Looking for the top colleges in Dharwad in 2026? Dharwad has over 5+ colleges. Top government institutes include IIT Dharwad , and leading private universities are IIIT Dharwad, SDM College of Engineering and Technology, SDM . These colleges offer B.E. / B.Tech, B.Sc. and other programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as JEE Main , GATE , JEE Advanced , Neet PG , CBSE Class 12 Exam .
When selecting the best colleges in Dharwad, 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 Dharwad 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Colleges in Dharwad 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Dharwad | 5+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | JEE Main , GATE , JEE Advanced , Neet PG , CBSE Class 12 Exam |
| Ownership | ~75% Private, ~25% Government |
| Top Recruiters | CapGemini, Infosys, Mercedes Benz, Mind Tree, Air Asia |
| Average Fees | ₹ 7.0 K - ₹ 21.42 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 12.00 L - ₹ 12.60 L |
Top Colleges in Dharwad 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 Dharwad 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| IIT Dharwad | 77 | 101 | 93 |
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 Dharwad 2026 as per various agencies.
India Today Rankings (2025, 2024, 2023)
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| SDM College of Engineering and Technology | 97 | 106 | 115 |
The Week Rankings (2025)
| College | 2025 |
| SDM College of Engineering and Technology | 70 |
Government vs Private Colleges in Dharwad 2026
aspirants in Dharwad 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 Dharwad 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| IIT Dharwad | ₹ 52.5 K - ₹ 12.81 L | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced | ₹ 12.60 L | ₹ 12.60 L | ₹ 52.00 L |
Top Private Colleges in Dharwad 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| IIIT Dharwad | ₹ 19.68 L | JEE Main | ₹ 12.00 L | ₹ 12.00 L | ₹ 78.10 L |
| SDM College of Engineering and Technology | ₹ 1.17 L - ₹ 10.46 L | GATE, COMEDK UGET, KCET | - | - | - |
| SDM | ₹ 7.0 K - ₹ 21.42 L | Neet PG, NEET | - | - | - |
Top Trending Courses in 2026
in Dharwad 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) | SDM College of Engineering and Technology | XAT, NMAT, GMAT, AP ICET, KMAT Kerala | ₹ 1.7 K - ₹ 71.47 L | ₹ 1.78 L - ₹ 35.22 L |
| B.Tech.in Mechanical Engineering | IIT Dharwad | 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 | IIT Dharwad, IIIT Dharwad | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 31.48 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 52.32 L |
| B.Tech.in Electronics and Communication Engineering | IIT Dharwad, IIIT Dharwad | 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 | SDM College of Engineering and Technology | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, JEE Advanced, BITSAT | ₹ 8.3 K - ₹ 12.10 L | ₹ 2.40 L - ₹ 28.00 L |
| M.Sc. in Chemistry | IIT Dharwad | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, XAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 300 - ₹ 7.06 L | ₹ 1.08 L - ₹ 23.50 L |
| M.Sc. in Physics | IIT Dharwad | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, XAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 300 - ₹ 7.06 L | ₹ 2.20 L - ₹ 23.50 L |
| M.Sc. in Mathematics | IIT Dharwad | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, XAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 300 - ₹ 7.06 L | ₹ 2.20 L - ₹ 23.50 L |
| BTech in Electrical Engineering | IIT Dharwad | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 6.0 K - ₹ 17.98 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 27.28 L |
| B.Tech. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering | IIT Dharwad | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 10.5 K - ₹ 22.05 L | ₹ 2.28 L - ₹ 17.00 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Colleges in Dharwad 2026
Admission to the top colleges in Dharwad is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| JEE Main | IIT Dharwad, IIITs | 21 Jan - 30 Jan 2026 |
| GATE | IIT Dharwad, SDM College of Engineering and Technology | - |
| JEE Advanced | IIT Dharwad | - |
| Neet PG | SDM | - |
| CBSE Class 12 Exam | SDM, Anjuman Institute of Information Science and Management, UAS Dharwad | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Apr 2026 |
| KCET | SDM College of Engineering and Technology, UAS Dharwad | - |
| KMAT Karnataka | Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade Institute of Management Studies & Research | - |
| NEET | SDM | - |
| COMEDK UGET | SDM College of Engineering and Technology | - |
FAQ About Colleges in Dharwad 2026
Which is the No.1 college in Dharwad?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 college in Dharwad is IIT Dharwad .
What is the average fee in Dharwad?
The average fees range from ₹ 7.0 K - ₹ 21.42 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 52.5 K - ₹ 12.81 L per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 19.68 L per year.
Which private college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, IIIT Dharwad and SDM College of Engineering and Technology and SDM have the strongest placement records.