Pursuing a design degree in India is a creative and rewarding journey that blends innovation, aesthetics, and problem-solving. With the growing demand for design professionals across industries such as fashion, product development, animation, communication, and UX/UI design, top design colleges in India offer globally recognized programs that combine theory, creativity, and practical experience.
India is home to some of the best design institutes such as National Institute of Design (NID), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), and MIT Institute of Design (MIT-ID), which produce highly skilled designers every year. These institutes are renowned for their multidisciplinary curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities, and strong industry collaborations.
This blog explores the top design colleges in India, covering courses offered, fees, entrance exams, placements, ROI, and much more.
For students seeking quality education at an affordable cost, several government and private design institutes in India offer low-fee programs without compromising on placement opportunities.
College Name
Location
Total Fees (INR)
Average Package (INR)
Top Recruiters
NID (All Campuses)
Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Gandhinagar
₹2–3 lakh/year
₹10–12 LPA
Tanishq, Titan, Samsung
NIFT (All Campuses)
Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai
₹2–3 lakh/year
₹8–10 LPA
H&M, Raymond, Myntra
IIT Bombay – IDC
Mumbai
₹2–3 lakh/year
₹12–14 LPA
Microsoft, Philips, Adobe
College of Art, Delhi
Delhi
₹60,000–₹80,000/year
₹5–6 LPA
Print & Ad Agencies
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Varanasi
₹50,000–₹1 lakh/year
₹4–5 LPA
Local design firms
Sir JJ School of Art
Mumbai
₹1–2 lakh/year
₹5–6 LPA
Ad agencies, art galleries
Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU)
Vadodara
₹60,000–₹1 lakh/year
₹4–5 LPA
Creative studios
Top Government Design Colleges in India
Government design colleges in India are known for their affordability, strong academic foundation, and industry relevance.
College
Location
Average Fees (INR)
Placement (INR)
National Institute of Design (NID)
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
₹2.5–3.5 lakh/year
₹10–12 LPA
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru
₹2–3 lakh/year
₹8–10 LPA
IIT Bombay – IDC School of Design
Mumbai
₹2.5–3 lakh/year
₹12–14 LPA
College of Art
Delhi
₹60,000/year
₹5–6 LPA
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
Varanasi
₹1 lakh/year
₹4–5 LPA
Sir JJ School of Art
Mumbai
₹1.5 lakh/year
₹5–6 LPA
These institutes are funded by the Government of India and provide world-class infrastructure, faculty, and exposure to global design trends at minimal fees.
Top Private Design Colleges in India
Private design institutes offer flexibility in curriculum, global collaborations, and strong placement partnerships with major design houses and fashion brands.
College
Location
Fees (INR)
Average Package (INR)
MIT Institute of Design (MIT-ID)
Pune
₹3–4 lakh/year
₹7–9 LPA
Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID)
Pune
₹4–5 lakh/year
₹6–8 LPA
Pearl Academy
Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur
₹6–7 lakh/year
₹6–8 LPA
Amity School of Design
Noida
₹3–4 lakh/year
₹5–6 LPA
Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID)
Ahmedabad
₹3–4 lakh/year
₹6–7 LPA
Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD)
Delhi
₹4–5 lakh/year
₹6–7 LPA
Arch College of Design and Business
Jaipur
₹3 lakh/year
₹5–6 LPA
Location-wise Best Design Colleges in India in 2026
Below is the overview of the top design colleges across key regions in India for 2026 admissions. The selections are based on recent rankings (e.g., NIRF 2025, IIRF, and other sources), reputation, and focus on B.Des or equivalent programs. Tables include prominent colleges offering specialisations like fashion, product, interior, graphic, and communication design.Â
Best Design Colleges in Delhi NCR
Delhi NCR is a hub for design education, with strong industry ties to fashion, tech, and creative sectors. Top colleges emphasize innovation and global exposure.
College Name
Location
Accepted Entrance Exam
Fees (Approx. Total for B.Des)
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
New Delhi
NIFT Entrance Exam
₹12-14 Lakhs
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Delhi)
New Delhi
UCEED
₹8-9 Lakhs
Pearl Academy
New Delhi
Pearl Academy Entrance Exam
₹20-25 Lakhs
Indian Institute of Art & Design (IIAD)
New Delhi
IIAD Entrance Exam
₹12-15 Lakhs
Amity University
Noida
Amity JEE / CUET
₹7-10 Lakhs
World University of Design (WUD)
Sonipat
WUD Aptitude Test / UCEED
₹10-12 Lakhs
The Design Village
Noida
TDV Entrance Exam
₹10-12 Lakhs
Best Design Colleges in Mumbai
Mumbai’s design colleges benefit from proximity to Bollywood, advertising, and fashion industries, offering practical training and internships.
College Name
Location
Accepted Entrance Exam
Fees (Approx. Total for B.Des)
Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay (IDC IITB)
Mumbai
UCEED
₹8-9 Lakhs
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
Navi Mumbai
NIFT Entrance Exam
₹12-14 Lakhs
Pearl Academy
Mumbai
Pearl Academy Entrance Exam
₹25-30 Lakhs
NMIMS School of Design
Mumbai
NMIMS DAT
₹15-20 Lakhs
Amity University
Mumbai
Amity JEE / CUET
₹5-10 Lakhs
Aditya College of Design Studies
Mumbai
Merit / Institute Test
₹4-6 Lakhs
Best Design Colleges in Ahmedabad & Jaipur
These western cities are known for heritage crafts and modern design innovation, with Ahmedabad as a UNESCO Creative City and Jaipur focusing on jewelry/textiles.
College Name
Location
Accepted Entrance Exam
Fees (Approx. Total for B.Des)
National Institute of Design (NID)
Ahmedabad
NID DAT
₹13-16 Lakhs
Unitedworld Institute of Design (UID)
Ahmedabad
UID DAT
₹20-25 Lakhs
Anant National University
Ahmedabad
AnantU Entrance Exam
₹10-12 Lakhs
CEPT University
Ahmedabad
CEPT Entrance / Merit
₹12-15 Lakhs
Pearl Academy
Jaipur
Pearl Academy Entrance Exam
₹15-20 Lakhs
ARCH College of Design & Business
Jaipur
AIEED
₹15-18 Lakhs
Best Design Colleges in Bangalore, Chennai & Hyderabad
Southern hubs like Bangalore (tech-design fusion), Chennai (textiles), and Hyderabad (emerging creative scene) offer diverse programs with strong placement networks.
College Name
Location
Accepted Entrance Exam
Fees (Approx. Total for B.Des)
National Institute of Design (NID)
Bangalore
NID DAT
₹13-15 Lakhs
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
Bangalore
NIFT Entrance Exam
₹12-14 Lakhs
Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Technology
Bangalore
SEED / Institute Test
₹20-22 Lakhs
Pearl Academy
Bangalore
Pearl Academy Entrance Exam
₹20-25 Lakhs
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
Chennai
NIFT Entrance Exam
₹12-14 Lakhs
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
Hyderabad
NIFT Entrance Exam
₹12-14 Lakhs
Woxsen School of Arts & Design
Hyderabad
Woxsen DAT
₹15-18 Lakhs
Top B.Des Colleges in Central India
Central India (e.g., Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh) is growing in design education, with focus on sustainable and interdisciplinary approaches. NID Bhopal leads the region.
College Name
Location
Accepted Entrance Exam
Fees (Approx. Total for B.Des)
National Institute of Design (NID)
Bhopal
NID DAT
₹13-15 Lakhs
SAGE University
Bhopal
SAGE Entrance Exam (SEE)
₹4-6 Lakhs
Avantika University
Ujjain
Avantika DAT
₹8-10 Lakhs
Amity University
Gwalior
Amity JEE / CUET
₹6-8 Lakhs
ITM University
Gwalior
ITM NEST
₹5-7 Lakhs
Admission Process and Entrance Exams for Design Colleges in India
The admission process for design programs is rigorous and creative. It evaluates both artistic ability and conceptual thinking.
Common Entrance Exams:
NID DAT (Design Aptitude Test) – For NID campuses.
UCEED (Undergraduate Common Entrance Exam for Design) – Conducted by IIT Bombay.
NIFT Entrance Exam – For admission into NIFT campuses.
AIEED (All India Entrance Examination for Design) – For private institutes like Arch College.
SEED (Symbiosis Entrance Exam for Design) – For SID Pune.
MIT DAT (Design Aptitude Test) – For MIT Institute of Design, Pune.
IIAD Entrance Test – For IIAD, Delhi.
Selection Stages:
Written Test: Tests creativity, observation, and problem-solving.
Studio Test/Portfolio Review: Assesses practical design skills.
Interview Round: Evaluates personality, passion, and design thinking.
Popular Design Specializations in India
Design education allows students to choose from diverse creative domains:
Fashion Design: Apparel, accessories, and textile innovation.
Graphic & Communication Design: Visual storytelling, branding, and digital marketing.
Interior Design: Functional and aesthetic interior spaces.
Industrial/Product Design: Ergonomics, sustainability, and usability in consumer products.
Animation & Game Design: 2D/3D modeling, motion graphics, and immersive storytelling.
UX/UI Design: Enhancing digital interfaces for seamless user experiences.
Jewellery Design: Crafting fine jewelry with modern and traditional aesthetics.
Each specialization opens doors to sectors like e-commerce, media, architecture, and digital design.
Fees and ROI Comparison
Design education costs vary across colleges. Government colleges like NID and NIFT have moderate fees, whereas private ones may charge higher. However, the ROI (Return on Investment) remains strong due to growing design job demand.
College
Average Fees (INR)
Average Placement (INR)
ROI (%)
NID Ahmedabad
₹3.5 lakh/year
₹12 LPA
243%
NIFT Delhi
₹3 lakh/year
₹10 LPA
233%
IIT Bombay – IDC
₹3 lakh/year
₹14 LPA
367%
Pearl Academy
₹6 lakh/year
₹8 LPA
133%
MIT-ID Pune
₹4 lakh/year
₹9 LPA
225%
Symbiosis Institute of Design
₹4.5 lakh/year
₹7 LPA
155%
Placements and Career Opportunities
Design graduates enjoy opportunities across multiple creative sectors:
With India’s digital economy booming, demand for design professionals is at an all-time high.
FAQs
1. Which is the best design college in India? The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, tops the list of design colleges in India, offering top-notch courses, creative infrastructure, and excellent placement opportunities for aspiring designers.
2. What are the top entrance exams for design colleges in India? Top entrance exams include NID DAT, UCEED, NIFT, AIEED, and MIT DAT. These assess creativity, visualization, and problem-solving skills for admission into premier design institutes across India.
3. What is the average course fee for design colleges in India? Design college fees in India range between ₹1 lakh and ₹6 lakh per year, depending on the institution type, location, and specialization offered in design disciplines.
4. Which design specialization has the best career scope in India? UX/UI Design, Product Design, and Fashion Design have the highest career scope in India, offering creative freedom, innovation, and high-paying job opportunities in leading companies.
5. What is the average salary after graduating from a design college? Design graduates in India earn between ₹6–14 LPA on average, with top institutions like NID, NIFT, and IIT Bombay offering strong industry placement and global opportunities.
6. Can I pursue design after completing 12th in any stream? Yes, students from Arts, Commerce, or Science streams can apply for B.Des programs after 12th by appearing for entrance exams like NID DAT, UCEED, or AIEED.
7. What are the popular design courses in India? Popular design courses include B.Des, M.Des, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Graphic Design, and Animation, offered by top colleges like NID, NIFT, and MIT-ID.
8. What are the top private design colleges in India? Top private design colleges include MIT Institute of Design, Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pearl Academy, and Unitedworld Institute of Design, known for creative education and global placements.
9. Do design colleges in India offer good placement opportunities? Yes, leading design colleges in India offer 90–100% placements. Top recruiters include Titan, Myntra, Adobe, Accenture, and H&M, providing roles in UX, fashion, and product design.
10. Which government-designated colleges in India have low fees? Government-design colleges like NID, NIFT, IIT Bombay (IDC), and Sir JJ School of Art offer affordable fees and excellent ROI with top-tier placements and global career exposure.
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.
