Looking for the top colleges in Chandigarh in 2026? Chandigarh has over 23+ colleges. Top government institutes include PGIMER Chandigarh, GMCH Chandigarh, Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, Panjab University, UIET Chandigarh , and leading private universities are Chandigarh University (CU), DAV College, CGC Landran, Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology, Narseee Monjee Insitute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Chandigarh . These colleges offer B.Sc., MBA/PGDM and other programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as JEE Main , GATE , CAT , XAT , NMAT .
When selecting the best colleges in Chandigarh, students should consider factors such as NIRF rankings, placement records, return on investment (ROI), location, faculty, and specializations. This guide highlights the top-ranked colleges in Chandigarh 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Colleges in Chandigarh 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Chandigarh | 23+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | JEE Main , GATE , CAT , XAT , NMAT |
| Ownership | ~38% Private, ~62% Government |
| Top Recruiters | Deloitte, Amazon, IBM, Wipro, Infosys |
| Average Fees | ₹ 2.9 K - ₹ 67.20 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 1.10 L - ₹ 28.00 L |
Top Colleges in Chandigarh by Rankings 2026
The NIRF 2025 is the most trusted ranking for colleges in India, evaluating institutes on teaching, research, graduation outcomes, outreach, and perception. Below are the top 10 colleges in Chandigarh 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Chandigarh University (CU) | 31 | 32 | 38 |
| GMCH Chandigarh | 34 | 35 | 32 |
| CGC Landran | - | 101 | 101 |
| Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh | 101 | 101 | 101 |
Other Ranking Agencies
Different media houses and education platforms release their own rankings every year besides NIRF. These rankings consider parameters like academic reputation, placements, infrastructure, research, and student perception. Below are the top colleges in Chandigarh 2026 as per various agencies.
India Today Rankings (2025, 2024, 2023)
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| Chandigarh University (CU) | - | - | 65 |
| GMCH Chandigarh | 17 | 15 | 14 |
The Week Rankings (2025, 2024, 2023)
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | - | - | 5 |
| GMCH Chandigarh | 15 | 14 | - |
Government vs Private Colleges in Chandigarh 2026
aspirants in Chandigarh can choose between government-funded institutes known for their affordability and high ROI, and private universities that offer modern infrastructure, global exposure, and multiple entrance options. The comparison below will help you determine which path best aligns with your academic and career goals.
Top Government Colleges in Chandigarh 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| PGIMER Chandigarh | ₹ 7.1 K - ₹ 20.27 L | - | - | - | - |
| GMCH Chandigarh | ₹ 28.7 K - ₹ 4.76 L | Neet PG, NEET | - | - | - |
| Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh | ₹ 73.0 K - ₹ 10.33 L | JEE Main, GATE | ₹ 16.00 L | ₹ 16.00 L | ₹ 83.00 L |
| Panjab University | ₹ 2.9 K - ₹ 15.23 L | - | ₹ 9.10 L - ₹ 12.40 L | ₹ 9.10 L | ₹ 24.00 L - ₹ 25.00 L |
| UIET Chandigarh | ₹ 58.2 K - ₹ 4.93 L | JEE Main, GATE | ₹ 8.70 L - ₹ 9.10 L | ₹ 9.10 L | ₹ 25.00 L - ₹ 45.00 L |
Top Private Colleges in Chandigarh 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| Chandigarh University (CU) | ₹ 68.0 K - ₹ 67.20 L | - | ₹ 6.60 L | ₹ 6.60 L | ₹ 28.00 L |
| DAV College | ₹ 92.9 K - ₹ 3.31 L | - | - | - | - |
| CGC Landran | ₹ 2.51 L - ₹ 16.88 L | JEE Main | - | - | - |
| Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology | ₹ 1.75 L - ₹ 1.96 L | CAT, CMAT | - | - | - |
| Narseee Monjee Insitute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Chandigarh | ₹ 11.55 L - ₹ 20.50 L | CLAT | - | - | - |
Top Trending Courses in 2026
in Chandigarh offers a wide range of courses to match industry demand and student interest. The most popular fields include Master of Business Administration (MBA) , B.Tech.in Mechanical Engineering , B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering . The table below highlights the top courses, their leading colleges, entrance exams, average fees, and placement packages.
| Course | Top Colleges | Entrance Exams | Average Fees (Total) | Average Package |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Chandigarh University (CU), Panjab University, DAV College, CGC Landran, UBS Chandigarh | XAT, NMAT, GMAT, AP ICET, KMAT Kerala | ₹ 1.7 K - ₹ 71.47 L | ₹ 1.78 L - ₹ 35.22 L |
| B.Tech.in Mechanical Engineering | Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, CGC Landran, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 10.5 K - ₹ 28.77 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 23.91 L |
| B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | CGC Landran, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 31.48 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 52.32 L |
| Master of Computer Applications (MCA) | Chandigarh University (CU), Panjab University, CGC Landran, Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology, Chitkara University | GATE, CAT, XAT, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 480 - ₹ 13.43 L | ₹ 1.80 L - ₹ 17.68 L |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 28.60 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 23.91 L |
| Bachelor of Business Administration(BBA) | Chandigarh University (CU), Panjab University, Panjab University, CGC Landran, Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 1.6 K - ₹ 94.63 L | ₹ 1.49 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| B.Tech.in Electronics and Communication Engineering | Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, CGC Landran, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 6.0 K - ₹ 28.60 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 27.30 L |
| M. Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, CGC Landran, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, JEE Advanced, BITSAT | ₹ 8.3 K - ₹ 12.10 L | ₹ 2.40 L - ₹ 28.00 L |
| Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) | Panjab University, Panjab University, DAV College, USOL, Chitkara University | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, CLAT, CUET | ₹ 540 - ₹ 17.02 L | ₹ 1.20 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) | Panjab University, DAV College, Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University | CAT, XAT, WBJEE, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 11.46 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 18.00 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Colleges in Chandigarh 2026
Admission to the top colleges in Chandigarh is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| JEE Main | Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, Panjab University, UIET Chandigarh | 21 Jan - 30 Jan 2026 |
| GATE | Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, UIET Chandigarh, National Institute of Technical Teachers' Training and Research | - |
| CAT | Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, UBS Chandigarh, Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology | 30 Nov 2025 |
| XAT | Chitkara University, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University, PML SD Business School | 4 Jan 2026 |
| NMAT | Chitkara University | 5 Nov 2025 - 23 Dec 2025 |
| CLAT | Narseee Monjee Insitute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Chandigarh | 7 Dec 2025 |
| Neet PG | GMCH Chandigarh | - |
| CUET | Panjab University, I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University | - |
| CBSE Class 12 Exam | PGIMER Chandigarh, Chandigarh University (CU), GMCH Chandigarh | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Apr 2026 |
| CMAT | Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology, Chitkara University | 25 Jan 2026 |
| AIMA MAT | Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, Gian Jyoti Institute of Management and Technology, Chitkara University | - |
| NCHMCT JEE | IHM Chandigarh, CIHMCT Chandigarh, UEI Global Chandigarh | - |
| CBSE Class 10 Exam | Indo-Swiss Training Centre, Government Polytechnic College For Women, Chandigarh, IIFD Chandigarh | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Mar 2026 |
| UCEED | Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh, Chitkara University | 18 Jan 2026 |
| ATMA | PML SD Business School | - |
| MAH MBA CET | I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University | - |
| NATA | Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh | - |
| NID DAT | Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh | - |
| NEET | GMCH Chandigarh | - |
| MET | I.K Gujral Punjab Technical University | - |
| NMIMS NPAT | Narseee Monjee Insitute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Chandigarh | - |
FAQ About Colleges in Chandigarh 2026
Which is the No.1 college in Chandigarh?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 college in Chandigarh is PGIMER Chandigarh , followed by GMCH Chandigarh and Punjab Engineering College Chandigarh .
What is the average fee in Chandigarh?
The average fees range from ₹ 2.9 K - ₹ 67.20 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 7.1 K - ₹ 20.27 L per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 68.0 K - ₹ 67.20 L per year.
Which private college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, Chandigarh University (CU) and DAV College and CGC Landran have the strongest placement records.