What are Tier 1 engineering colleges in India?

Tier 1 engineering colleges are prestigious institutions known for academic excellence, research, and placements. These include IITs, top NITs, BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad, and IISc Bangalore, offering strong industry connections, top-tier faculty, and cutting-edge infrastructure.

What are Tier 2 engineering colleges in India?

Tier 2 colleges offer quality education but with lesser research output and industry exposure than Tier 1. These include newer NITs, state government colleges (COEP, DTU, Jadavpur University), and private universities like VIT, SRM, and Manipal Institute of Technology, providing good placements and infrastructure.

What factors determine whether a college is Tier 1 or Tier 2?

Factors include accreditation (NIRF, NAAC), faculty qualifications, research output, placements, infrastructure, alumni network, and industry collaborations. Tier 1 colleges excel in these aspects, while Tier 2 institutions offer competitive education but may lack global recognition and extensive research opportunities.

Which are the top Tier 1 engineering colleges in India?

Top Tier 1 colleges include IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, NIT Trichy, NIT Surathkal, and institutions like BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad, and IISc Bangalore. These colleges have strong industry ties, excellent faculty, and outstanding placement records.

Which are the well-known Tier 2 engineering colleges in India?

Well-known Tier 2 colleges include state institutions like COEP, Jadavpur University, DTU, and Anna University, alongside private universities like VIT, SRM, Manipal Institute of Technology, and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. These colleges offer good education and placements but lack Tier 1 research output and global ranking.

Are Tier 2 colleges worth joining?

Yes, Tier 2 colleges provide quality education, decent placements, and industry exposure. Students can build strong careers with skill development, internships, and certifications. While Tier 1 colleges have an edge, success depends on an individual’s effort, networking, and ability to seize opportunities.

Can a student from a Tier 2 college compete with Tier 1 graduates?

Yes, with skill enhancement, internships, and networking, Tier 2 students can compete with Tier 1 graduates. Strong technical knowledge, research projects, and certifications help bridge the gap. Many successful engineers from Tier 2 colleges excel in the industry by focusing on continuous learning and career development.

How can I get admission into a Tier 1 or Tier 2 engineering college?

Tier 1 colleges require JEE Advanced (IITs) or JEE Main (NITs, IIITs). BITS Pilani conducts BITSAT. Tier 2 colleges accept JEE Main, state-level exams (MHT-CET, WBJEE, TNEA), or university-specific exams like VITEEE and SRMJEEE. Strong exam preparation improves admission chances.

List of Tier 1 and Tier 2 Engineering Colleges in India 2025

The top tier 1 and tier 2 engineering colleges in India 2025 include the top IITs and NITs and BITS Pilani, KIIT Bhubaneswar and Shiv Nadar University, respectively.

Table of Contents

List of Top Tier 1 Engineering Colleges in India
List of Top Tier 2 Engineering Colleges in India
Key Differences Between Tier 1 and Tier 2 Engineering Colleges
How to Choose Between Tier 1 and Tier 2 Engineering Colleges?

Looking to study in tier 1 and tier 2 engineering colleges in India? Top IITs like IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, NITs, including NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, IISc Bangalore, VIT Vellore and MNIT Jaipur, MIT Manipal and more are included within the list.

These colleges are known for their quality of education and advanced research and career opportunities. India is home to numerous top engineering colleges that are categorized into different tiers based on various factors, such as academic excellence, faculty, infrastructure, placement records, and industry collaborations.

The classification of Tier 1 and Tier 2 engineering colleges helps students understand the standing of institutions and make informed decisions for their careers. Thus, candidates seeking to begin their engineering career must have a look at the top tier 1 and tier 2 engineering colleges in India 2025.

List of Top Tier 1 Engineering Colleges in India

Tier 1 engineering colleges are the most prestigious institutions known for their exceptional academic standards, research contributions, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and strong placement records. These institutions typically have strong industry linkages and attract top recruiters. Some of the notable tier 1 engineering colleges in India are:

Top IITs Under the List of Tier 1 Engineering Colleges in India

There are around 23 IITs in the top tier 1 engineering colleges in India that offer courses in specialisation such as Computer Science Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, etc. Listed below are the top IITs under the list of Tier 1 engineering colleges in India.

NIRF Rank 2024	Name of the College	NIRF Score
1	IIT Madras	89.79
2	IIT Delhi	87.09
3	IIT Bombay	80.74
4	IIT Kanpur	80.65
5	IIT Roorkee	75.64
6	IIT Kharagpur	73.76
7	IIT Guwahati	70.32
8	IIT Hyderabad	70.28

Top NITs Under the List of Tier 1 Engineering Colleges in India

In India, there are around 31 NITs that are under the list of tier 1 engineering colleges. Listed below are the top NITs in India, along with their NIRF Rank and Score 2024:

NIRF Score 2024	Name of the College	NIRF Score
9	NIT Trichy	69.71
12	NIT Surathkal	65.26
16	NIT Rourkela	62.79
20	NIT Warangal	63.02
25	NIT Calicut	61.19

Other Tier 1 Engineering Colleges in India

The top tier 1 engineering colleges are renowned for their rigorous admission processes, high-quality education, and extensive research opportunities. Admission to IITs is primarily through the Joint Entrance Examination Advanced (JEE Advanced), while NITs accept JEE Main scores.

Listed below are the best private and government tier 1 engineering colleges in India:

NIRF Rank 2024	Name of the College	NIRF Score
29	BITS Pilani (Birla Institute of Technology and Science)	59.52
11	Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore	66.59
27	Delhi Technological University (DTU), Delhi	60.78
12	Jadavpur University, Kolkata	65.62
14	Anna University, Chennai	65.34
-	Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore	-
-	Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Hyderabad	-

Also Read: Tier 1 Engineering Colleges in India 2025

List of Top Tier 2 Engineering Colleges in India

Tier 2 engineering colleges are well-regarded institutions that offer quality education, decent infrastructure, and good placement opportunities. While they may not match the academic and research excellence of tier 1 engineering colleges, they still provide students with valuable career opportunities. Some of the notable tier 2 engineering colleges in India are:

Tier 2 Engineering Colleges in India - Top NITs

The NITs included within tier 2 engineering colleges in India include the following:

NIRF Rank 2024	Name of the College	NIRF Score
43	NIT Jaipur (Malaviya National Institute of Technology)	56.35
-	NIT Allahabad	-
42	NIT Bhopal	78.86
44	NIT Durgapur	56.26
81	NIT Kurukshetra	46.79

State Universities and Private Engineering Colleges

The state and the private tier 2 engineering colleges include MIT, KIIT, SRM Institute of Technology and many more. Given below is the list of state and private tier 2 engineering colleges in India:

NIRF Rank 2024	Name of the College	NIRF Score
	SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
56	Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal	52.12
67	PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore	49.92
	Amrita School of Engineering, Coimbatore
	Shiv Nadar University, Uttar Pradesh
37	KIIT (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology), Bhubaneswar	58.00
	Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Pune

List of Tier 2 State- Government Engineering Colleges

Listed below are the government colleges under the top tier 2 engineering colleges in India:

These colleges have competent faculty, modern laboratories, and decent placement records. While the competition to get into tier 1 and tier 2 engineering colleges is high, tier 2 engineering colleges offer good alternatives for students who do not secure admission to IITs or NITs.

Key Differences Between Tier 1 and Tier 2 Engineering Colleges

Aspect	Tier 1 Engineering Colleges	Tier 2 Engineering Colleges
Reputation	Highest in the country and globally recognized	Recognized nationally but less globally renowned
Admission Process	Highly competitive (JEE Advanced, JEE Main, GATE, etc.)	Competitive but relatively easier than Tier 1
Faculty	Highly experienced professors, often PhDs from top universities	Qualified faculty but fewer research-based professors
Infrastructure	State-of-the-art facilities, advanced labs, and research centers	Good infrastructure but not as advanced as tier 1
Placements	Top companies offer high packages, global opportunities	Good companies visit, but average salary packages are lower
Industry Collaboration	Strong collaborations with industries, global universities	Limited collaborations compared to tier 1

Also Read: Top Private Engineering Colleges in India Without Entrance Exam

How to Choose Between Tier 1 and Tier 2 Engineering Colleges?

While selecting between Tier 1 and Tier 2 engineering colleges in India, students should consider the following factors:

Academic Interests: If research and innovation are your focus, Tier 1 engineering colleges are preferable.
Placement Opportunities: If securing a high-paying job is your priority, Tier 1 institutions provide better prospects.
Location and Accessibility: Consider the college’s location and ease of access for practical training and internships.
Financial Constraints: Some tier 1 and tier 2 engineering colleges have high tuition fees. Consider scholarships and financial aid options.
Alumni Network: Strong alumni connections help in career growth and networking.

India has a vast array of tier 1 and tier 2 engineering colleges. Tier 1 engineering colleges such as IITs, NITs, and top private universities provide world-class education and excellent placement records. Tier 2 engineering colleges also offer quality education and decent career prospects, making them a viable choice for students who may not secure guaranteed high salary prospects.