Looking for the top colleges in Shillong in 2026? Shillong has over 11+ colleges. Top government institutes include IIM Shillong, NIT Meghalaya, NEHU Shillong, North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy , and leading private universities are University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, NIPS Hotel Management, Shillong, William Carey University Shillong, MIT Shillong . These colleges offer M.Sc., B.Sc. 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 Shillong, 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 Shillong 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Colleges in Shillong 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Shillong | 11+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | JEE Main , GATE , CAT , XAT , GMAT |
| Ownership | ~50% Private, ~50% Government |
| Top Recruiters | Amazon, Accenture, Cognizant, Deloitte, HSBC |
| Average Fees | ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 26.18 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 9.70 L - ₹ 26.10 L |
Top Colleges in Shillong 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 Shillong 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| IIM Shillong | 38 | 24 | 26 |
| NIT Meghalaya | 83 | 68 | 72 |
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 Shillong 2026 as per various agencies.
India Today Rankings (2025)
| College | 2025 |
| NIT Meghalaya | 56 |
Government vs Private Colleges in Shillong 2026
aspirants in Shillong 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 Shillong 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| IIM Shillong | ₹ 1.50 L - ₹ 26.18 L | CAT, GMAT | ₹ 24.40 L - ₹ 26.10 L | ₹ 24.80 L - ₹ 25.70 L | ₹ 35.00 L - ₹ 71.50 L |
| NIT Meghalaya | ₹ 69.5 K - ₹ 7.96 L | JEE Main, GATE | ₹ 9.70 L | ₹ 9.70 L | ₹ 46.30 L |
| NEHU Shillong | ₹ 15.7 K - ₹ 2.07 L | - | - | - | - |
| North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy | ₹ 1.41 L | NEET | - | - | - |
Top Private Colleges in Shillong 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams |
| University of Science and Technology Meghalaya | ₹ 1.27 L - ₹ 7.87 L | CAT, XAT |
| NIPS Hotel Management, Shillong | - | - |
| William Carey University Shillong | ₹ 60.0 K - ₹ 5.58 L | - |
| MIT Shillong | ₹ 90.0 K - ₹ 17.59 L | - |
Top Trending Courses in 2026
in Shillong 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 , 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) | University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, NEHU Shillong | CAT, XAT, NMAT, GMAT, CUET | ₹ 1.7 K - ₹ 71.47 L | ₹ 1.78 L - ₹ 34.23 L |
| B.Tech.in Mechanical Engineering | University of Science and Technology Meghalaya | JEE Main, CUET, IMU CET, MAH MBA CET, LPUNEST | ₹ 10.5 K - ₹ 28.77 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 23.91 L |
| Master of Computer Applications (MCA) | University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, William Carey University Shillong | GATE, CAT, XAT, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 480 - ₹ 13.43 L | ₹ 1.80 L - ₹ 17.68 L |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | University of Science and Technology Meghalaya | 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) | University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, NEHU Shillong | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 1.6 K - ₹ 26.00 L | ₹ 1.49 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| M. Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | NIT Meghalaya | GATE, LPUNEST | ₹ 8.3 K - ₹ 12.10 L | ₹ 2.40 L - ₹ 28.00 L |
| Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) | NEHU Shillong, William Carey University Shillong | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, CLAT, CUET | ₹ 540 - ₹ 17.02 L | ₹ 1.20 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) | University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, William Carey University Shillong, MIT Shillong | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, WBJEE, CUET | ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 11.46 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 12.00 L |
| M.Sc. in Chemistry | University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, NEHU Shillong, William Carey University Shillong | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, XAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 300 - ₹ 7.06 L | ₹ 1.08 L - ₹ 23.50 L |
| M.Sc. in Physics | University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, NEHU Shillong, William Carey University Shillong | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, XAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 300 - ₹ 7.06 L | ₹ 2.20 L - ₹ 23.50 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Colleges in Shillong 2026
Admission to the top colleges in Shillong is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| JEE Main | NITs, NEHU Shillong | 21 Jan - 30 Jan 2026 |
| GATE | NITs, IIM Shillong | - |
| CAT | IIM Shillong, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, MIT Shillong | - |
| XAT | University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, MIT Shillong | 4 Jan 2026 |
| GMAT | IIM Shillong | - |
| Neet PG | NEIGRIHMS | - |
| CUET | University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, NEHU Shillong, EFLU | - |
| CBSE Class 12 Exam | NEIGRIHMS, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, NIPS Hotel Management, Shillong | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Apr 2026 |
| NEET | NEIGRIHMS, North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy | - |
| AIMA MAT | University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, MIT Shillong | 13 Dec 2025 |
| NATA | NEHU Shillong | - |
| CBSE Class 10 Exam | IHM Shillong | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Mar 2026 |
| NCHMCT JEE | IHM Shillong | - |
| UCEED | MIT Shillong | 18 Jan 2026 |
| UGC NET | IIM Shillong | - |
| GRE | IIM Shillong | - |
| NID DAT | MIT Shillong | 21 Dec 2025 |
| MITID DAT | MIT Shillong | 5 Apr 2026 |
FAQ About Colleges in Shillong 2026
Which is the No.1 college in Shillong?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 college in Shillong is IIM Shillong , followed by NIT Meghalaya and NEHU Shillong .
What is the average fee in Shillong?
The average fees range from ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 26.18 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 1.50 L - ₹ 26.18 L per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 1.27 L - ₹ 7.87 L per year.
Which private college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, University of Science and Technology Meghalaya and NIPS Hotel Management, Shillong and William Carey University Shillong have the strongest placement records.