Looking for the top colleges in Thiruvananthapuram in 2026? Thiruvananthapuram has over 17+ colleges. Top government institutes include IIST Trivandrum, CET Trivandrum, IBSITW, Kerala University , and leading private universities are LMCST, CDIT Kerala, John Cox Memorial CSI Institute of Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, ACETVM, NIBM . 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 , JEE Advanced , CBSE Class 12 Exam .
When selecting the best colleges in Thiruvananthapuram, 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 Thiruvananthapuram 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Colleges in Thiruvananthapuram 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Thiruvananthapuram | 17+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | JEE Main , GATE , CAT , JEE Advanced , CBSE Class 12 Exam |
| Ownership | ~73% Private, ~27% Government |
| Top Recruiters | TCS, IBM, Infosys, UST Global, Wipro |
| Average Fees | ₹ 1.1 K - ₹ 55.49 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 4.50 L - ₹ 5.10 L |
Top Colleges in Thiruvananthapuram 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 Thiruvananthapuram 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| SCTIMST Trivandrum | 17 | 13 | 10 |
| IIST Trivandrum | 61 | 51 | 48 |
| CET Trivandrum | 101 | 101 | 151 |
Government vs Private Colleges in Thiruvananthapuram 2026
aspirants in Thiruvananthapuram 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 Thiruvananthapuram 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| IIST Trivandrum | ₹ 2.53 L - ₹ 10.21 L | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced | - | - | - |
| CET Trivandrum | ₹ 15.5 K - ₹ 1.90 L | JEE Main, GATE | - | - | - |
| IBSITW | ₹ 45.6 K - ₹ 2.60 L | GATE | - | - | - |
| Kerala University | ₹ 1.1 K - ₹ 55.49 L | - | ₹ 5.10 L | ₹ 5.10 L | ₹ 16.20 L |
Top Private Colleges in Thiruvananthapuram 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams |
| LMCST | ₹ 75.0 K - ₹ 4.02 L | CAT, CMAT |
| CDIT Kerala | ₹ 22.0 K - ₹ 1.00 L | - |
| John Cox Memorial CSI Institute of Technology, Thiruvananthapuram | ₹ 2.00 L | - |
| ACETVM | ₹ 2.00 L | - |
| NIBM | ₹ 23.0 K - ₹ 30.0 K | - |
Top Trending Courses in 2026
in Thiruvananthapuram 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) | CET Trivandrum, LMCST, Kerala University, Kerala University, SDE | XAT, NMAT, GMAT, AP ICET, MHT CET | ₹ 1.7 K - ₹ 71.47 L | ₹ 1.78 L - ₹ 35.22 L |
| B.Tech.in Mechanical Engineering | CET Trivandrum, LMCST, Kerala University, Kerala University, ACETVM | 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 | CET Trivandrum, IBSITW, LMCST, Kerala University, Kerala University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 31.48 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 52.32 L |
| Master of Computer Applications (MCA) | CET Trivandrum, LMCST, Kerala University, Kerala University | GATE, CAT, XAT, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 480 - ₹ 13.43 L | ₹ 1.80 L - ₹ 17.68 L |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | CET Trivandrum, IBSITW, LMCST, Kerala University, Kerala University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 28.60 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 23.91 L |
| Bachelor of Business Administration(BBA) | Kerala University, Kerala University, SDE | 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 | CET Trivandrum, IBSITW, LMCST, Kerala University, Kerala University | 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 | CET Trivandrum, IBSITW, Kerala University, Kerala University | JEE Main, GATE, CAT, BITSAT, JEE Advanced | ₹ 8.3 K - ₹ 12.10 L | ₹ 2.40 L - ₹ 28.00 L |
| Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) | Kerala University, Kerala University | JEE Main, CAT, XAT, CLAT, CUET | ₹ 540 - ₹ 17.02 L | ₹ 1.20 L - ₹ 37.00 L |
| Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) | Kerala University, Kerala University, SDE | CAT, XAT, WBJEE, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam | ₹ 2.0 K - ₹ 11.46 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 18.00 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Colleges in Thiruvananthapuram 2026
Admission to the top colleges in Thiruvananthapuram is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| JEE Main | IIST Trivandrum, CET Trivandrum | 21 Jan - 30 Jan 2026 |
| GATE | IIST Trivandrum, CET Trivandrum, IBSITW | - |
| CAT | CET Trivandrum, LMCST, DUK | 30 Nov 2025 |
| JEE Advanced | IIST Trivandrum | - |
| XAT | DUK | 4 Jan 2026 |
| NMAT | DUK | - |
| CBSE Class 12 Exam | SCTIMST Trivandrum, IIST Trivandrum, CSI Institute of Legal Studies, Parassala | 17 Feb 2026 - 9 Apr 2026 |
| CMAT | CET Trivandrum, LMCST, DUK | 25 Jan 2026 |
| AIMA MAT | Kerala University, Allama Iqbal Institute of Management | - |
| KMAT Karnataka | CET Trivandrum, DUK | - |
| UGC NET | DUK | - |
| KMAT Kerala | LMCST | - |
| NATA | CET Trivandrum | - |
FAQ About Colleges in Thiruvananthapuram 2026
Which is the No.1 college in Thiruvananthapuram?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 college in Thiruvananthapuram is IIST Trivandrum , followed by CET Trivandrum and IBSITW .
What is the average fee in Thiruvananthapuram?
The average fees range from ₹ 1.1 K - ₹ 55.49 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 2.53 L - ₹ 10.21 L per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 75.0 K - ₹ 4.02 L per year.
Which private college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, LMCST and CDIT Kerala and John Cox Memorial CSI Institute of Technology, Thiruvananthapuram have the strongest placement records.