Looking for the top colleges in Kochi in 2026? Kochi has over 30+ colleges. Top government institutes include NLU Kochi, CUSAT, MEC Kochi, RSET, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies , and leading private universities are RCBS, Rajagiri Business School, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi, SCMS Cochin School of Business, KBS . These colleges offer Master of Business Administration, MBA/PGDM 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 Kochi, 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 Kochi 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Colleges in Kochi 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Kochi | 30+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | JEE Main , GATE , CAT , XAT , GMAT |
| Ownership | ~67% Private, ~33% Government |
| Top Recruiters | Amazon, Axis Bank, Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, Infosys |
| Average Fees | ₹ 1.9 K - ₹ 1.29 Cr |
| Average Placement | ₹ 60.0 K - ₹ 9.00 L |
Top Colleges in Kochi 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 Kochi 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| NLU Kochi | - | 38 | - |
| Rajagiri Business School | 91 | 93 | 83 |
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 Kochi 2026 as per various agencies.
India Today Rankings (2025, 2024, 2023)
The Week Rankings (2025)
| College | 2025 |
| MEC Kochi | 78 |
Government vs Private Colleges in Kochi 2026
aspirants in Kochi 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 Kochi 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| NLU Kochi | ₹ 22.0 K - ₹ 9.94 L | CLAT | - | - | - |
| CUSAT | ₹ 8.3 K - ₹ 6.62 L | GATE, IPU CET | ₹ 5.80 L - ₹ 6.10 L | ₹ 6.00 L - ₹ 6.10 L | ₹ 9.00 L - ₹ 15.00 L |
| MEC Kochi | ₹ 1.00 L - ₹ 3.06 L | GATE | ₹ 6.60 L | ₹ 6.60 L | ₹ 30.00 L |
| RSET | ₹ 1.69 L - ₹ 4.00 L | GATE | ₹ 3.50 L | ₹ 3.50 L | - |
| Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies | ₹ 25.3 K - ₹ 3.02 L | - | - | - | - |
Top Private Colleges in Kochi 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| RCBS | ₹ 1.84 L - ₹ 7.00 L | CAT, XAT, CMAT | ₹ 6.00 L | ₹ 6.00 L | - |
| Rajagiri Business School | ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 9.51 L | CAT, XAT, CMAT, KMAT Karnataka | ₹ 6.00 L | ₹ 6.00 L | - |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi | ₹ 90.0 K - ₹ 1.29 Cr | CAT, XAT, CMAT | ₹ 8.50 L | ₹ 8.50 L | ₹ 12.00 L |
| SCMS Cochin School of Business | ₹ 4.37 L - ₹ 10.01 L | CAT, XAT, ATMA, CMAT | ₹ 7.00 L - ₹ 8.00 L | ₹ 7.10 L - ₹ 8.00 L | ₹ 12.50 L - ₹ 16.50 L |
| KBS | ₹ 4.00 L | CMAT | - | - | - |
Top Trending Courses in 2026
in Kochi 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) | CUSAT, RCBS, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi, De Paul Institute of Science and Technology, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CUET | ₹ 1.7 K - ₹ 71.47 L | ₹ 1.78 L - ₹ 34.23 L |
| B.Tech.in Mechanical Engineering | CUSAT, MEC Kochi, RSET, MG University, Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth Kochi | 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 | CUSAT, MEC Kochi, RSET, MG University, Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth Kochi | 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) | CUSAT, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi, De Paul Institute of Science and Technology, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, MG University | GATE, CAT, XAT, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 480 - ₹ 13.43 L | ₹ 1.80 L - ₹ 17.68 L |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | CUSAT, RSET, MG University, Christ Knowledge City | 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) | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi, Jai Bharath Arts and Science College, MG University, K.M.M. College of Arts and Science | 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 | CUSAT, MEC Kochi, RSET, MG University, Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth Kochi | 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 | RSET, MG University | GATE, LPUNEST | ₹ 8.3 K - ₹ 12.10 L | ₹ 2.40 L - ₹ 28.00 L |
| Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) | MG University | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, CLAT, CUET | ₹ 540 - ₹ 17.02 L | ₹ 1.20 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi, MG University | 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 Kochi 2026
Admission to the top colleges in Kochi is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| JEE Main | Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth Kochi | 21 Jan - 30 Jan 2026 |
| GATE | CUSAT, MEC Kochi, RSET | - |
| CAT | CUSAT, RCBS, Rajagiri Business School | - |
| XAT | RCBS, Rajagiri Business School, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi | 4 Jan 2026 |
| GMAT | MBS | - |
| Neet PG | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi, Medical Trust Hospital | - |
| CLAT | NLU Kochi | - |
| CUET | Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth Kochi | - |
| CBSE Class 12 Exam | NLU Kochi, CUSAT, MEC Kochi | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Apr 2026 |
| CMAT | CUSAT, RCBS, Rajagiri Business School | 25 Jan 2026 |
| AIMA MAT | CUSAT, RCBS, Rajagiri Business School | 13 Dec 2025 |
| KMAT Karnataka | Rajagiri Business School, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, K.M.M. College of Arts and Science | - |
| ATMA | SCMS Cochin School of Business, MBS | - |
| NEET | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi | - |
| KMAT Kerala | SCMS Cochin School of Business, KBS | - |
| IPU CET | CUSAT | - |
FAQ About Colleges in Kochi 2026
Which is the No.1 college in Kochi?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 college in Kochi is NLU Kochi , followed by CUSAT and MEC Kochi .
What is the average fee in Kochi?
The average fees range from ₹ 1.9 K - ₹ 1.29 Cr per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 22.0 K - ₹ 9.94 L per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 1.84 L - ₹ 7.00 L per year.
Which private college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, RCBS and Rajagiri Business School and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Kochi have the strongest placement records.