Looking for the top Design colleges in Maharashtra in 2026? Maharashtra has over 35+ design colleges. Top government institutes include NIFT Mumbai, PVP SNDT , and leading private universities are Symbiosis International Pune, Symbiosis Institute of Design, International Institute of Fashion Design, Amity University Mumbai, INSD Andheri . These colleges offer B.Des, Certificate and other design programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as NIFT , CEED , NID DAT , UCEED , MITID DAT .
When selecting the best design colleges in Maharashtra, students should consider factors such as NIRF rankings, placement records, return on investment (ROI), location, faculty, and specializations. This guide highlights the top-ranked design colleges in Maharashtra 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Design Colleges in Maharashtra 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Maharashtra | 35+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | NIFT , CEED , NID DAT , UCEED , MITID DAT |
| Ownership | ~93% Private, ~7% Government |
| Top Recruiters | Shoppers Stop, Raymonds, Tommy Hilfiger, IBM, Deloitte |
| Average Fees | ₹ 5.0 K - ₹ 42.40 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 3.00 L - ₹ 8.00 L |
Government vs Private Design Colleges in Maharashtra 2026
Design aspirants in Maharashtra 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 Design Colleges in Maharashtra 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams |
| NIFT Mumbai | ₹ 1.64 L - ₹ 15.88 L | NIFT |
| PVP SNDT | ₹ 18.2 K | - |
Top Private Design Colleges in Maharashtra 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) |
| Symbiosis International Pune | ₹ 7.70 L - ₹ 28.28 L |
| Symbiosis Institute of Design | ₹ 7.70 L - ₹ 19.40 L |
| International Institute of Fashion Design | - |
| Amity University Mumbai | ₹ 1.89 L - ₹ 11.68 L |
| INSD Andheri | ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 1.64 L |
Top Trending Courses in Design 2026
Design in Maharashtra offers a wide range of courses to match industry demand and student interest. The most popular fields include Diploma in Fashion Design , Diploma in Interior Design , B.Des. in Fashion Design . 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 |
| Diploma in Fashion Design | International Institute of Fashion Design, INSD Andheri, NIF Borivali, NIF Global Bandra, INIFD | - | ₹ 18.6 K - ₹ 5.39 L | ₹ 4.00 L |
| Diploma in Interior Design | International Institute of Fashion Design, INSD Andheri, NIF Borivali, Samskara Acadmy, NIF Global Bandra | - | ₹ 54.0 K - ₹ 5.39 L | ₹ 3.00 L |
| B.Des. in Fashion Design | Symbiosis International Pune, Symbiosis Institute of Design, Amity University Mumbai, INSD Andheri, MIT Institute of Design | NIFT, NID DAT, UCEED, CEED, AIEED | ₹ 1.48 L - ₹ 28.28 L | ₹ 3.80 L - ₹ 8.50 L |
| B.Sc. in interior Design | International Institute of Fashion Design, INSD Andheri, INIFD, CGA, SIVAS | NIFT, NID DAT, UCEED, AIEED | ₹ 1.43 L - ₹ 9.90 L | ₹ 3.50 L |
| B.Des. in Interior Design | INSD Andheri, NIF Borivali, Dilkap School of Design, CGA, NIF Global Bandra | NIFT, NID DAT, UCEED, CEED, AIEED | ₹ 1.48 L - ₹ 20.72 L | ₹ 3.80 L - ₹ 7.00 L |
| Advance Diploma in Interior Design | International Institute of Fashion Design, NIF Borivali, Dilkap School of Design, NIF Global Bandra, INIFD | WUD Aptitude Test | ₹ 1.70 L - ₹ 6.60 L | ₹ 4.00 L |
| Certificate in Interior Design | INSD Andheri, NIF Borivali, Dilkap School of Design, Raffles Design International Mumbai, NIF Koregaon Park Pune | NIFT | ₹ 39.9 K - ₹ 4.86 L | ₹ 3.00 L |
| B.Des. in Fashion Communication | Symbiosis International Pune, Symbiosis Institute of Design, Amity University Mumbai, MIT Institute of Design | NIFT, NID DAT, UCEED, CEED, AIEED | ₹ 1.53 L - ₹ 28.28 L | ₹ 4.30 L - ₹ 8.00 L |
| Certificate in Fashion Design | INSD Andheri, NIF Borivali, Dilkap School of Design, Raffles Design International Mumbai, INSD | NIFT | ₹ 50.9 K - ₹ 4.00 L | ₹ 3.00 L |
| B.Sc. in Fashion Design | International Institute of Fashion Design, INSD Andheri, INIFD, CGA | NIFT, NID DAT, UCEED, AIEED | ₹ 1.43 L - ₹ 9.90 L | ₹ 8.50 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Design Colleges in Maharashtra 2026
Admission to the top Design colleges in Maharashtra is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| NIFT | NIFT Mumbai, DPU-SOD, ITM Institute of Design and Media | 9 Feb 2026 |
| UCEED | DPU-SOD, ITM Institute of Design and Media, NMIMS School of Design | 18 Jan 2026 |
| NID DAT | DPU-SOD, ITM Institute of Design and Media, BITS Design School | - |
| CEED | MIT Institute of Design | 18 Jan 2026 |
| MITID DAT | MIT Institute of Design | - |
State-wise & City-wise Top Design Colleges in Maharashtra 2026
Design education in Maharashtra varies by state and city, with some regions offering better institutions, private universities, and placement opportunities. Use the list below to explore the top Design colleges by state and city.
Top Cities for Design Colleges in Maharashtra 2026
Top Design Colleges in Mumbai
| College | Ownership |
| International Institute of Fashion Design | Private |
| INSD | Private |
| Bombay College of Pharmacy | Public/Government |
| KMKCP | Private |
| NIF Global Andheri | Private |
Top Design Colleges in Pune
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams |
| P. E. Society`s Modern College of Pharmacy | Other | - |
| Poona College of Pharmacy | Private | - |
| Symbiosis International Pune | Private | - |
| Symbiosis Institute of Design | Private | - |
| MIT Institute of Design | Private | CEED, MITID DAT |
Top Design Colleges in Nagpur
| College | Ownership |
| IIDT | Private |
| Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy | |
| Cadence Academy | Private |
| INIFD | Private |
| JD Institute of Fashion Technology Nagpur | Private |
Top Design Colleges in Navi Mumbai
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams |
| NIFT Mumbai | Public/Government | NIFT |
| OCP,Sanpada | Private | - |
| IIDT Navi Mumbai | Private | - |
Top Design Colleges in Aurangabad
| College | Ownership |
| YBCCP | Private |
| Times and Trends Academy | Private |
FAQ About Design Colleges in Maharashtra 2026
Which is the No.1 design college in Maharashtra?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 design college in Maharashtra is NIFT Mumbai , followed by PVP SNDT .
Which entrance exam is required for design ?
For admission to top design colleges in Maharashtra, students primarily need to appear for NIFT , CEED , NID DAT , UCEED and MITID DAT .
What is the average design fee in Maharashtra?
The average fees range from ₹ 5.0 K - ₹ 42.40 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 1.64 L - ₹ 15.88 L per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 7.70 L - ₹ 28.28 L per year.
Which private design college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, Symbiosis International Pune and Symbiosis Institute of Design and International Institute of Fashion Design have the strongest placement records.