Top Engineering Colleges in Uttar Pradesh 2026: NIRF Ranks & Fees

Looking for the top engineering colleges in Uttar Pradesh for 2026? UP has two IITs, an NIT, an IIIT, an Institute of National Importance for petroleum technology, strong state technical universities and a large cluster of private colleges in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad. This guide ranks the best B.Tech colleges in the state using the NIRF 2025 Engineering ranking and explains how admission, fees and placements work at each.

NIRF 2026 results had not been officially published with verifiable ranks at the time of writing, so every rank below comes from the NIRF 2025 Engineering list (released September 2025). Ranks 1–100 are individual positions. Below 100, NIRF only publishes rank bands such as 101–150.

Top 20 engineering colleges in Uttar Pradesh at a glance

The table lists UP institutes in NIRF 2025 Engineering order. Institutes inside the same band are not ranked against each other, so they are listed alphabetically.

The best B.Tech colleges in UP: institute-wise details

Fees below are approximate total B.Tech programme figures reported for 2025–26 and will change. Always confirm on the official website before you pay anything.

1. IIT Kanpur

IIT Kanpur is the highest-ranked engineering institute in Uttar Pradesh and among the top five in India. It is known for computer science, aerospace and electrical engineering, a large research ecosystem and a self-contained campus with its own airstrip.

• Established: 1959
• Type: Institute of National Importance (central)
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 4
• Popular courses: B.Tech in CSE, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Chemical; BS programmes
• Admission via: JEE Advanced, then JoSAA counselling
• Approx. fees: around ₹10–12 lakh for four years including hostel (fee waivers apply by family income and category)

2. IIT (BHU) Varanasi

IIT (BHU) sits inside the Banaras Hindu University campus and traces its roots to one of India's oldest engineering colleges. It received IIT status in 2012 and is strong in mining, metallurgy, ceramic and chemical engineering as well as CSE and electronics.

• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 10
• Popular courses: B.Tech and dual-degree (IDD) programmes in 15+ branches
• Admission via: JEE Advanced, then JoSAA
• Approx. fees: around ₹8–9 lakh for four years

3. Aligarh Muslim University – Zakir Husain College of Engineering & Technology

AMU's engineering faculty (ZHCET) is one of the most affordable high-ranked options in the country. Tuition is far lower than at private universities, which makes it a good value pick.

• Type: Central University
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 34 (listed as Aligarh Muslim University)
• Popular courses: B.Tech in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Computer, Chemical, Petrochemical
• Admission via: AMU's own B.Tech entrance test, then university counselling
• Approx. fees: low; check the AMU fee notice for the current year

4. Amity University, Noida

Amity Noida is the highest-ranked private university in the state's engineering list. It offers a long menu of B.Tech specialisations and a large campus with many industry tie-ups.

• Type: State Private University
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 37
• Popular courses: CSE (with AI, data science, cyber security tracks), ECE, Mechanical, Biotechnology
• Admission via: Amity's own application and evaluation process; JEE Main scores may be considered (check the current year's rules)
• Approx. fees: roughly ₹6–19 lakh for four years depending on branch

5. MMMUT Gorakhpur

Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology is a state government technical university in eastern UP. It ranked ahead of MNNIT in NIRF 2025 Engineering, which surprises many families.

• Type: State Government University
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 60
• Popular courses: CSE, ECE, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical
• Admission via: JEE Main rank with the university's own online counselling (separate from UPTAC; check the 2026–27 brochure)
• Approx. fees: much lower than private universities; check the official fee structure

6. MNNIT Allahabad (Prayagraj)

MNNIT is the National Institute of Technology for Uttar Pradesh. It is a top choice for JEE Main candidates, especially for CSE, ECE and electrical branches.

• Type: Institute of National Importance (NIT)
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 62
• Popular courses: B.Tech in CSE, ECE, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Biotechnology
• Admission via: JEE Main, then JoSAA/CSAB (50% home-state quota for UP domicile)
• Approx. fees: around ₹6–7 lakh for four years

7. RGIPT, Jais (Amethi)

Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology is a specialised Institute of National Importance focused on energy. It is a smart choice if you want petroleum, chemical or energy-sector careers.

• Type: Institute of National Importance
• NIRF 2025: Engineering rank 78
• Popular courses: Petroleum, Chemical, CSE, Electrical, Mechanical
• Admission via: JEE Advanced, then JoSAA
• Approx. fees: around ₹9–11 lakh for four years

8. IIIT Allahabad

IIIT Allahabad is an IT-focused Institute of National Importance in Prayagraj. Its strength is computing and electronics, and it is one of the most sought-after IIITs for JEE Main rank holders.

• NIRF 2025: Engineering band 101–150
• Popular courses: B.Tech IT, IT (Business Informatics), ECE
• Admission via: JEE Main, then JoSAA/CSAB
• Approx. fees: around ₹4–8 lakh for four years

9. Other ranked colleges in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad

The NCR belt of western UP has the largest number of ranked private engineering colleges. These are popular because of their location near the Delhi job market.

• JIIT Noida (Deemed, 101–150): strong in CSE, IT and ECE; JEE Main-based admission; approx. ₹13–15 lakh total.
• Sharda University (101–150): large multi-discipline campus; own process plus JEE Main/CUET options; approx. ₹6–13 lakh total.
• Galgotias University (101–150): many CSE specialisations; approx. ₹2–8 lakh total depending on branch.
• NIET Greater Noida (101–150): AKTU-affiliated; admission through UPTAC (JEE Main) and management quota.
• KIET Ghaziabad and G.L. Bajaj Greater Noida (both 151–200): well-known for CSE and IT placements in the AKTU system.
• JSS Academy of Technical Education, Noida (201–300): AKTU-affiliated, admission via UPTAC.

10. State and other well-known colleges

• HBTU Kanpur (201–300): one of UP's oldest technical institutions, known for chemical, oil, paint and food technology. B.Tech admission uses JEE Main rank with HBTU's own counselling.
• Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET) Lucknow: AKTU's constituent government college; admission through UPTAC. It did not appear among the UP entries we checked in the NIRF 2025 Engineering list.
• Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida: a research-focused private university (NIRF 2025 University category rank 57). No NIRF 2025 Engineering rank was found.
• Bennett University, Greater Noida: a private university set up in 2016 by The Times Group; admits through JEE Main, CUET, SAT or Class 12 marks. No NIRF 2025 Engineering rank was found.
• ABES Engineering College, Ghaziabad: AKTU-affiliated, admission via UPTAC. No NIRF 2025 Engineering rank was found.
• University of Allahabad, GLA Mathura, Dayalbagh Agra and Integral Lucknow are ranked options outside the NCR.

If you are comparing broader universities rather than only engineering colleges, see our separate guide to the top universities in Uttar Pradesh.

How admission to engineering colleges in Uttar Pradesh works

There is no single entrance test for every college in UP. The route depends on the type of institute.

1. IITs and RGIPT: Clear JEE Main to qualify for JEE Advanced. Seats at IIT Kanpur, IIT (BHU) and RGIPT are allotted through JoSAA based on your JEE Advanced rank.
2. NIT and IIIT: MNNIT Allahabad and IIIT Allahabad admit through JEE Main ranks in JoSAA, followed by CSAB special rounds for vacant seats.
3. AKTU-affiliated and state colleges: B.Tech seats in IET Lucknow, KNIT Sultanpur, BIET Jhansi and hundreds of AKTU-affiliated private colleges (KIET, ABES, JSS, NIET, AKGEC and others) are filled through UPTAC counselling run by AKTU, using JEE Main ranks.
4. State universities with own counselling: HBTU Kanpur and MMMUT Gorakhpur use JEE Main ranks but run separate registration and counselling. Apply on their portals as well as UPTAC.
5. AMU: AMU conducts its own B.Tech entrance test and counselling.
6. Private universities: Amity, Sharda, Galgotias, Bennett, Shiv Nadar and JIIT run their own applications. Many accept JEE Main scores, some have their own tests or interviews, and some consider Class 12 marks.

How to choose the right engineering college in UP

• Match the rank to the route: A JEE Advanced rank opens IITs and RGIPT; a JEE Main rank opens MNNIT, IIIT Allahabad, HBTU, MMMUT and UPTAC colleges. Fill both JoSAA and state options to keep backups.
• Branch versus college: A core branch at a higher-ranked institute often beats CSE at a much lower-ranked one in the long run, but your interest matters most.
• Total cost: Add tuition, hostel, mess and other charges for four years. Government institutes (AMU, MMMUT, HBTU, University of Allahabad) are far cheaper than private universities.
• Read placement data carefully: Use the placement numbers in each institute's NIRF data file or official report. Look at the median package and the share of students placed, not only the highest offer.
• Location: NCR colleges offer easier internship access; Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi and Gorakhpur offer lower living costs.

Scholarships and funding for B.Tech students in UP

Many good students drop a private college option only because of cost. Several funding routes can help.

• Fee waivers at IITs and NITs: Full or partial tuition waivers based on category and family income.
• UP post-matric scholarship: The Uttar Pradesh government's scholarship and fee reimbursement scheme supports eligible SC, ST, OBC, minority and general-category students in recognised colleges.
• National Scholarship Portal (NSP): Central schemes such as the AICTE Pragati (for girls) and Saksham (for students with disabilities) scholarships.
• Merit scholarships: Most private universities in Noida and Greater Noida give fee concessions based on JEE Main percentile or Class 12 marks.

You can also take the AISEE exam to apply for scholarships for engineering students at participating colleges. Practise with the free test series before the exam.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best engineering college in Uttar Pradesh?

IIT Kanpur is the best engineering college in Uttar Pradesh by NIRF 2025, with an Engineering rank of 4. IIT (BHU) Varanasi is second in the state at rank 10.

Which NIT is in Uttar Pradesh?

Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) in Prayagraj (Allahabad) is the NIT in Uttar Pradesh. It ranked 62 in NIRF 2025 Engineering and admits through JEE Main and JoSAA.

Is JEE Main required for B.Tech admission in UP state colleges?

Yes, for most of them. AKTU fills B.Tech seats in its constituent and affiliated colleges through UPTAC counselling using JEE Main ranks, and HBTU and MMMUT also use JEE Main ranks in their own counselling.

Which is the best private engineering college in Uttar Pradesh?

Amity University Noida is the highest-ranked private institute in UP, at 37 in NIRF 2025 Engineering. JIIT Noida, Sharda, Galgotias University and NIET follow in the 101–150 band.

What is the fee for B.Tech in the top colleges of UP?

It varies widely. Government institutes such as AMU, MMMUT and HBTU are among the cheapest, while IITs cost roughly ₹2–3 lakh a year before waivers. Top private universities can cost roughly ₹2–5 lakh a year. Always check the current fee notice.

Is MMMUT better than MNNIT?

In NIRF 2025 Engineering, MMMUT Gorakhpur (60) ranked slightly above MNNIT Allahabad (62). MNNIT has national-level recognition as an NIT and a wider all-India peer group, so compare branch, fees and placement data before deciding.

Conclusion: picking from the top engineering colleges in Uttar Pradesh

The top engineering colleges in Uttar Pradesh range from IIT Kanpur and IIT (BHU) at the national top to affordable state universities such as MMMUT and HBTU and a strong NCR private cluster. Start with your entrance route (JEE Advanced, JEE Main, UPTAC or a university test), shortlist by branch and total cost, and check placement data in official reports.

Your next step: note the 2026–27 counselling dates on the official portals, and keep an eye on the AISEE scholarship exam dates so funding is ready when your seat is.