Looking for the top colleges in Salem in 2026? Salem has over 9+ colleges. Top government institutes include IIHT, VCRI, Periyar University , and leading private universities are Ganesh College Of Engineering, Narasu's Sarathy Institute of Technology, Knowledge Institute of Technology, Tagore Institute of Engineering and Technology - TIET Salem, Bharathiyar Institute of Engineering for Women . These colleges offer B.E. / B.Tech, Ph.D. and other programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as JEE Main , GATE , CAT , CBSE Class 12 Exam , CBSE Class 10 Exam .
When selecting the best colleges in Salem, 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 Salem 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Colleges in Salem 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Salem | 9+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | JEE Main , GATE , CAT , CBSE Class 12 Exam , CBSE Class 10 Exam |
| Ownership | ~67% Private, ~33% Government |
| Top Recruiters | HCL, Cognizant, Hexaware Technologies, IDBI Bank, Infosys |
| Average Fees | ₹ 600 - ₹ 5.00 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 1.60 L - ₹ 6.80 L |
Government vs Private Colleges in Salem 2026
aspirants in Salem 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 Salem 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| IIHT | ₹ 2.00 L | JEE Main | - | - | - |
| VCRI | ₹ 48.3 K | - | - | - | - |
| Periyar University | ₹ 600 - ₹ 5.00 L | - | ₹ 1.60 L - ₹ 1.90 L | ₹ 1.80 L - ₹ 1.90 L | ₹ 3.50 L - ₹ 3.60 L |
Top Private Colleges in Salem 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| Ganesh College Of Engineering | ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 2.00 L | GATE | - | - | - |
| Narasu's Sarathy Institute of Technology | ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 2.00 L | GATE | - | - | - |
| Knowledge Institute of Technology | ₹ 70.0 K - ₹ 2.00 L | GATE | ₹ 3.00 L | ₹ 3.00 L | ₹ 18.50 L |
| Tagore Institute of Engineering and Technology - TIET Salem | ₹ 35.0 K - ₹ 2.00 L | TANCET | - | - | - |
| Bharathiyar Institute of Engineering for Women | ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 2.00 L | GATE | - | - | - |
Top Trending Courses in 2026
in Salem 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 Computer Science and Engineering , Master of Computer Applications (MCA) . 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) | Knowledge Institute of Technology, Tagore Institute of Engineering and Technology - TIET Salem, Periyar University, Periyar University | XAT, NMAT, GMAT, AP ICET, MHT CET | ₹ 1.7 K - ₹ 71.47 L | ₹ 1.78 L - ₹ 35.22 L |
| B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | Bharathiyar Institute of Engineering for Women | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 31.48 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 52.32 L |
| Master of Computer Applications (MCA) | Periyar University, Sona College of Technology | GATE, CAT, XAT, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 480 - ₹ 13.43 L | ₹ 1.80 L - ₹ 17.68 L |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | Bharathiyar Institute of Engineering for Women | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 28.60 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 23.91 L |
| Bachelor of Business Administration(BBA) | Periyar University | JEE Main, CAT, BITSAT, XAT, WBJEE | ₹ 1.6 K - ₹ 94.63 L | ₹ 1.49 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| B.Tech.in Electronics and Communication Engineering | Bharathiyar Institute of Engineering for Women | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 6.0 K - ₹ 28.60 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 27.30 L |
| Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) | Periyar University, Periyar University | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, CLAT, CUET | ₹ 540 - ₹ 17.02 L | ₹ 1.20 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) | Periyar University | CAT, XAT, WBJEE, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 11.46 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 18.00 L |
| M.Sc. in Chemistry | Periyar University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, XAT, BITSAT | ₹ 300 - ₹ 7.06 L | ₹ 1.08 L - ₹ 23.50 L |
| M.Sc. in Physics | Periyar University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, XAT, BITSAT | ₹ 300 - ₹ 7.06 L | ₹ 2.20 L - ₹ 23.50 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Colleges in Salem 2026
Admission to the top colleges in Salem is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| JEE Main | IIHT, Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation | 21 Jan - 30 Jan 2026 |
| GATE | Ganesh College Of Engineering, Narasu's Sarathy Institute of Technology, Annapoorana Engineering College | - |
| CAT | Periyar University | 30 Nov 2025 |
| CUET | Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation | - |
| CBSE Class 12 Exam | Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation, VCRI, Ganesh College Of Engineering | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Apr 2026 |
| TANCET | Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation, Knowledge Institute of Technology, Tagore Institute of Engineering and Technology - TIET Salem | - |
| AIMA MAT | Periyar University | - |
| CBSE Class 10 Exam | IIHT | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Mar 2026 |
FAQ About Colleges in Salem 2026
Which is the No.1 college in Salem?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 college in Salem is IIHT , followed by VCRI and Periyar University .
What is the average fee in Salem?
The average fees range from ₹ 600 - ₹ 5.00 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 2.00 L per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 2.00 L per year.
Which private college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, Ganesh College Of Engineering and Narasu's Sarathy Institute of Technology and Knowledge Institute of Technology have the strongest placement records.