Looking for the top colleges in Kottayam in 2026? Kottayam has over 16+ colleges. Top government institutes include RIT, KTU, School of Medical Education, Gandhinagar - Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Government Medical College, Kottayam, IIMC Kottayam , and leading private universities are IIIT Kottayam, Saintgits Institute of Management, KITS, Gurudeva Institute of Science & Technology, Puthuppally, Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam . These colleges offer B.E. / B.Tech, Master of Business Administration and other programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as JEE Main , GATE , CAT , XAT , CUET .
When selecting the best colleges in Kottayam, 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 Kottayam 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Colleges in Kottayam 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Kottayam | 16+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | JEE Main , GATE , CAT , XAT , CUET |
| Ownership | ~67% Private, ~33% Government |
| Top Recruiters | Wipro, HCL, Infosys, TCS, Aditya Birla Group |
| Average Fees | ₹ 5.2 K - ₹ 20.80 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 3.00 L - ₹ 11.90 L |
Government vs Private Colleges in Kottayam 2026
aspirants in Kottayam 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 Kottayam 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| RIT | ₹ 28.0 K - ₹ 67.2 K | GATE | - | - | - |
| KTU | ₹ 28.0 K - ₹ 6.30 L | - | ₹ 3.00 L - ₹ 6.60 L | ₹ 3.80 L - ₹ 5.20 L | ₹ 10.00 L - ₹ 34.00 L |
| School of Medical Education, Gandhinagar - Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam | ₹ 5.20 L | - | - | - | - |
| Government Medical College, Kottayam | ₹ 5.2 K - ₹ 47.5 K | - | - | - | - |
| IIMC Kottayam | ₹ 52.0 K - ₹ 92.0 K | - | - | - | - |
Top Private Colleges in Kottayam 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| IIIT Kottayam | ₹ 2.23 L - ₹ 20.80 L | - | ₹ 11.90 L | ₹ 11.90 L | ₹ 50.00 L |
| Saintgits Institute of Management | ₹ 16.6 K - ₹ 5.52 L | CAT, CMAT | ₹ 4.70 L | ₹ 4.70 L | ₹ 14.70 L |
| KITS | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 2.74 L | - | - | - | - |
| Gurudeva Institute of Science & Technology, Puthuppally | ₹ 1.00 L - ₹ 2.00 L | - | - | - | - |
| Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam | ₹ 1.55 L - ₹ 5.96 L | GATE | - | - | - |
Top Trending Courses in 2026
in Kottayam 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) | Saintgits Institute of Management, KTU, KTU, SJCET, MCE | XAT, NMAT, GMAT, AP ICET, KMAT Kerala | ₹ 1.7 K - ₹ 71.47 L | ₹ 1.78 L - ₹ 35.22 L |
| B.Tech.in Mechanical Engineering | RIT, KTU, KTU, KITS, Gurudeva Institute of Science & Technology, Puthuppally | 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 | IIIT Kottayam, RIT, KTU, KTU, KITS | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 31.48 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 52.32 L |
| Master of Computer Applications (MCA) | RIT, KTU, KTU, Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam, MCE | GATE, CAT, XAT, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 480 - ₹ 13.43 L | ₹ 1.80 L - ₹ 17.68 L |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | RIT, KTU, KTU, KITS, Gurudeva Institute of Science & Technology, Puthuppally | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 28.60 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 23.91 L |
| Bachelor of Business Administration(BBA) | MCE | 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 | IIIT Kottayam, RIT, KTU, KTU, KITS | 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 | RIT, KTU, KTU, MCE | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, JEE Advanced, BITSAT | ₹ 8.3 K - ₹ 12.10 L | ₹ 2.40 L - ₹ 28.00 L |
| Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) | TOMS College of Engineering | CAT, XAT, WBJEE, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 11.46 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 18.00 L |
| Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | TOMS College of Engineering, GIT | JEE Main, WBJEE, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam, JEECUP | ₹ 1.8 K - ₹ 7.80 L | ₹ 1.00 L - ₹ 8.00 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Colleges in Kottayam 2026
Admission to the top colleges in Kottayam is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| JEE Main | KTU | 21 Jan - 30 Jan 2026 |
| GATE | RIT, KTU, Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam | - |
| CAT | Saintgits Institute of Management, KTU, Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam | 30 Nov 2025 |
| XAT | KTU, MCE | 4 Jan 2026 |
| CUET | KTU | - |
| CBSE Class 12 Exam | Saintgits Institute of Management, KTU, St. Berchmans College | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Apr 2026 |
| CMAT | Saintgits Institute of Management, KTU, Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam | 25 Jan 2026 |
| NATA | RIT, Mangalam School of Architecture, Kottayam, KTU | - |
| CBSE Class 10 Exam | MCE, TOMS College of Engineering, GIT | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Mar 2026 |
| CSIR NET | KTU | - |
| OJEE | KTU | - |
| UGC NET | KTU | - |
| AIMA MAT | KTU | - |
| KMAT Karnataka | KTU | - |
FAQ About Colleges in Kottayam 2026
Which is the No.1 college in Kottayam?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 college in Kottayam is RIT , followed by KTU and School of Medical Education, Gandhinagar - Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam .
What is the average fee in Kottayam?
The average fees range from ₹ 5.2 K - ₹ 20.80 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 28.0 K - ₹ 67.2 K per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 2.23 L - ₹ 20.80 L per year.
Which private college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, IIIT Kottayam and Saintgits Institute of Management and KITS have the strongest placement records.