Looking for the top colleges in Shimoga in 2026? Shimoga has over 7+ colleges. Top government institutes include SIMS, Kuvempu University , and leading private universities are JNNCE, PES Shimoga, PES Polytechnic College,Shivamogga, P.E.S. Institute of Advanced Management Studies . These colleges offer MCA, Master of Business Administration and other programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as GATE , Neet PG , CBSE Class 12 Exam , KMAT Karnataka , NEET .
When selecting the best colleges in Shimoga, 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 Shimoga 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Colleges in Shimoga 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Shimoga | 7+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | GATE , Neet PG , CBSE Class 12 Exam , KMAT Karnataka , NEET |
| Ownership | ~67% Private, ~33% Government |
| Top Recruiters | IBM, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Vivo Mobile, Airtel |
| Average Fees | ₹ 1.6 K - ₹ 7.44 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 1.40 L - ₹ 3.00 L |
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 Shimoga 2026 as per various agencies.
India Today Rankings (2025, 2024, 2023)
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| JNNCE | 69 | 74 | 78 |
The Week Rankings (2025)
| College | 2025 |
| JNNCE | 81 |
Government vs Private Colleges in Shimoga 2026
aspirants in Shimoga 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 Shimoga 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| SIMS | ₹ 1.17 L - ₹ 3.42 L | Neet PG, NEET | - | - | - |
| Kuvempu University | ₹ 1.6 K - ₹ 1.72 L | - | ₹ 1.40 L | ₹ 1.40 L | ₹ 2.20 L |
Top Private Colleges in Shimoga 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| JNNCE | ₹ 1.17 L - ₹ 7.44 L | GATE, COMEDK UGET, KCET | ₹ 3.00 L | ₹ 3.00 L | ₹ 6.20 L |
| PES Shimoga | ₹ 1.17 L - ₹ 7.44 L | KMAT Karnataka | - | - | - |
| PES Polytechnic College,Shivamogga | ₹ 12.8 K | - | - | - | - |
| P.E.S. Institute of Advanced Management Studies | - | - | - | - | - |
Top Trending Courses in 2026
in Shimoga 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) | JNNCE, PES Shimoga, Kuvempu University, Kuvempu University | XAT, NMAT, GMAT, AP ICET, MHT CET | ₹ 1.7 K - ₹ 71.47 L | ₹ 1.78 L - ₹ 35.22 L |
| Master of Computer Applications (MCA) | JNNCE, PES Shimoga, Kuvempu University, P.E.S. Institute of Advanced Management Studies | GATE, CAT, XAT, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 480 - ₹ 13.43 L | ₹ 1.80 L - ₹ 17.68 L |
| Bachelor of Business Administration(BBA) | Kuvempu University, Kuvempu University, P.E.S. Institute of Advanced Management Studies | JEE Main, CAT, BITSAT, XAT, WBJEE | ₹ 1.6 K - ₹ 94.63 L | ₹ 1.49 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| M. Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | JNNCE | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 8.3 K - ₹ 12.10 L | ₹ 2.40 L - ₹ 28.00 L |
| Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) | Kuvempu University, Kuvempu University, Tunga Mahavidyalaya | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, CLAT, CUET | ₹ 540 - ₹ 17.02 L | ₹ 1.20 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) | Kuvempu University, Kuvempu University | CAT, XAT, WBJEE, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 11.46 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 18.00 L |
| Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | PES Polytechnic College,Shivamogga | JEE Main, WBJEE, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam, CBSE Class 10 Exam | ₹ 1.8 K - ₹ 7.80 L | ₹ 1.00 L - ₹ 8.00 L |
| Diploma in Civil Engineering | PES Polytechnic College,Shivamogga | JEE Main, WBJEE, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam, CBSE Class 10 Exam | ₹ 1.8 K - ₹ 7.80 L | ₹ 1.00 L - ₹ 8.00 L |
| M.Sc. in Chemistry | Kuvempu University, Kuvempu University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, XAT, BITSAT | ₹ 300 - ₹ 7.06 L | ₹ 1.08 L - ₹ 23.50 L |
| M.Sc. in Physics | Kuvempu University, Kuvempu University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, XAT, BITSAT | ₹ 300 - ₹ 7.06 L | ₹ 2.20 L - ₹ 23.50 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Colleges in Shimoga 2026
Admission to the top colleges in Shimoga is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| GATE | JNNCE, PES Shimoga | - |
| Neet PG | SIMS | - |
| CBSE Class 12 Exam | SIMS, Kuvempu University, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Apr 2026 |
| KCET | SIMS, JNNCE, PES Shimoga | - |
| KMAT Karnataka | JNNCE, PES Shimoga | - |
| COMEDK UGET | JNNCE, PES Shimoga | - |
| NEET | SIMS | - |
| CBSE Class 10 Exam | PES Polytechnic College,Shivamogga | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Mar 2026 |
FAQ About Colleges in Shimoga 2026
Which is the No.1 college in Shimoga?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 college in Shimoga is SIMS , followed by Kuvempu University .
What is the average fee in Shimoga?
The average fees range from ₹ 1.6 K - ₹ 7.44 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 1.17 L - ₹ 3.42 L per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 1.17 L - ₹ 7.44 L per year.
Which private college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, JNNCE and PES Shimoga and PES Polytechnic College,Shivamogga have the strongest placement records.