Karnataka remains one of the best destinations in India for pursuing B.Tech in 2026, thanks to its strong mix of top-ranked government institutions and high-performing private colleges. With over 300 engineering colleges and Bangalore at its core—the Silicon Valley of India—the state offers unmatched exposure to IT, AI, biotech, startups, and global tech firms. NIRF-ranked institutes like NITK Surathkal, along with leading private universities such as MIT Manipal, MSRIT, RVCE, PES University, and IIIT Bangalore, deliver excellent academics, research, and placements. Admissions are primarily through JEE Main/Advanced, KCET, and COMEDK, with fees ranging from affordable government college rates to premium private options, supported by scholarships and quota-based concessions.
Placements and career prospects in Karnataka are among the strongest nationwide, with 85–95% placement rates at top colleges and average packages ranging from ₹7 to ₹20 LPA, especially in high-demand branches like CSE, AI/ML, and Data Science. Backed by massive government investment, a thriving startup ecosystem, and close industry–academia collaboration, Karnataka offers students long-term advantages in employability, global opportunities, and innovation-driven careers. For value and ROI, NITK Surathkal leads the state, while MIT Manipal and MSRIT stand out among private institutions, making Karnataka a future-proof choice for engineering aspirants.
Karnataka boasts over 300 B.Tech colleges, with Bangalore as the “Silicon Valley of India” offering unmatched industry ties to companies like Infosys, Wipro, and Google. In 2026, the state’s engineering sector projects 15% job growth, with 78% employability for top graduates (India Skills Report 2025).
Metric
Insight (2026)
Total B.Tech Seats
2.5 Lakh+
Top Entrance Exams
JEE Main, KCET, COMEDK UGET, JEE Advanced
Avg. Starting Salary
₹7–20 LPA
Global Recognition
NIRF, QS Asia, THE Rankings
Pro Tip: Prioritize NIRF-ranked colleges for better ROI — they offer 20–30% higher placements.
Based on NIRF 2025 rankings, here’s a curated list of the best B.Tech colleges. Rankings emphasize teaching, research, placements, and innovation.
NIRF Rank
College Name
Location
Type
NIRF Score
Key Specializations
12
National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK)
Surathkal (Mangalore)
Government
66.49
CSE, ECE, Mechanical, Civil
36
Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT)
Manipal
Private
58.89
CSE, AI/ML, Biotech, Aeronautical
78
M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT)
Bangalore
Private
50.12
CSE, IT, Electronics, Information Science
96
R.V. College of Engineering (RVCE)
Bangalore
Private
48.76
CSE, AI, Mechanical, Civil
101-150
PES University
Bangalore
Private
45.23
CSE, ECE, Mechanical, Data Science
101-150
International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIITB)
Bangalore
Public-Private
44.89
CSE, ECE, Data Science
101-150
BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE)
Bangalore
Private
44.12
CSE, Civil, Mechanical, Biotech
151-200
Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering (DSCE)
Bangalore
Private
42.67
CSE, AI/ML, Aerospace
151-200
REVA University
Bangalore
Private
41.98
CSE, ECE, Robotics
201-250
Jain University, Faculty of Engineering & Technology
Bangalore
Private
40.45
CSE, AI, Cyber Security
Insights: NITK leads with 95% placement and ₹18 LPA avg. package. Private colleges like MIT and MSRIT excel in industry collaborations.
Top Government BTech Colleges in Karnataka
Talking of Government BTech Colleges in Karnataka, NITK Surathkal and IIT Dharwad are the premier national-level government options in Karnataka, with admissions via JEE Main/Advanced. State government colleges (like UVCE, AIT, UBDTCE) are highly affordable for Karnataka domicile students via KCET and offer solid ROI with good local placements. Below is the list of top Government BTech Colleges in Karnataka:
College Name
Total Fees (INR)
Application Deadline (2026 Cycle)
Entrance Exam Website Link
Average Placement Salary (LPA)
NIRF Ranking (2025)
National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal
In private colleges in Karanataka, admissions primarily via COMEDK UGET (for most private seats), KCET (for Karnataka domicile/govt quota in aided colleges), or institute-specific exams (e.g., MET for MIT Manipal). Below is the detailed table:
College Name
Total Fees (INR)
Application Deadline (2026 Cycle)
Entrance Exam Website Link
Average Placement Salary (LPA)
NIRF Ranking (2025)
R.V. College of Engineering (RVCE), Bangalore
₹3-14 Lakhs (COMEDK ~₹13L; KCET lower; Mgmt up to ₹40L+)
Eligibility: 10+2 with PCM (45–50% aggregate). Reservations apply for SC/ST/OBC.
Timeline (2025): KCET: May Exam, June Counselling; COMEDK: May Exam, June Results.
Fees Structure: Affordable to Premium
Category
Avg. Annual Fees (INR)
Examples
Government Colleges
50,000–1 Lakh
NITK (₹1.25 Lakh total for 4 years)
Private Colleges (KCET/COMEDK)
1–3 Lakh
RVCE (₹2.5 Lakh/year), MSRIT (₹2 Lakh/year)
Private (Management Quota)
3–10 Lakh
PES (₹4 Lakh/year), MIT (₹3.5 Lakh/year)
Elite (IIIT/IISc)
2–5 Lakh
IIITB (₹3.5 Lakh/year)
Scholarships: Available via KCET (up to 100% fee waiver), SC/ST schemes, and merit-based (e.g., ₹50,000 at NITK).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wmnp-aKa_c
Placements & Career Outcomes (2025 Data)
Karnataka’s tech ecosystem ensures 90%+ placement rates at top colleges, with recruiters like Amazon, Microsoft, and Accenture.
College
Placement Rate
Avg. Package (LPA)
Highest Package (LPA)
Top Recruiters
NITK Surathkal
95%
18.5
52
Google, Goldman Sachs
MIT Manipal
92%
12.5
45
Deloitte, IBM
MSRIT
88%
10.2
38
Infosys, Capgemini
RVCE
85%
9.8
35
Wipro, Bosch
PES University
82%
9.5
32
Accenture, TCS
IIITB
90%
20.1
65
Flipkart, Adobe
BMSCE
80%
8.5
30
L&T, Honeywell
DSCE
78%
7.8
28
Cognizant, HCL
Hot Branches: CSE/AI (₹15–25 LPA avg.); Emerging: Data Science, Cybersecurity.
Challenges & Tips for Aspiring Students
Challenge
Solution
High Cutoffs
Prep early for JEE/KCET; Aim for 90%+ in 12th PCM
Competition (1:10 Seats)
Target COMEDK for private colleges; Build projects/portfolio
High Fees
Opt for KCET quota; Apply for education loans/scholarships
Hostel/Relocation
Choose Bangalore/Mangalore for better infra; Budget ₹1–2 Lakh/year living costs
Actionable Advice: Start with mock tests; Intern from 2nd year for edge in placements.
Future Scope: Why Karnataka in 2025–2030?
Karnataka’s ₹2 Lakh Cr. tech investments (Budget 2025) fuel growth in semiconductors, EVs, and biotech. Graduates here are 2x more likely to land global roles (NASSCOM 2025).
Emerging Trends:
AI & ML Hubs: IIITB, PES lead with 50% curriculum focus.
Startup Ecosystem: Bangalore’s 15,000+ startups hire 40% freshers.
Sustainability: NITK’s green engineering programs.
How to Choose the Right College
Rankings First: NIRF for overall; IIRF for branch-specific.
Location: Bangalore for jobs; Surathkal for affordability.
Branch Alignment: CSE at IIITB; Core Engg at NITK.
Visit/Connect: Attend open houses; Alumni on LinkedIn.
Final Verdict: NITK Surathkal is #1 for value — top NIRF, low fees, stellar placements. For private excellence, go MIT or MSRIT.
FAQs
Which is the No.1 B.Tech college in Karnataka as per NIRF 2025?
According to NIRF 2025 rankings, National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal is the top B.Tech college in Karnataka, ranked 12th nationally, with a 95% placement rate and an average package of ₹18.5 LPA.
What are the best private engineering colleges in Karnataka for 2025?
The top private B.Tech colleges in Karnataka (2025) are Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology (MSRIT), R.V. College of Engineering (RVCE), PES University, and BMS College of Engineering (BMSCE) — known for strong placements and modern infrastructure.
What are the main entrance exams for B.Tech admission in Karnataka?
The key B.Tech entrance exams in Karnataka are JEE Main, KCET, COMEDK UGET, JEE Advanced, and Uni-GAUGE.
KCET is for government quota seats.
COMEDK UGET caters to private colleges.
JEE Main/Advanced opens entry to NITK and IITs.
What is the average fee structure for B.Tech colleges in Karnataka?
B.Tech fees in Karnataka vary by college type:
Government colleges: ₹50,000–₹1 Lakh/year (e.g., NITK)
Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms. He was instrumental in building Collegedunia from the ground up, shaping its product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection, content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.
