Looking for the top Engineering colleges in Chennai in 2026? Chennai has over 49+ engineering colleges. Top government institutes include IIT Madras, College of Engineering Guindy, IIITDM Kancheepuram, MIT Chennai, TANUVAS , and leading private universities are Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Vel Tech, Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology, Jeppiaar Institute of Technology, HITS . These colleges offer B.E. / B.Tech, Bachelor of Technology (Lateral) and other engineering programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as JEE Main , GATE , JEE Advanced , VITEEE , HITSEEE .
When selecting the best engineering colleges in Chennai, students should consider factors such as NIRF rankings, placement records, return on investment (ROI), location, faculty, and specializations. This guide highlights the top-ranked engineering colleges in Chennai 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Engineering Colleges in Chennai 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Chennai | 49+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | JEE Main , GATE , JEE Advanced , VITEEE , HITSEEE |
| Ownership | ~79% Private, ~21% Government |
| Top Recruiters | Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, IBM, TCS |
| Average Fees | ₹ 6.9 K - ₹ 23.20 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 2.80 L - ₹ 84.00 L |
Top Engineering Colleges in Chennai by Rankings 2026
The NIRF 2025 is the most trusted ranking for engineering colleges in India, evaluating institutes on teaching, research, graduation outcomes, outreach, and perception. Below are the top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| IIT Madras | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| SRM IST | 14 | 13 | 28 |
| Anna University | 20 | 14 | 13 |
| Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | 67 | 66 | 66 |
| Vel Tech | 87 | 86 | 87 |
| IIITDM Kancheepuram | - | 101 | 101 |
| Sri Sairam Engineering College | 151 | 101 | 151 |
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 engineering colleges in Chennai 2026 as per various agencies.
The Week Rankings (2025)
| College | 2025 |
| SRM IST | 21 |
| College of Engineering Guindy | 12 |
Government vs Private Engineering Colleges in Chennai 2026
Engineering aspirants in Chennai 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 Engineering Colleges in Chennai 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| IIT Madras | ₹ 28.0 K - ₹ 15.61 L | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced | ₹ 7.60 L - ₹ 84.00 L | ₹ 13.00 L - ₹ 23.30 L | ₹ 19.50 L - ₹ 86.90 L |
| College of Engineering Guindy | ₹ 88.5 K - ₹ 5.50 L | GATE | ₹ 4.90 L - ₹ 6.90 L | ₹ 6.90 L | ₹ 10.00 L - ₹ 36.50 L |
| IIITDM Kancheepuram | ₹ 4.72 L - ₹ 11.97 L | JEE Main, GATE | ₹ 4.70 L - ₹ 19.90 L | ₹ 9.60 L - ₹ 14.00 L | ₹ 6.00 L - ₹ 35.40 L |
| MIT Chennai | ₹ 86.6 K - ₹ 4.85 L | - | ₹ 5.30 L - ₹ 6.90 L | ₹ 6.90 L | ₹ 13.00 L - ₹ 40.00 L |
| TANUVAS | ₹ 21.8 K - ₹ 36.3 K | - | - | - | - |
Top Private Engineering Colleges in Chennai 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | - | - | ₹ 5.40 L - ₹ 5.60 L | ₹ 5.60 L | ₹ 41.20 L - ₹ 53.00 L |
| Vel Tech | ₹ 3.15 L - ₹ 18.75 L | - | - | - | - |
| Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology | - | JEE Main | - | - | - |
| Jeppiaar Institute of Technology | ₹ 2.00 L | - | ₹ 3.50 L | ₹ 3.50 L | ₹ 28.00 L |
| HITS | ₹ 1.63 L - ₹ 16.07 L | HITSEEE | - | - | - |
Top Trending Courses in Engineering 2026
Engineering in Chennai offers a wide range of courses to match industry demand and student interest. The most popular fields include B.Tech.in Mechanical Engineering , B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering , B.Tech. in Civil 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 |
| B.Tech.in Mechanical Engineering | IIT Madras, Vel Tech, HITS, VIT Chennai, SRM Ramapuram | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 10.5 K - ₹ 28.77 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 23.91 L |
| B.Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | IIT Madras, Vel Tech, HITS, Sri Jayaram Institute of Engineering and Technology, VIT Chennai | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 28.60 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 52.32 L |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | IIT Madras, Vel Tech, HITS, VIT Chennai, SRM Ramapuram | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 28.60 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 23.91 L |
| B.Tech.in Electronics and Communication Engineering | Vel Tech, HITS, VIT Chennai, SRM Ramapuram, VELS University Chennai | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 6.0 K - ₹ 28.60 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 27.30 L |
| M. Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering | IIT Madras, Vel Tech, HITS, VIT Chennai, Crescent College | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 15.5 K - ₹ 12.10 L | ₹ 2.40 L - ₹ 28.00 L |
| Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | - | JEE Main, WBJEE, JEECUP, GUJCET | ₹ 1.8 K - ₹ 7.80 L | ₹ 1.00 L - ₹ 8.00 L |
| Diploma in Civil Engineering | - | JEE Main, WBJEE, JEECUP, GUJCET | ₹ 1.8 K - ₹ 7.80 L | ₹ 1.00 L - ₹ 8.00 L |
| B.Tech. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering | Vel Tech, HITS, VIT Chennai, SRM Ramapuram, VELS University Chennai | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 10.5 K - ₹ 22.05 L | ₹ 2.28 L - ₹ 17.00 L |
| BTech in Electrical Engineering | IIT Madras | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 34.6 K - ₹ 15.52 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 27.28 L |
| BTech IT | Vel Tech, HITS, GRTIET, SSIET, Alpha College of Engineering | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 34.6 K - ₹ 30.58 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 18.00 L |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Engineering Colleges in Chennai 2026
Admission to the top Engineering colleges in Chennai is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| JEE Main | IIT Madras, IIITs, SRM IST, Anna University, Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology | 21 Jan - 30 Jan 2026 |
| GATE | IIT Madras, IIITs, SRM IST, Anna University, College of Engineering Guindy | - |
| JEE Advanced | IIT Madras, Sai University Chennai | - |
| VITEEE | VIT Chennai | - |
| SRMJEEE | SRM IST, SRM Ramapuram | - |
| VITMEE | VIT Chennai | - |
| HITSEEE | HITS | - |
FAQ About Engineering Colleges in Chennai 2026
Which is the No.1 engineering college in Chennai?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 engineering college in Chennai is IIT Madras , followed by College of Engineering Guindy and IIITDM Kancheepuram .
Which entrance exam is required for engineering ?
For admission to top engineering colleges in Chennai, students primarily need to appear for JEE Main , GATE , JEE Advanced , VITEEE and HITSEEE .
What is the average engineering fee in Chennai?
The average fees range from ₹ 6.9 K - ₹ 23.20 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 28.0 K - ₹ 15.61 L per year, while private colleges may charge - per year.
Which private engineering college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology and Vel Tech and Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology have the strongest placement records.