Looking for the top Engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu in 2026? Tamil Nadu has over 119+ engineering colleges. Top government institutes include IIT Madras, NIT Trichy, College of Engineering Guindy, IIITDM Kancheepuram, IIHT , and leading private universities are VIT Vellore, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, SASTRA University, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Kalasalingam University Tamil Nadu . 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 Tamil Nadu, 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 Tamil Nadu 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in Tamil Nadu | 119+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | JEE Main , GATE , JEE Advanced , VITEEE , HITSEEE |
| Ownership | ~81% Private, ~19% Government |
| Top Recruiters | Infosys, Cognizant, Wipro, HCL, IBM |
| Average Fees | ₹ 6.9 K - ₹ 64.08 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 40.0 K - ₹ 84.00 L |
Top Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu 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 Tamil Nadu 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| IIT Madras | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| NIT Trichy | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| SRM IST | 14 | 13 | 28 |
| VIT Vellore | 16 | 11 | 11 |
| Anna University | 20 | 14 | 13 |
| IIITDM Kancheepuram | - | 101 | 101 |
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 Tamil Nadu 2026 as per various agencies.
The Week Rankings (2025)
| College | 2025 |
| NIT Trichy | 9 |
| SRM IST | 21 |
| College of Engineering Guindy | 12 |
Government vs Private Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu 2026
Engineering aspirants in Tamil Nadu 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 Tamil Nadu 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 |
| NIT Trichy | ₹ 1.54 L - ₹ 9.10 L | JEE Main, GATE | - | - | - |
| 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 |
| IIHT | ₹ 2.00 L | JEE Main | - | - | - |
Top Private Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams | Average Placement Package | Median Placement Package | Highest Placement Package |
| VIT Vellore | ₹ 1.03 L - ₹ 12.06 L | VITEEE, VITMEE | ₹ 9.90 L | ₹ 9.90 L | ₹ 88.00 L |
| Karpagam Academy of Higher Education | ₹ 1.85 L | - | - | - | - |
| SASTRA University | ₹ 2.80 L - ₹ 10.76 L | JEE Main, GATE | - | - | - |
| Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | - | - | ₹ 5.40 L - ₹ 5.60 L | ₹ 5.60 L | ₹ 41.20 L - ₹ 53.00 L |
| Kalasalingam University Tamil Nadu | ₹ 2.10 L - ₹ 9.92 L | JEE Main, GATE | ₹ 4.50 L | ₹ 4.50 L | ₹ 50.00 L |
Top Trending Courses in Engineering 2026
Engineering in Tamil Nadu 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, NIT Trichy, VIT Vellore, SASTRA University, Kalasalingam University Tamil Nadu | 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, NIT Trichy, VIT Vellore, SASTRA University, Kalasalingam University Tamil Nadu | 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, NIT Trichy, VIT Vellore, SASTRA University, Kalasalingam University Tamil Nadu | 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 | NIT Trichy, VIT Vellore, SASTRA University, Kalasalingam University Tamil Nadu, Vel Tech | 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, NIT Trichy, VIT Vellore, SASTRA University, Kalasalingam University Tamil Nadu | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced, BITSAT, WBJEE | ₹ 15.5 K - ₹ 12.10 L | ₹ 2.40 L - ₹ 28.00 L |
| Diploma in Mechanical Engineering | Hindustan Institute of Engineering Technology, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Polytechnic College - DSPC, Rohini College of Engineering and Technology, PSG Polytechnic College, Sankara Polytechnic College | JEE Main, WBJEE, JEECUP, GUJCET | ₹ 1.8 K - ₹ 7.80 L | ₹ 1.00 L - ₹ 8.00 L |
| Diploma in Civil Engineering | Hindustan Institute of Engineering Technology, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Polytechnic College - DSPC, Seshasayee Institute of Technology, Sankara Polytechnic College | JEE Main, WBJEE, JEECUP, GUJCET | ₹ 1.8 K - ₹ 7.80 L | ₹ 1.00 L - ₹ 8.00 L |
| B.Tech. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering | NIT Trichy, VIT Vellore, SASTRA University, Kalasalingam University Tamil Nadu, Vel Tech | 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 | VIT Vellore, SASTRA University, Kalasalingam University Tamil Nadu, Vel Tech, HITS | 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 Tamil Nadu 2026
Admission to the top Engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges | Exam Date (2026) |
| JEE Main | IIT Madras, NITs, IIITs, SRM IST, Anna University, SASTRA University | 21 Jan - 30 Jan 2026 |
| GATE | IIT Madras, NITs, IIITs, SRM IST, Anna University, College of Engineering Guindy | - |
| JEE Advanced | IIT Madras, Sai University Chennai | - |
| VITEEE | VIT Vellore, VIT Chennai | - |
| SRMJEEE | SRM IST, SRM Ramapuram, SRM IST Trichy | - |
| VITMEE | VIT Vellore, VIT Chennai | - |
| AEEE | Amrita School of Engineering Coimbatore | - |
| HITSEEE | HITS | - |
State-wise & City-wise Top Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu 2026
Engineering education in Tamil Nadu varies by state and city, with some regions offering better institutions, private universities, and placement opportunities. Use the list below to explore the top Engineering colleges by state and city.
Top Cities for Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu 2026
Top Engineering Colleges in Chennai
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams |
| IIITDM Kancheepuram | Public/Government | JEE Main, GATE |
| IIT Madras | Public/Government | JEE Main, GATE, JEE Advanced |
| College of Engineering Guindy | Public/Government | GATE |
| Anna University | Public/Government | JEE Main, GATE |
| SRM IST | Private | JEE Main, GATE, SRMJEEE |
Top Engineering Colleges in Coimbatore
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams |
| Karpagam Academy of Higher Education | Private | - |
| Karpagam College of Engineering | Private | - |
| Amrita School of Engineering Coimbatore | Private | JEE Main, GATE, AEEE |
| SNS College of Engineering, SNS Group of Institutions | Private | GATE |
| Dr. Mahalingam College of Engineering and Technology | Private | GATE |
Top Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu - Other
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams |
| National Engineering College | Private | GATE |
| Nelliandavar Institute of Technology | Private | - |
| Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Institute of Research and Technology | Private | - |
| Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Polytechnic College - DSPC | Private | - |
| AVC College of Engineering | Private | GATE |
Top Engineering Colleges in Tiruchirappalli
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams |
| MAM CET | Private | GATE |
| M.I.E.T. Engineering College | Private | - |
| BHC | - | |
| NIT Trichy | Public/Government | JEE Main, GATE |
| TEC | Private | - |
Top Engineering Colleges in Salem
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams |
| IIHT | Public/Government | JEE Main |
| Ganesh College Of Engineering | Private | GATE |
| Narasu's Sarathy Institute of Technology | Private | GATE |
| Sri Shanmugha College of Engineering and Technology | Private | - |
| Annapoorana Engineering College | Private | GATE |
FAQ About Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu 2026
Which is the No.1 engineering college in Tamil Nadu?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 engineering college in Tamil Nadu is IIT Madras , followed by NIT Trichy and College of Engineering Guindy .
Which entrance exam is required for engineering ?
For admission to top engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu, students primarily need to appear for JEE Main , GATE , JEE Advanced , VITEEE and HITSEEE .
What is the average engineering fee in Tamil Nadu?
The average fees range from ₹ 6.9 K - ₹ 64.08 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 28.0 K - ₹ 15.61 L per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 1.03 L - ₹ 12.06 L per year.
Which private engineering college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, VIT Vellore and Karpagam Academy of Higher Education and SASTRA University have the strongest placement records.