Looking for the top colleges in Kanpur in 2026? Kanpur has over 27+ colleges. Top government institutes include IIT Kanpur, HBTU Kanpur, ABVMU, AITH, CSAUK , and leading private universities are PSIT Kanpur, MPEC, KIT Kanpur, MPGI, Dr Virendra Swarup Group of Institutions . These colleges offer Master of Business Administration, BBA and other programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as JEE Main , GATE , CAT , XAT , JEE Advanced .
When selecting the best colleges in Kanpur, 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 Kanpur 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Colleges in Kanpur 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Kanpur | 27+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | JEE Main , GATE , CAT , XAT , JEE Advanced |
| Ownership | ~50% Private, ~50% Government |
| Top Recruiters | Wipro, HCL, CapGemini, Infosys, TCS |
| Average Fees | ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 1.49 Cr |
| Average Placement | ₹ 3.00 L - ₹ 18.20 L |
Top Colleges in Kanpur 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 Kanpur 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| IIT Kanpur | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| HBTU Kanpur | 201 | - | - |
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 Kanpur 2026 as per various agencies.
India Today Rankings (2025, 2024, 2023)
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| IIT Kanpur | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| HBTU Kanpur | 23 | 23 | 23 |
Government vs Private Colleges in Kanpur 2026
aspirants in Kanpur 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 Kanpur 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| IIT Kanpur | ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 15.20 L | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced | ₹ 16.30 L - ₹ 18.20 L | ₹ 16.80 L - ₹ 17.70 L | ₹ 24.00 L - ₹ 54.40 L |
| HBTU Kanpur | ₹ 1.63 L - ₹ 2.47 L | JEE Main, GATE | - | - | - |
| ABVMU | ₹ 2.73 L - ₹ 7.86 L | - | ₹ 3.50 L | ₹ 3.50 L | - |
| AITH | ₹ 38.0 K - ₹ 2.67 L | JEE Main, JEECUP | - | - | - |
| CSAUK | ₹ 81.0 K - ₹ 2.01 L | - | - | - | - |
Top Private Colleges in Kanpur 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| PSIT Kanpur | ₹ 2.53 L - ₹ 8.77 L | JEE Main, JEECUP | ₹ 4.50 L | ₹ 4.50 L | ₹ 40.00 L |
| MPEC | ₹ 1.22 L - ₹ 2.45 L | JEE Main, GATE | ₹ 3.50 L | ₹ 3.50 L | ₹ 19.00 L |
| KIT Kanpur | ₹ 1.33 L - ₹ 8.63 L | JEE Main, JEECUP | - | - | - |
| MPGI | ₹ 90.0 K - ₹ 19.24 L | - | ₹ 3.50 L | ₹ 3.50 L | ₹ 19.00 L |
| Dr Virendra Swarup Group of Institutions | ₹ 1.01 L - ₹ 2.45 L | JEE Main | - | - | - |
Top Trending Courses in 2026
in Kanpur 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) | IIT Kanpur, PSIT Kanpur, MPEC, KIT Kanpur, MPGI | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CUET | ₹ 1.7 K - ₹ 71.47 L | ₹ 1.78 L - ₹ 34.23 L |
| B.Tech.in Mechanical Engineering | IIT Kanpur, MPEC, KIT Kanpur, MPGI, CSAUK | 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 | IIT Kanpur, AITH, PSIT Kanpur, MPEC, KIT Kanpur | 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) | PSIT Kanpur, MPEC, KIT Kanpur, MPGI, CSJMU Kanpur University | GATE, CAT, XAT, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 480 - ₹ 13.43 L | ₹ 1.80 L - ₹ 17.68 L |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | IIT Kanpur, MPEC, MPGI, Dr Virendra Swarup Group of Institutions, Axis Colleges | 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) | PSIT Kanpur, KIT Kanpur, MPGI, School of Business Management, CSJM University, CSJMU Kanpur University | 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 | PSIT Kanpur, MPGI, CSAUK, CSJMU Kanpur University, Axis Colleges | JEE Main, CUET, IMU CET, MAH MBA CET, LPUNEST | ₹ 6.0 K - ₹ 28.60 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 27.30 L |
| M. Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | IIT Kanpur, HBTU Kanpur, PSIT Kanpur, KIT Kanpur, CSJMU Kanpur University | GATE, LPUNEST | ₹ 8.3 K - ₹ 12.10 L | ₹ 2.40 L - ₹ 28.00 L |
| Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) | CSJMU Kanpur University, PPN, Axis Colleges | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, CLAT, CUET | ₹ 540 - ₹ 17.02 L | ₹ 1.20 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) | MPGI, CSJMU Kanpur University, PPN, Banshi Group of Institutions, Rama University Kanpur | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, WBJEE, CUET | ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 11.46 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 12.00 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Colleges in Kanpur 2026
Admission to the top colleges in Kanpur is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| JEE Main | IIT Kanpur, HBTU Kanpur, AITH, Krishna Group of Institutions, Kanpur | 21 Jan - 30 Jan 2026 |
| GATE | IIT Kanpur, HBTU Kanpur, MPEC | - |
| CAT | IIT Kanpur, HBTU Kanpur, School of Business Management, CSJM University, Apollo Institute of Technology | - |
| XAT | Banshi Group of Institutions | 4 Jan 2026 |
| JEE Advanced | IIT Kanpur | - |
| CUET | HBTU Kanpur, AITH, PSIT Kanpur | - |
| CBSE Class 12 Exam | ABVMU, Krishna Group of Institutions, Kanpur, KIT Kanpur | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Apr 2026 |
| JEECUP | AITH, PSIT Kanpur, KIT Kanpur | - |
| AIMA MAT | School of Business Management, CSJM University, Apollo Institute of Technology, Banshi Group of Institutions | 13 Dec 2025 |
| CBSE Class 10 Exam | KIT Kanpur, Dr Virendra Swarup Group of Institutions, Apollo Institute of Technology | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Mar 2026 |
| CMAT | Banshi Group of Institutions, IPM, Dr. Gaur Hari Singhania Institute of Management and Research | 25 Jan 2026 |
| UGC NET | IIT Kanpur, HBTU Kanpur | - |
| CSIR NET | IIT Kanpur, HBTU Kanpur | - |
| NEET | MPGI, Rama University Kanpur | - |
| ATMA | Dr. Gaur Hari Singhania Institute of Management and Research | - |
| CEED | IIT Kanpur | 18 Jan 2026 |
FAQ About Colleges in Kanpur 2026
Which is the No.1 college in Kanpur?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 college in Kanpur is IIT Kanpur , followed by HBTU Kanpur and ABVMU .
What is the average fee in Kanpur?
The average fees range from ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 1.49 Cr per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 15.20 L per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 2.53 L - ₹ 8.77 L per year.
Which private college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, PSIT Kanpur and MPEC and KIT Kanpur have the strongest placement records.