Looking for the top colleges in Madurai in 2026? Madurai has over 7+ colleges. Top government institutes include Madurai Kamaraj University, Institute of Co-Operative Management, Madurai , and leading private universities are Thiagarajar School of Management, RL Institute of Management Studies, Glanis Institute of Allied Health Sciences . These colleges offer Master of Business Administration, B.Sc. and other programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as CAT , XAT , CBSE Class 12 Exam , ATMA , UGC NET .
When selecting the best colleges in Madurai, 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 Madurai 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Colleges in Madurai 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Madurai | 7+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | CAT , XAT , CBSE Class 12 Exam , ATMA , UGC NET |
| Ownership | ~60% Private, ~40% Government |
| Top Recruiters | Axis Bank, Asian Paints, HDFC Bank, Kotak Bank, Naukri Com |
| Average Fees | ₹ 700 - ₹ 6.21 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 2.80 L - ₹ 8.30 L |
Top Colleges in Madurai 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 Madurai 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| Thiagarajar School of Management | 80 | 82 | 90 |
| Thiagarajar College of Engineering | 101 | 101 | 101 |
Government vs Private Colleges in Madurai 2026
aspirants in Madurai 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 Madurai 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package |
| Madurai Kamaraj University | ₹ 700 - ₹ 6.21 L | - | ₹ 2.80 L | ₹ 2.80 L |
| Institute of Co-Operative Management, Madurai | ₹ 50.0 K | TANCET | - | - |
Top Private Colleges in Madurai 2026
| College | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package |
| Thiagarajar School of Management | CAT, XAT, ATMA, CMAT, TANCET | ₹ 8.30 L | ₹ 8.30 L |
| RL Institute of Management Studies | TANCET | - | - |
| Glanis Institute of Allied Health Sciences | - | - | - |
Top Trending Courses in 2026
in Madurai offers a wide range of courses to match industry demand and student interest. The most popular fields include Master of Business Administration (MBA) , Master of Computer Applications (MCA) , Bachelor of Business Administration(BBA) . 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) | Madurai Kamaraj University, Institute of Co-Operative Management, Madurai, RL Institute of Management Studies | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CUET | ₹ 1.7 K - ₹ 71.47 L | ₹ 1.78 L - ₹ 34.23 L |
| Master of Computer Applications (MCA) | Madurai Kamaraj University | GATE, CAT, XAT, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 480 - ₹ 13.43 L | ₹ 1.80 L - ₹ 17.68 L |
| Bachelor of Business Administration(BBA) | Madurai Kamaraj University | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 1.6 K - ₹ 26.00 L | ₹ 1.49 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) | Madurai Kamaraj University | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, CLAT, CUET | ₹ 540 - ₹ 17.02 L | ₹ 1.20 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) | Madurai Kamaraj University | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, WBJEE, CUET | ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 11.46 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 12.00 L |
| M.Sc. in Chemistry | Madurai Kamaraj University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, XAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 300 - ₹ 7.06 L | ₹ 1.08 L - ₹ 23.50 L |
| M.Sc. in Physics | Madurai Kamaraj University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, XAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 300 - ₹ 7.06 L | ₹ 2.20 L - ₹ 23.50 L |
| Master of Commerce (M.Com.) | Madurai Kamaraj University | CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam, MAH MBA CET, GUJCET, KMAT Karnataka | ₹ 432 - ₹ 6.45 L | ₹ 2.50 L - ₹ 10.00 L |
| M.Sc. in Mathematics | Madurai Kamaraj University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, XAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 300 - ₹ 7.06 L | ₹ 2.20 L - ₹ 23.50 L |
| M.A. in English | Madurai Kamaraj University | GATE, CAT, NIFT, CLAT, CUET | ₹ 300 - ₹ 13.28 L | ₹ 2.20 L - ₹ 23.10 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Colleges in Madurai 2026
Admission to the top colleges in Madurai is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| GATE | VCET | - |
| CAT | Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai Kamaraj University, SRM Madurai College for Engineering and Technology | - |
| XAT | Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai Kamaraj University, SRM Madurai College for Engineering and Technology | 4 Jan 2026 |
| CBSE Class 12 Exam | Madurai Kamaraj University, SRM Madurai College for Engineering and Technology, VCET | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Apr 2026 |
| TANCET | Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai Kamaraj University, SRM Madurai College for Engineering and Technology | 26 Mar 2026 |
| CMAT | Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai Kamaraj University, SRM Madurai College for Engineering and Technology | 25 Jan 2026 |
| ATMA | Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai Kamaraj University, SRM Madurai College for Engineering and Technology | - |
| AIMA MAT | Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai Kamaraj University, SRM Madurai College for Engineering and Technology | 13 Dec 2025 |
| UGC NET | Thiagarajar School of Management | - |
| NEET | AIIMS | - |
FAQ About Colleges in Madurai 2026
Which is the No.1 college in Madurai?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 college in Madurai is Madurai Kamaraj University , followed by Institute of Co-Operative Management, Madurai .
What is the average fee in Madurai?
The average fees range from ₹ 700 - ₹ 6.21 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 700 - ₹ 6.21 L per year, while private colleges may charge - per year.
Which private college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, Thiagarajar School of Management and RL Institute of Management Studies and Glanis Institute of Allied Health Sciences have the strongest placement records.