Looking for the top Engineering colleges in Salem in 2026? Salem has over 6+ engineering colleges. Top government institutes include IIHT , and leading private universities are Ganesh College Of Engineering, Narasu's Sarathy Institute of Technology, Knowledge Institute of Technology, Bharathiyar Institute of Engineering for Women, Sona College of Technology . These colleges offer B.E. / B.Tech, After 10th Diploma and other engineering programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as JEE Main , GATE .
When selecting the best engineering colleges in Salem, 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 Salem 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Engineering Colleges in Salem 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Salem | 6+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | JEE Main , GATE |
| Ownership | ~83% Private, ~17% Government |
| Top Recruiters | Hexaware Technologies, Tech Mahindra, Accenture, American Megtrends, Cisco Systems |
| Average Fees | ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 4.30 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 3.00 L - ₹ 6.80 L |
Top Engineering Colleges in Salem 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 Salem 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| Sona College of Technology | 151 | 151 | 151 |
Government vs Private Engineering Colleges in Salem 2026
Engineering aspirants in Salem 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 Salem 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams |
| IIHT | ₹ 2.00 L | JEE Main |
Top Private Engineering Colleges in Salem 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| Ganesh College Of Engineering | ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 2.00 L | GATE | - | - | - |
| Narasu's Sarathy Institute of Technology | ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 2.00 L | GATE | - | - | - |
| Knowledge Institute of Technology | ₹ 1.00 L - ₹ 2.00 L | GATE | ₹ 3.00 L | ₹ 3.00 L | ₹ 18.50 L |
| Bharathiyar Institute of Engineering for Women | ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 2.00 L | GATE | - | - | - |
| Sona College of Technology | ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 4.30 L | GATE | ₹ 4.00 L - ₹ 6.80 L | ₹ 5.00 L - ₹ 5.40 L | ₹ 7.00 L - ₹ 19.90 L |
Top Trending Courses in Engineering 2026
Engineering in Salem 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 | - | 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 | Bharathiyar Institute of Engineering for Women | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 10.0 K - ₹ 28.60 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 52.32 L |
| B.Tech. in Civil Engineering | Bharathiyar Institute of Engineering for Women | 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 | Bharathiyar Institute of Engineering for Women | 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 | - | 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 | Bharathiyar Institute of Engineering for Women | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 10.5 K - ₹ 22.05 L | ₹ 2.28 L - ₹ 17.00 L |
| BTech in Electrical Engineering | - | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 34.6 K - ₹ 15.52 L | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 27.28 L |
| BTech IT | Ganesh College Of Engineering, Narasu's Sarathy Institute of Technology, Bharathiyar Institute of Engineering for Women | 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 Salem 2026
Admission to the top Engineering colleges in Salem is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| JEE Main | IIHT | 21 Jan - 30 Jan 2026 |
| GATE | Ganesh College Of Engineering, Narasu's Sarathy Institute of Technology, Annapoorana Engineering College | - |
FAQ About Engineering Colleges in Salem 2026
Which is the No.1 engineering college in Salem?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 engineering college in Salem is IIHT .
Which entrance exam is required for engineering ?
For admission to top engineering colleges in Salem, students primarily need to appear for JEE Main and GATE .
What is the average engineering fee in Salem?
The average fees range from ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 4.30 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 2.00 L per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 2.00 L per year.
Which private engineering college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, Ganesh College Of Engineering and Narasu's Sarathy Institute of Technology and Knowledge Institute of Technology have the strongest placement records.