Looking for the top colleges in Gaya in 2026? Gaya has over 9+ colleges. Top government institutes include IIM Bodh Gaya, GCE GAYA, Magadh University, Buddha Institute of Technology, Government Engineering College, Jehanabad , and leading private universities are Aryabhatt Polytechnic, Buddha Polytechnic Institute . These colleges offer Bachelor of Technology, Diploma and other programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as JEE Main , GATE , CAT , XAT , GMAT .
When selecting the best colleges in Gaya, 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 Gaya 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Colleges in Gaya 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Gaya | 9+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | JEE Main , GATE , CAT , XAT , GMAT |
| Ownership | ~25% Private, ~75% Government |
| Top Recruiters | TCS, Accenture, Adani, Aditya Birla Capital, Adobe |
| Average Fees | ₹ 504 - ₹ 28.50 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 10.40 L - ₹ 13.70 L |
Top Colleges in Gaya 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 Gaya 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 31 | 33 | 53 |
Government vs Private Colleges in Gaya 2026
aspirants in Gaya 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 Gaya 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | ₹ 75.0 K - ₹ 28.50 L | CAT, GMAT | ₹ 10.40 L - ₹ 13.70 L | ₹ 11.80 L - ₹ 13.40 L | ₹ 20.00 L - ₹ 24.00 L |
| GCE GAYA | ₹ 10.5 K | JEE Main, GATE | - | - | - |
| Magadh University | ₹ 504 - ₹ 9.80 L | - | - | - | - |
| Buddha Institute of Technology | ₹ 2.80 L | - | - | - | - |
| Government Engineering College, Arwal | ₹ 4.13 L | JEE Main | - | - | - |
Top Private Colleges in Gaya 2026
| College |
| Aryabhatt Polytechnic |
| Buddha Polytechnic Institute |
Top Trending Courses in 2026
in Gaya 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) | IIM Bodh Gaya, Magadh University | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CUET | ₹ 1.7 K - ₹ 71.47 L | ₹ 1.78 L - ₹ 34.23 L |
| B.Tech.in Mechanical Engineering | GCE GAYA, Magadh University, Buddha Institute of Technology, Government Engineering College, Arwal, Government Engineering College, Jehanabad | JEE Main, CUET, IMU CET, MAH MBA CET, LPUNEST | ₹ 10.5 K - ₹ 28.77 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 23.91 L |
| B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | GCE GAYA, Magadh University, Buddha Institute of Technology, Government Engineering College, Arwal | JEE Main, CUET, IMU CET, MAH MBA CET, LPUNEST | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 31.48 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 52.32 L |
| Master of Computer Applications (MCA) | Magadh University | GATE, CAT, XAT, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 480 - ₹ 13.43 L | ₹ 1.80 L - ₹ 17.68 L |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | GCE GAYA, Magadh University, Buddha Institute of Technology, Government Engineering College, Arwal | JEE Main, CUET, IMU CET, MAH MBA CET, LPUNEST | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 28.60 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 23.91 L |
| Bachelor of Business Administration(BBA) | Magadh University, Buddha Institute of Technology | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 1.6 K - ₹ 26.00 L | ₹ 1.49 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| B.Tech. in Electronics and Communication Engineering | GCE GAYA, Magadh University, Buddha Institute of Technology, Government Engineering College, Jehanabad | JEE Main, CUET, IMU CET, MAH MBA CET, LPUNEST | ₹ 6.0 K - ₹ 28.60 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 27.30 L |
| Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) | Magadh University, Buddha Institute of Technology | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, CLAT, CUET | ₹ 540 - ₹ 17.02 L | ₹ 1.20 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) | Magadh University, Buddha Institute of Technology | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, WBJEE, CUET | ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 11.46 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 12.00 L |
| Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | Aryabhatt Polytechnic, Buddha Polytechnic Institute | CUET | ₹ 1.8 K - ₹ 7.80 L | ₹ 1.00 L - ₹ 8.00 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Colleges in Gaya 2026
Admission to the top colleges in Gaya is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| JEE Main | GCE GAYA, Buddha Institute of Technology, Government Engineering College, Arwal | 21 Jan - 30 Jan 2026 |
| GATE | GCE GAYA | - |
| CAT | IIM Bodh Gaya, Magadh University | - |
| XAT | Magadh University | 4 Jan 2026 |
| GMAT | IIM Bodh Gaya | - |
| Neet PG | Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College | - |
| CBSE Class 12 Exam | Magadh University, Buddha Institute of Technology, IHM Gaya | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Apr 2026 |
| GRE | IIM Bodh Gaya | - |
| AIMA MAT | Magadh University | 13 Dec 2025 |
| CMAT | Magadh University | 25 Jan 2026 |
| NCHMCT JEE | IHM Gaya | - |
FAQ About Colleges in Gaya 2026
Which is the No.1 college in Gaya?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 college in Gaya is IIM Bodh Gaya , followed by GCE GAYA and Magadh University .
What is the average fee in Gaya?
The average fees range from ₹ 504 - ₹ 28.50 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 75.0 K - ₹ 28.50 L per year, while private colleges may charge - per year.
Which private college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, Aryabhatt Polytechnic and Buddha Polytechnic Institute have the strongest placement records.