Best Colleges in Bihar 2026: Fees, Admission, Rankings, Placements & ROI
Bihar offers 250+ highly ranked colleges across various disciplines, including premier national institutes like IIT Patna, AIIMS Patna, and state universities such as Patna University and Patliputra University. The annual fees for these top colleges in Bihar range widely, starting from a low of ₹5,000 for state colleges up to ₹3.5 Lakh for private professional programs. Admission is predominantly entrance-based for technical and medical courses (JEE Main, NEET, CUET) and merit-based for traditional degree programs. Graduates from top-tier colleges can secure average placement packages between ₹4 LPA and ₹12 LPA, with the highest offers exceeding ₹60 LPA.
Best Colleges in Bihar: Quick List
Choosing the best college in Bihar requires weighing national rankings, affordability, and placement records. Here are the top institutions across major streams for 2026:
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IIT Patna: The absolute top institute for Engineering with excellent infrastructure and the highest placement packages.
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AIIMS Patna: The premier Government Medical College offering subsidized fees and mandatory NEET-UG admission.
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NIT Patna: A highly-ranked federal engineering institute offering strong ROI for B.Tech programs via JEE Main.
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Chanakya National Law University (CNLU), Patna: The top Law college in the state, admitting students through the national CLAT exam.
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Central University of South Bihar (CUSB), Gaya: A Central University offering various low-fee UG/PG programs through the national CUET exam.
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Patna Women's College (PWC): A renowned Women's College for Arts, Science, and Commerce, affiliated with Patna University.
Top Colleges in Bihar (2026)
This list of Bihar’s top colleges for 2026 is compiled using a blended evaluation model that includes NIRF rankings, regulatory accreditation, student feedback, academic outcomes, and verified placement performance across major streams.
| College Name | Ownership | Major Streams | Total Fee Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Patna (Indian Institute of Technology) | Government (Central) | Engineering, Management | ₹8 lakh – ₹10 lakh |
| AIIMS Patna (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) | Government (Central) | Medical | ₹7,000 – ₹15,000 |
| NIT Patna (National Institute of Technology) | Government (Central) | Engineering | ₹5 lakh – ₹7.5 lakh |
| Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) | Government (State) | Law | ₹5 lakh – ₹9 lakh |
| Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) | Government (Central) | Arts, Science, Law | ₹25,000 – ₹1.5 lakh |
| Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP) | Government (State) | Management | ₹6 lakh – ₹7.5 lakh |
| Patna Medical College & Hospital (PMCH) | Government (State) | Medical | ₹50,000 – ₹70,000 |
| Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Patna | Private | Engineering, Management | ₹4.27 lakh – ₹13.18 lakh |
Top Government Colleges in Bihar
Government colleges offer the highest Return on Investment (ROI) in Bihar due to subsidized tuition and high placement credibility, particularly in the Engineering and Medical fields.
| College Name | Total Fees | Exams Accepted |
| IIT Patna | ₹8 Lakh (B.Tech) | JEE Advanced |
| AIIMS Patna | ₹7,000 (MBBS) | NEET UG |
| NIT Patna | ₹5 Lakh (B.Tech) | JEE Main |
| Patna Medical College & Hospital (PMCH) | ₹60,000 (MBBS) | NEET UG |
| Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) | ₹50,000 (3-year UG) | CUET UG |
| Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology (MIT) | ₹1.05 Lakh (B.Tech) | JEE Main, UGEAC |
Top Private Colleges in Bihar
Private institutions offer greater diversity in courses and often have modern infrastructure. They rely on high placement packages to attract top talent.
| College Name | Total Fees | Exams Accepted |
| Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Patna | ₹12 Lakh (B.Tech) | JEE Main, Institute Test |
| Amity University, Patna | ₹5 Lakh (B.Tech) | Amity JEE, CUET |
| Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (NSIT), Patna | ₹4 Lakh (B.Tech) | JEE Main, BPTPIA CET |
| Mata Gujri Memorial Medical College, Kishanganj | ₹50 Lakh – ₹1 Crore (MBBS) | NEET UG |
| Gopal Narayan Singh University (GNSU), Sasaram | ₹4 Lakh (B.Tech) | CUET, University Test |
Fees for Top Colleges in Bihar
The college fees in Bihar exhibit a stark difference between Central/State Government institutions and private institutions, with Government college fees being significantly lower.
| College | Stream | Annual Fees | Total Fees | Hostel Fees |
| AIIMS Patna | Medical | ₹1,500 – ₹2,500 | ₹7,000 – ₹15,000 | ₹4,000 – ₹8,000 |
| Patna University Affiliated Colleges | Arts/Science/Comm. | ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 | ₹15,000 – ₹45,000 | N/A (Limited/Low) |
| NIT Patna | Engineering | ₹1.8 Lakh – ₹2.0 Lakh | ₹5.4 Lakh – ₹7.5 Lakh | ₹25,000 – ₹45,000 |
| CIMP Patna | Management (MBA) | ₹3.75 Lakh | ₹7.5 Lakh | ₹60,000 – ₹80,000 |
| BIT Patna | Engineering | ₹3.5 Lakh – ₹4.5 Lakh | ₹12.5 Lakh – ₹18 Lakh | ₹70,000 – ₹1 Lakh |
Colleges in Bihar With Low Fees
The lowest fee colleges in Bihar are overwhelmingly Government-owned institutions, including Central Universities and State Government degree colleges, providing exceptional value.
| College Name | Total Fees | Ownership |
| AIIMS Patna (MBBS) | ₹7,000 – ₹15,000 | Government (Central) |
| CUSB, Gaya (Central University of South Bihar) | ₹25,000 – ₹50,000 | Government (Central) |
| Patna University Affiliated Colleges (BA/B.Sc) | ₹15,000 – ₹45,000 | Government (State) |
| Gaya College of Engineering (B.Tech) | ₹10,530 (1st Year) | Government (State) |
| Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology (MIT) (B.Tech) | ₹1.05 Lakh | Government (State) |
Eligibility for Top Courses in Bihar
General eligibility for admission to top Bihar colleges varies by stream, but a strong performance in 10+2 is the common prerequisite.
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Education: Must have passed the 10+2 (Intermediate) examination from a recognized board.
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Minimum Marks:
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Engineering/Medical/Law: Typically requires a minimum of 45% to 50% aggregate marks in 10+2.
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IIT/NIT: Must be among the top 20 percentiles of the respective board or have 75% aggregate marks (Relaxations apply for SC/ST/PwD).
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Subjects:
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B.Tech: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).
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MBBS/BDS: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB).
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Law (BA LLB): Any stream.
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Age:
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Medical (NEET): Minimum age of 17 years on or before December 31 of the admission year.
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Other Courses: Generally, no upper age limit.
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Entrance Exam Requirement: Mandatory qualification in state or national-level entrance exams (JEE, NEET, CLAT, CUET) for professional courses.
Admission Process for Top Colleges in Bihar
Admission to the top colleges in Bihar is primarily driven by state and national-level entrance examinations, followed by a centralized counselling process.
The admission process is divided into two main tracks: Entrance-based for professional and national colleges, and Merit-based for state university undergraduate programs.
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Step 1: Appear for Entrance Exam: Candidates must qualify the relevant national (JEE, NEET, CLAT, CUET) or state-level (BCECE) entrance examination.
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Step 2: Counselling Registration: Candidates register for the respective counselling bodies:
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JEE/NIT/IIT: JoSAA/CSAB Counselling.
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MBBS/BDS: MCC (All India Quota) or Bihar NEET Counselling (State Quota).
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State B.Tech/Engineering: Bihar UGEAC (for state-level colleges).
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State Universities (BA/B.Sc/B.Com): Typically merit-based application via the respective university portal (Patna University, Patliputra University, etc.).
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Step 3: Choice Filling and Seat Allotment: Based on rank, candidates fill their college and course preferences, and seats are allotted.
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Step 4: Document Verification & Fee Payment: Final admission confirmation involves physical document verification and payment of the course fee at the allotted institution.
Entrance Exams for Top Colleges in Bihar
These are the primary entrance examinations required for admission to the most sought-after Engineering, Medical, and General Degree courses in Bihar.
| Exam Name | Conducting Body | Accepted By / Relevance |
| JEE Main & JEE Advanced | NTA/IITs | IIT Patna, NIT Patna, and all State Government Engineering Colleges (through UGEAC). |
| NEET UG | NTA | AIIMS Patna, PMCH, Darbhanga Medical College, and all Government and Private MBBS/BDS colleges in Bihar. |
| CUET UG & CUET PG | NTA | Central University of South Bihar (CUSB) and other central/state universities for BA, BSc, MA, MSc programs. |
| CLAT | Consortium of NLUs | Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) for BA LLB and LLM programs. |
| BCECE (UGEAC) | BCECE Board | Counselling for most State Government Engineering Colleges based on JEE Main Rank. |
Colleges in Bihar Without Entrance Exam
While top professional courses require entrance exams, admission to many General Degree colleges in Bihar for BA, B.Sc, and B.Com is primarily merit-based.
Admission to most colleges affiliated with State Universities like Patna University, Magadh University, and Patliputra University is typically based on the cut-off merit list derived from the 10+2 marks. These colleges do not require JEE or NEET scores for their general undergraduate programs.
| College Name | Admission Mode | Total Fees (Approx. UG) |
| Patna College, Patna University | Merit-Based (10+2) | ₹15,000 – ₹20,000 |
| Magadh Mahila College, Patna | Merit-Based (10+2) | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Anugrah Narayan College (ANC), Patna | Merit-Based (10+2) | ₹30,000 – ₹40,000 |
| Gaya College, Gaya | Merit-Based (10+2) | ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 |
| Nalanda College, Biharsharif | Merit-Based (10+2) | ₹10,000 – ₹25,000 |
Placements for Top Colleges in Bihar
Placements at top Bihar colleges are highly competitive and offer substantial Return on Investment (ROI), especially at centrally-funded institutions.
| College | Average Package | Highest Package | Top Recruiters |
| IIT Patna | ₹18 LPA – ₹22 LPA | ₹61.30 LPA | Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Samsung R&D |
| NIT Patna | ₹8 LPA – ₹10 LPA | ₹52 LPA | TCS, Infosys, Wipro, L&T, PwC |
| CIMP Patna (MBA) | ₹6 LPA – ₹7.5 LPA | ₹15 LPA | HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, TCS, Dabur |
| BIT Patna | ₹4.5 LPA – ₹6.5 LPA | ₹30 LPA | Capgemini, Tech Mahindra, IBM, Accenture |
| Patna Women's College | ₹3.5 LPA – ₹4.5 LPA | ₹10 LPA | Cognizant, Wipro, Amazon, Genpact |
Top Recruiters for Graduates
Graduates from top colleges in Bihar are sought after by national and multinational companies across various sectors, ranging from IT to Finance and Consulting.
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IT Services & Consulting: TCS, Wipro, Infosys, Capgemini, Accenture, PwC, IBM, Cognizant.
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E-commerce & Tech: Amazon, Flipkart, Google, Samsung R&D, Microsoft (primarily for IIT/NIT graduates).
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Banking & Financial Services: HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, SBI.
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Core Engineering/Manufacturing: Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Tata Steel, Bajaj Auto, Maruti Suzuki.
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FMCG/Retail: Dabur, Asian Paints, Reliance Retail.
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Government/PSU: BSNL, GAIL, Indian Railways (through competitive exams).
How to Choose the Best College in Bihar
To maximize your ROI in Bihar, look beyond the name and analyze these crucial factors:
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Accreditation and Affiliation: Prioritize institutions with high NIRF rankings, NAAC 'A' grade, or those that are centrally funded (IIT, NIT, AIIMS).
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Fees vs. ROI: Calculate the total cost of the course and compare it directly with the median placement package. A lower fee government college often beats a high-fee private college in ROI.
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Faculty Expertise: Investigate the faculty-to-student ratio and the percentage of faculty holding Ph.D. degrees.
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Infrastructure and Labs: Ensure the college has up-to-date libraries, research facilities, and labs relevant to your chosen stream (e.g., engineering workshops or clinical facilities).
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Placement Transparency: Look for publicly available NIRF placement reports which list median salaries and offer more reliable data than highest packages (Internal link opportunity).
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Entrance Exam Alignment: Select a college whose required entrance exam (JEE, NEET, CUET) aligns with your preparation strategy and score.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which is the best college in Bihar overall?
IIT Patna and AIIMS Patna are consistently ranked as the best overall colleges in Bihar for Engineering and Medical streams, respectively, due to their central government funding, research output, and high placements.
Q2. What is the average salary after graduation from top Bihar colleges?
The average placement package for graduates from the top colleges like IIT Patna and NIT Patna is typically between ₹8 LPA and ₹18 LPA. For state university affiliated colleges, the average is closer to ₹3 LPA to ₹4.5 LPA.
Q3. What is the minimum fee for government colleges in Bihar?
The minimum total fee for professional government courses like MBBS at AIIMS Patna is around ₹7,000–₹15,000, while for general undergraduate degrees at state university colleges, it can be as low as ₹15,000 for the entire 3-year duration.
Q4. Which entrance exams are mandatory for admission to Bihar's top colleges?
JEE Main/Advanced for Engineering (IIT/NIT/State Engineering) and NEET UG for Medical (MBBS/BDS) are mandatory. For Central Universities, the CUET exam is required.
Q5. Are there any colleges in Bihar without an entrance exam?
Yes, most Arts, Science, and Commerce (BA/B.Sc/B.Com) undergraduate programs offered by state university-affiliated colleges (like Patna University or Magadh University) admit students based on 10+2 merit and do not require a separate entrance exam.
Q6. Which is better for Engineering: IIT Patna or NIT Patna?
IIT Patna is generally better for Engineering due to its superior NIRF ranking, higher research focus, and better placement packages. However, NIT Patna offers a higher number of seats and a significantly high ROI.
Q7. What are the eligibility criteria for a B.Tech in Bihar?
The primary eligibility for B.Tech in Bihar is passing the 10+2 exam with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM), and having a valid score in the JEE Main examination.
Q8. Which is the top private medical college in Bihar?
Mata Gujri Memorial Medical College, Kishanganj and Katihar Medical College are among the top private medical colleges in Bihar, though their fees are substantially higher than government counterparts.
Showing 207 Colleges
IIT Patna is a Public College, located in Patna, Bihar. IIT Patna offers 4 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate Levels such as BTech, MSc, MTech, PhD in multiple disciplines.
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NIT Patna is a Autonomous/Public College, located in Patna, Bihar. NIT Patna offers 6 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate Levels such as B.Arch, BSc, BTech, MTech, PhD, MURP in multiple disciplines.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University is a Public College, located in Samastipur, Bihar. Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University offers 8 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate Levels such as BFSc, M.F.Sc, BSc Hons, BTech, MBA, MSc, MTech, PhD in multiple disciplines.
Loknayak Jai Prakash Institute of Technology is a Public College, located in Chhapra, Bihar. Loknayak Jai Prakash Institute of Technology offers 1 courses at the Bachelors Levels such as BTech in multiple disciplines.
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Patna is a Public College, located in Patna, Bihar. National Institute of Fashion Technology, Patna offers 3 courses at the Bachelors, Masters Levels such as BDes, MFM, BFTech in multiple disciplines.
Sir J.J College of Architecture is a Private College, located in Gaya, Bihar. Sir J.J College of Architecture offers 2 courses at the Bachelors, Masters Levels such as B.Arch, M.Arch in multiple disciplines.
KS Rangasamy College of Technology
KS Rangasamy College of Technology is a Private College, located in Samastipur, Bihar. KS Rangasamy College of Technology offers 6 courses at the Bachelors, Masters Levels such as Bachelor of Engineering, MCA, ME, BTech, MBA, MTech in multiple disciplines.
DMI - Development Management Institute
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Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav College Patna is a Private College, located in Patna, Bihar. Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav College Patna offers 3 courses at the Bachelors Levels such as BA, BCom, BSc in multiple disciplines.
IIM BodhGaya is a Public College, located in Gaya, Bihar. IIM BodhGaya offers 3 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate Levels such as BBA, MBA, PhD in multiple disciplines.
BIT Patna is a Private College, located in Patna, Bihar. BIT Patna offers 7 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate Levels such as B.Arch, BBA, BCA, BTech, MBA, MTech, PhD in multiple disciplines.
IIBM - Indian Institute of Business Management
IIBM - Indian Institute of Business Management is a Private College, located in Patna, Bihar. IIBM - Indian Institute of Business Management offers 4 courses at the Bachelors, Postgraduate Diploma, Diploma Levels such as BBA, BCA, B.Voc, PGDM, Diploma, Advance Diploma in multiple disciplines.
Ram Krishna Dwarika College, Magadh University
Ram Krishna Dwarika College, Magadh University is a Private College, located in Patna, Bihar. Ram Krishna Dwarika College, Magadh University offers 5 courses at the Bachelors Levels such as BBM, BCA, BA, BCom, BSc in multiple disciplines.
Dr. Bhanuben Mahendra Nanavati College of Home Science is a Private College, located in Samastipur, Bihar. Dr. Bhanuben Mahendra Nanavati College of Home Science offers 4 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Postgraduate Diploma Levels such as BCA, MCA, BSc, PGD in multiple disciplines.
AKU is a Public University, located in Patna, Bihar. AKU offers 7 courses at the Bachelors Levels such as BBA, BCA, BDS, B.Pharmacy, B.Ed, BTech Hons, BMC in multiple disciplines.
Bhagalpur College of Engineering is a Public College, located in Bhagalpur, Bihar. Bhagalpur College of Engineering offers 1 courses at the Bachelors Levels such as BTech in multiple disciplines.
Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology is a Private College, located in Patna, Bihar. Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology offers 1 courses at the Bachelors, Diploma Levels such as BTech, Diploma in multiple disciplines.
SNM Institute of Management and Technology
SNM Institute of Management and Technology is a Private College, located in Madhubani, Bihar. SNM Institute of Management and Technology offers 1 courses at the Bachelors Levels such as BTech in multiple disciplines.
R.P. Sharma Institute of Technology
R.P. Sharma Institute of Technology is a Private College, located in Patna, Bihar. R.P. Sharma Institute of Technology offers 2 courses at the Bachelors, Masters Levels such as BTech, MBA in multiple disciplines.
VIBRM - Vaishali Institute of Business and Rural Management is a Private College, located in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. VIBRM - Vaishali Institute of Business and Rural Management offers 5 courses at the Bachelors, Masters Levels such as BBA, BCA, MCA, MA, MBA in multiple disciplines.
College of Commerce, Arts and Science, Magadh University
College of Commerce, Arts and Science, Magadh University is a Public College, located in Patna, Bihar. College of Commerce, Arts and Science, Magadh University offers 10 courses at the Bachelors, Masters Levels such as BBM, BCA, LLB, B.Lib.I.Sc, BA Hons, BCom, MA, MBA, M.Com, MSc in multiple disciplines.
Darbhanga College Of Engineering is a Private College, located in Darbhanga, Bihar. Darbhanga College Of Engineering offers 1 courses at the Bachelors Levels such as BTech in multiple disciplines.
Government Medical College, Surat is a Public College, located in Bettiah, Bihar. Government Medical College, Surat offers 4 courses at the Bachelors, Doctorate, Masters, Postgraduate Diploma, Diploma Levels such as MBBS, MD, M.S, PGD, Diploma in multiple disciplines.
NMCH Patna is a Public College, located in Patna, Bihar. NMCH Patna offers 3 courses at the Bachelors, Doctorate, Masters, Diploma Levels such as MBBS, MD, M.S, Diploma in multiple disciplines.
IGIMS Patna is a Public College, located in Patna, Bihar. IGIMS Patna offers 4 courses at the Bachelors, Doctorate, Masters, Diploma Levels such as MBBS, BSc, MD, Master of Chirurgiae [M.Ch], Diploma in multiple disciplines.
Magadh Mahila College is a Private College, located in Patna, Bihar. Magadh Mahila College offers 8 courses at the Bachelors, Masters, Postgraduate Diploma Levels such as BBA, BSW, BA Hons, BCom, BSc Hons, MA, MSc, PGD in multiple disciplines.
