Best MSc Psychology Colleges in Karnataka 2026: Fees, Admission, Rankings & Placements

Latest Update

2025-12-15 :
CUET PG 2026 registrations are open now. The last date for registration is January 14, 2026. Interested candidates can register online on the official website at nta.nic.in/CUET-PG. The CUET PG 2026 exam is tentatively scheduled to be held in March 2026.

Karnataka has 40+ MSc Psychology colleges, including prestigious institutions like Christ University, NIMHANS, and Manipal Academy (MAHE). The average fees range from ₹15,000 to ₹3.5 Lakhs, and admission is mostly based on entrance exams (CUET, MET, JET) or merit. Graduates can expect starting salaries between ₹3.5 LPA – ₹8 LPA depending on the specialization and college.

Best MSc Psychology Colleges in Karnataka (Quick List):

Christ University (Bangalore): Best choice for Clinical and Counseling Psychology, known for strong industry reputation and structured internships.
NIMHANS (Bangalore): Considered the gold standard in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, with unmatched research exposure.
MAHE, Manipal: Offers advanced clinical training, hospital tie-ups, and state-of-the-art diagnostic labs.
Mount Carmel College: A leading institution for women’s education, known for academic excellence and holistic development.
Kristu Jayanti College: Well-regarded for its rigorous curriculum and consistent placement support.
Bangalore University: Ideal for students seeking a government-backed degree with very low fees and solid academic credibility.

Best MSc Psychology Colleges in Karnataka (2026)

The ranking of these colleges is based on a comprehensive evaluation of academic curriculum, faculty expertise, internship and clinical exposure, and student placement outcomes. Our methodology includes cross-verification of NIRF rankings, India Today rankings, and authentic student reviews, ensuring accurate and reliable insights for 2026 aspirants. The colleges listed below are recognized as the best institutions for pursuing MSc Psychology in Karnataka, offering strong academic foundations and excellent career opportunities.

College Name	Ownership	Total Fees (2 Years)
Christ University, Bangalore	Deemed	₹1.80 L – ₹2.50 L
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)	Private	₹2.10 L – ₹3.20 L
NIMHANS, Bangalore	Government	₹20,000 – ₹45,000
Mount Carmel College, Bangalore	Private (Autonomous)	₹1.20 L – ₹1.90 L
Kristu Jayanti College, Bangalore	Private	₹1.50 L – ₹2.00 L
St. Joseph’s University, Bangalore	Private (State)	₹1.60 L – ₹2.40 L
Jain University, Bangalore	Deemed	₹2.50 L – ₹3.50 L

Top Government MSc Psychology Colleges in Karnataka

Government colleges offering MSc Psychology programs in Karnataka are among the most preferred choices due to their subsidized fee structures, strong academic reputation, and extensive clinical exposure through high patient caseloads, which provide valuable hands-on training. The top government MSc Psychology colleges in Karnataka are listed below.

College Name	Total Fees	Exams Accepted
NIMHANS, Bangalore	₹35,000	NIMHANS Entrance Exam
Bangalore University	₹22,000	Merit-Based / PGCET
Central University of Karnataka (CUK)	₹1.25 L	CUET PG
Mysore University	₹45,000	KEA / Merit
Dharwad University (KUD)	₹30,000	Merit-Based

Top Private MSc Psychology Colleges in Karnataka

Private universities in Karnataka offer a wide range of specializations such as Human Resource Development & Management, Psychology, Neuropsychology, and Health Psychology, along with modern infrastructure, advanced psychology labs, and structured internship support. The top private MSc Psychology colleges in Karnataka are listed below, known for their academic quality and industry-oriented training.

College Name	Total Fees	Exams Accepted
PES University, Bangalore	₹4.20 L	PESSAT / Merit
REVA University, Bangalore	₹2.10 L	REVAET / Merit
MS Ramaiah University (RUAS)	₹1.95 L	Merit / Interview
St. Aloysius College, Mangalore	₹1.10 L	Merit-Based
Surana College, Bangalore	₹2.00 L	Merit / Interview

Fees for MSc Psychology Colleges in Karnataka

Fee structures for MSc Psychology vary widely across institutions, especially between government quota seats and management quota seats. While government colleges offer highly subsidized fees, private universities generally charge higher tuition, which often includes additional costs such as laboratory usage, clinical training, insurance, and student services.

College	Annual Fees	Total Fees	Hostel Fees (Annual)
Christ University	₹1,05,000	₹2,10,000	₹75,000
NIMHANS	₹15,000	₹30,000	₹12,000
Jain University	₹1,65,000	₹3,30,000	₹85,000
Kristu Jayanti	₹95,000	₹1,90,000	₹60,000

MSc Psychology Colleges in Karnataka With Low Fees

For students focused on high Return on Investment (ROI), government-aided colleges and university departments are the best options, as they combine low tuition fees, strong academic credibility, and recognized degrees with solid career prospects.

College Name	Total Fees	Ownership
Bangalore University	₹22,000	Government
Kuvempu University	₹50,000	Government
St. Francis de Sales	₹15,000	Private (Aided)
SDM College, Ujire	₹25,000	Private

Eligibility for MSc Psychology in Karnataka

Education: Must have a Bachelor’s degree (BA/BSc) in Psychology from a recognized university.
Subjects: Psychology must be one of the core subjects in all three years of graduation.
Minimum Marks: Usually 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates).
Entrance Exam: Required for top-tier colleges (NIMHANS, CUET, MET).
Age: No specific age limit for most colleges.

Admission Process for MSc Psychology Colleges in Karnataka

Admission is offered through two primary routes: Merit-based and Entrance-based.

Step 1: Register on the official college website or the KEA portal.
Step 2: Appear for entrance exams like CUET PG, MET, or college-specific tests.
Step 3: For colleges like Christ or MAHE, participate in the Personal Interview (PI) and Micro-Presentation (MP) rounds.
Step 4: Document verification and payment of the first-semester fee to lock the seat.

|Entrance Exams for MSc Psychology in Karnataka

Exam Name	Conducting Body	Accepted By
CUET PG	NTA	Central University of Karnataka
MET	MAHE	Manipal Academy of Higher Education
JET	Jain University	Jain (Deemed-to-be University)
NIMHANS EE	NIMHANS	NIMHANS (Clinical Psychology)

MSc Psychology Colleges in Karnataka Without Entrance Exam

Several well-known colleges offer direct admission to MSc Psychology programs based on your undergraduate marks through a merit-based selection process, without the need for an entrance exam.

College Name	Admission Mode	Total Fees
St. Aloysius College	Merit	₹1.10 L
Alva's College	Merit	₹75,000
Jyoti Nivas College	Merit/Interview	₹1.80 L
NMKRV College	Merit	₹1.40 L

Placements for MSc Psychology Colleges in Karnataka

Bangalore offers strong placement opportunities for Psychology graduates due to the presence of numerous mental health startups, multi-specialty hospitals, and corporate HR and wellness departments, making it one of the best cities for career growth in this field.

College	Average Package	Highest Package	Top Recruiters
Christ University	₹5.5 LPA	₹12 LPA	Deloitte, Apollo, Schools
MAHE	₹6.2 LPA	₹10 LPA	Fortis, Manipal Hospitals
NIMHANS	₹8.0 LPA	₹15 LPA	Research Units, AIIMS
Kristu Jayanti	₹4.5 LPA	₹8.5 LPA	NGOs, IT Firms (HR)

Top Recruiters for MSc Psychology Graduates

Hospitals: Fortis, Apollo, Manipal Hospitals, Narayana Health.
Corporate: Deloitte, Google (UX Research), Amazon, Infosys (HR).
Mental Health Platforms: YourDOST, InnerHour, Amaha Health.
Education: International schools (TISB, Indus), Universities.
Government: Defense Research (DIPR), Prison Services, State Health Depts.

How to Choose the Best MSc Psychology College in Karnataka

RCI Recognition: Essential if you plan to pursue an MPhil or practice as a licensed Clinical Psychologist later.
Specialization Offered: Ensure the college offers your area of interest (e.g., Clinical, Counseling, or Industrial).
Hospital Tie-ups: Check if the college has associations with hospitals for clinical internships.
Alumni Network: A strong network helps in securing high-paying corporate or research roles.

FAQs

1. Which is the best college for MSc Clinical Psychology in Karnataka?
NIMHANS and Christ University are considered the best due to their clinical exposure and expert faculty.

2. Is there an entrance exam for MSc Psychology in Bangalore University?
Admission is usually based on merit for the general pool, but some seats may be filled via PGCET counseling.

3. What is the average fee for MSc Psychology in private colleges?
In Karnataka, it typically ranges between ₹1.5 Lakhs to ₹3 Lakhs for the full course.

4. Can I pursue MSc Psychology after a BA in English?
Most colleges require a Bachelor's degree with Psychology as a major or core subject. However, some private universities like Christ (HRDM) may allow other streams.

5. Are there RCI-approved colleges for MSc in Karnataka?
RCI approval is primarily for MPhil and Diploma courses. For MSc, ensure the college is UGC-recognized.

6. Does NIMHANS offer MSc Psychology?
NIMHANS offers specialized MSc and MPhil programs in Clinical Psychology and Neurosciences.

7. Which colleges offer MSc Psychology with the lowest fees?
Bangalore University and St. Francis de Sales College offer the most affordable programs.

8. Is the salary good after MSc Psychology in Karnataka?
Starting salaries range from ₹3.5–₹6 LPA, but can reach ₹10+ LPA in corporate or private practice.