fees and central location make it popular with KCET rankers.
• Bangalore Institute of Technology (BIT) – a long-established VTU college near KR Road; it does not appear in the NIRF 2025 engineering list, but it fills a large number of KCET seats every year.

If you are also comparing universities for non-engineering courses, see our list of the top universities in Karnataka.

How admission to engineering colleges in Karnataka works

Unlike many states, Karnataka uses several parallel routes. The same private college can fill one share of its seats through the state exam, another through COMEDK and the rest through management quota. Here is the usual sequence:

1. Check eligibility. You need Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics plus one of Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Computer Science or an equivalent subject, usually with at least 45% (40% for reserved categories in state counselling).
2. Write KCET (Karnataka domicile students). The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) holds KCET every April. Ranks combine the CET score and Class 12 PCM marks and are used for government-quota seats in government, aided and private colleges. Details are on the KEA portal.
3. Write COMEDK UGET (open to all-India candidates). The Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka conducts this computer-based test, usually in May, for the COMEDK share of seats in member private colleges such as RVCE, MSRIT, BMSCE, PES and Dayananda Sagar. See comedk.org.
4. Write JEE Main (and JEE Advanced). JEE Main leads to NITK Surathkal through JoSAA and is also used by IIIT Bangalore. IIT Dharwad needs JEE Advanced.
5. Take private university tests if needed. MET for Manipal, PESSAT for PES University, JET for Jain, REVA CET for REVA, and Christ's own entrance process.
6. Join counselling and lock choices. KEA and COMEDK run separate online counselling rounds; you can take part in both and upgrade in later rounds. Always report to the college and pay fees before the deadline.

Approximate fees by quota

In private unaided colleges, roughly 45% of seats go to the government (KCET) quota, about 30% to COMEDK and the rest to management. The state government fixes the first two fee levels and has raised them by single-digit percentages each year (7.5% for 2025-26).

How to choose the right engineering college in Karnataka

A good NIRF rank is a useful filter, but the right college for you depends on your rank, budget and branch preference. Keep these points in mind:

• Branch vs college: CSE at a 101–150 band college can be a better fit than a less-preferred branch at a higher-ranked one, if software is your goal. For core branches, prefer stronger labs and faculty.
• Use past cut-offs: Compare last year's KCET and COMEDK closing ranks for your category before filling options.
• Look at placement reports: Check median salary and the share of students placed, not just the highest package.
• Count total cost: Add hostel, transport and living costs; Bengaluru is more expensive than Tumakuru or Mysuru.

Scholarships and funding for engineering students

Engineering fees in private colleges can add up quickly, so plan funding early.

• AISEE scholarship: The All India Scholarship Entrance Examination offers fee support for students joining engineering and other courses. Read more about the AISEE scholarship for engineering students and check the important exam dates.
• National Scholarship Portal (NSP): Central schemes such as the Central Sector Scheme and post-matric scholarships for SC/ST/OBC/minority students are applied for on scholarships.gov.in.
• AICTE schemes: Pragati (for girls) and Saksham (for students with disabilities) support technical-education students.
• Karnataka state schemes: The State Scholarship Portal (SSP) handles fee reimbursement and post-matric scholarships for eligible Karnataka students.
• Institute fee waivers: NITK and IIT Dharwad offer tuition waivers based on family income and category; many private universities also give merit scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the No. 1 engineering college in Karnataka?

According to NIRF 2025 (Engineering), NIT Karnataka, Surathkal is the No. 1 engineering college in Karnataka with a national rank of 17. Manipal Institute of Technology (rank 59) and IIIT Bangalore (rank 69) follow.

Which is the best engineering college in Bengaluru?

Among Bengaluru colleges, IIIT Bangalore (69), M. S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology (75), Christ University (76) and Jain University (84) are inside the NIRF 2025 engineering top 100. RVCE, PES University and NMIT are in the 101–150 band and remain very popular in KCET and COMEDK counselling.

Can students from other states get admission in Karnataka engineering colleges?

Yes. Students from outside Karnataka can apply through COMEDK UGET for private colleges, JEE Main for NITK and IIIT Bangalore, JEE Advanced for IIT Dharwad, and private tests such as MET, PESSAT or JET. KCET government seats are mainly for Karnataka-eligible candidates.

Is RVCE better than MSRIT?

Both are top private autonomous colleges in Bengaluru. In NIRF 2025, MSRIT is ranked 75 while RVCE is in the 101–150 band, but RVCE often has higher KCET cut-offs for CSE. Compare branch-wise placements and your own rank before deciding.

What is the fee for engineering in Karnataka through KCET?

For a government-quota seat in a private unaided college, tuition is roughly ₹80,000 to ₹1.1 lakh a year (2025-26), while government colleges charge far less. COMEDK seats cost roughly ₹2 to 2.8 lakh a year. Always check the latest KEA notification.

Does IIIT Bangalore offer B.Tech?

Yes. IIIT Bangalore offers a 4-year B.Tech and a 5-year Integrated M.Tech in CSE and ECE, along with M.Tech and PhD programmes. Admission to the undergraduate programmes is based on JEE ranks through the institute's own counselling.

Conclusion: picking from the top engineering colleges in Karnataka

The top engineering colleges in Karnataka range from national institutes like NITK Surathkal and IIT Dharwad to strong private names such as MIT Manipal, MSRIT, RVCE and PES University. Shortlist by NIRF 2025 rank, then narrow down by branch, cut-off, total fees and location.

Your next step: register for KCET, COMEDK UGET and JEE Main on time, practise with mock tests, and plan your funding early. You can start with the AISEE free test series to check where you stand.