MHT CET 2026 cutoffs for Maharashtra’s top programming colleges released; fees range from ₹60,000 to ₹10 lakh

Candidates seeking admission to Computer Science Engineering (CSE) programs in Maharashtra for the 2026 academic year face heightened competition, as the branch remains the most sought-after across the state’s engineering colleges. The admission process, including details on fees and rankings for top programming institutions, has been clarified as of 21 September 2026.

Maharashtra, home to over 700 engineering colleges, provides a significant ecosystem for technical education. The state hosts highly-ranked institutes in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and colleges with strong placement records, reflecting a vibrant professional landscape for computer engineers.

Admission Pathways and Eligibility for CSE 2026

Admission to the majority of computer engineering programs in Maharashtra is primarily supported through competitive examinations. These include the MHT CET, JEE Main/Advanced, and CUET. The MHT CET 2026 (PCM group) examinations were conducted from 11 April to 19 April 2026, with results anticipated in June 2026. Registration for MHT CET 2026 took place between 30 December 2025, and 24 February 2026.

The minimum eligibility criteria for MHT CET typically require candidates to secure 45%-50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in Class 12, with relaxations provided for reserved categories. JEE Main 2026 scores are also accepted by numerous engineering colleges in Maharashtra, including NITs, IIITs, and various private institutions. International students (FN, NRI, OCI, PIO, CIWGC) can apply for B.E./B.Tech programs through the official State CET Cell portal based on their 12th-grade merit in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, without requiring JEE Main or MHT CET scores.

Centralized Admission Process and Management Quota

The Centralized Admission Process (CAP) for engineering admissions in Maharashtra is conducted by the State Common Entrance Test Cell. This process is crucial for seat allocation in government and government-aided institutions. Candidates are advised to register online on the official State CET Cell website (cetcell.mahacet.org) for CAP during June-July 2026.

Following the completion of CAP rounds, typically between May and August 2026, management quota admissions open. These quotas generally allocate approximately 15% of seats in private engineering colleges. Eligibility for management quota also requires a minimum of 45-50% in Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Candidates should verify seat availability and admission procedures directly through official college channels for management quota admissions.

Fees, Cutoffs, and Placement Prospects at Top Institutions

Fees for CSE programs in Maharashtra exhibit a wide range, from ₹60,000 to ₹10 lakh, influenced by factors such as institute reputation, specialization, residential status, and scholarship eligibility. IIT Bombay, ranked 3rd by NIRF for engineering, has 171 seats for CSE with total fees of ₹8,33,000. For the 2027 batch, IIT Bombay reported a median salary of ₹18.8 lakh.

Government colleges like VJTI Mumbai and COEP Technological University, Pune, are highly competitive, demanding top MHT CET ranks. COEP Technological University, Pune, has an expected MHT CET cutoff of approximately 99.85 percentile or a merit rank of around 300 for CSE in 2026, with total fees of ₹3,62,000 for 120 CSE seats. VJTI, Mumbai, has an expected MHT CET cutoff of Rank 95-110 for the Open category in 2026, offering 60 CSE seats with total fees of ₹3,24,000. VNIT Nagpur and COEP Pune reported median salaries of ₹11.92 lakh and ₹9.7 lakh, respectively, for the 2027 batch.

Vishwakarma Institute of Technology (VIT), Pune, has an expected MHT CET cutoff of 98.95 percentile for Computer Engineering (OPEN) in 2026, offering 240 CSE seats with total fees of ₹7,20,000. Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli, has total fees of ₹3.34 lakh. The median salary for the 2027 batch across various institutes ranges from ₹5.5 lakh (MIT-WPU) to ₹18.8 lakh (IIT Bombay).

Further reading

• MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 4 Allotment (Out): Check results at fe2026.mahacet.org for Engineering, Tech
• MHT CET 2026 CAP Round 4 Seat Allotment LIVE: Result published at mahacet.org
• JEE Main 2027 Session 1 exam dates announced: January 22-30
• UPESEAT 2027 Registration Begins; BTech Admission Applications Open at upes.ac.in Applications open
• KCET application form: eligibility, dates and how to apply
• MHT CET: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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