Graphic Design Colleges in Kerala 2026: Fees and Admission

Graphic design courses in Kerala are offered by prominent institutions like MG University, St. Teresa’s College, Sacred Heart College, and Yeldo Mar Baselios College, alongside private training institutes. Degree course fees range from INR 8,665 to INR 75,000, while specialized professional diplomas in private institutes cost between INR 17,000 and INR 1,40,000.

At least 14 colleges and specialized institutes across Kerala offer graphic design education, spanning undergraduate degrees, postgraduate programs, and short-term professional certifications. Below is a complete guide covering top colleges, fee structures, eligibility criteria, admission steps, and career prospects in Kerala.

Top Graphic Design Colleges

Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) in Kottayam, Sacred Heart College in Kochi, St. Teresa’s College in Ernakulam, and St. Joseph’s College in Devagiri are among the premier academic choices in Kerala for design students. MGU offers a BA in Animation and Graphic Design as well as a B.Voc in Graphics and Animation. Sacred Heart College provides a self-financed MA in Graphic Design, while St. Joseph’s College in Devagiri offers a BA Honours in Animation and Graphic Design under its self-financing scheme.

Additional recognized degree options include Chetana College of Media and Performing Arts in Thrissur, which provides a BA in Graphic Design and Animation, and Jain Deemed to be University Kochi Campus, which offers a BA in Communication Design Graphic Design. Academic design programs across India are also evaluated under national frameworks like NIRF rankings.

Government Graphic Design Colleges

State university campuses and government-backed technical bodies in Kerala offer subsidized graphic design training for students seeking accredited degrees or quick skill certifications. Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam, provides a B.Voc in Graphics and Animation for a total course fee of INR 8,665 and a BA in Animation and Graphic Design for INR 34,680.

These public institutions allow students to gain foundational visual design skills with lower tuition overheads.

Private Graphic Design Colleges

Private colleges and specialized design institutes in Kerala provide updated software training, portfolio workshops, and specialized diploma tracks. Yeldo Mar Baselios College in Kothamangalam charges INR 57,000 for its BA in Animation and Computer Graphics and INR 75,000 for its MA in Graphic Design. St. Joseph College of Communication in Changanacherry offers design degrees for a total course fee of INR 1.80 lakh, while Rajagiri College of Management and Applied Sciences in Kakkanad charges INR 60,000.

Private training centers also deliver specialized skills. Goodness Institute of Film and Television in Kochi offers a 1-year Professional Diploma in Graphics and Web Design for INR 1,20,000. Image Institute of Multimedia Arts and Graphic Effects charges INR 1,40,000 for a 1.5-year Diploma in 3D Animation and VFX, while IIDM Kochi provides a 4.5-month Full Stack Digital Marketing course for INR 49,000.

Graphic Design Admission Process

• UG Eligibility: Candidates must pass 10+2 in any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) from a recognized board.
• PG Eligibility: Candidates require a completed graduation degree (10+2+3) from a recognized college.
• Entrance Exams: Accepted national level tests include NID DAT, UCEED, CEED, NIFT Entrance Exam, AIEED, SMEAT, UPES DAT, and Pearl Academy Entrance Exam.

Candidates must fulfill course-specific academic qualifications before applying to graphic design programs. Accepted national level entrance exams are utilized by various design institutes to screen applicants.

How to Choose a Graphic Design College

• Determine Course Type: Choose between a university degree (like BA or B.Voc at MGU for INR 8,665 to INR 34,680) or a specialized private diploma (like GIFT Kochi for INR 1,20,000).
• Check Tuition Costs: Compare short-term skill programs like Keltron (INR 17,000 for 3 months) or St. Teresa’s (INR 4,500) against multi-year program fees to fit your budget.
• Verify Eligibility Requirements: Confirm that you meet academic prerequisites, which require passing 10+2 in any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) for UG courses or holding a graduation degree for PG admission.
• Explore Available Locations: Select options in cities across Kerala such as Kochi, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kottayam, or Malappuram based on the specific program offered.

Selecting the right graphic design institute in Kerala requires evaluating course credentials, eligibility criteria, and fee limits against your personal career goals.

Graphic Design Placement Opportunities and Salary Scope in Kerala

Graduates of graphic designing courses in Kerala can secure employment across advertising agencies, media houses, IT firms, corporate marketing divisions, and printing studios.

Specific employers and roles offer varying compensation. Creative Printing and Graphic Design pays an average monthly salary of INR 1,17,500. Freelance graphic designers in Kerala earn an average monthly salary of INR 28,000. Key corporate and agency recruiters in the state include EY, RR Donnelley, iDynamics, McKinsey and Company, and Innovation Incubator.

How to Apply for Graphic Design Admission in 2026: Step by Step

1. Check Academic Eligibility: Verify that you have completed 10+2 from a recognized board in any stream (Science, Commerce, or Arts) for undergraduate degree/diploma courses, or completed a graduation degree (10+2+3) for postgraduate courses.
2. Prepare and Appear for Design Entrance Exams: If applying to competitive national or institutional design programs, appear for exams like NID DAT, UCEED, CEED, NIFT Entrance Exam, or AIEED.
3. Submit College / Institute Application: Apply through central university admission portals (e.g., MG University) or directly on individual private institute portals (e.g., GIFT Kochi, Keltron, Image Creative Education).
4. Prepare Creative Portfolio: Compile recent visual graphics, illustrations, or art samples if required for institute screening or personal interview rounds.
5. Participate in Counselling / Merit List Selection: Attend merit-based university allotment or personal interaction rounds conducted by design institutions.
6. Complete Document Verification and Pay Fees: Submit original 10+2 / degree mark sheets, identity proofs, and complete admission fee payment (ranging from INR 4,500 to INR 1,40,000 based on course type).