With the state of Karnataka now hit by examination fever, the student population and their parents would naturally face anxiety with respect to the future and in taking key studies-related decisions. Now, one key examination that students in the state are facing is the II PUC/12th standard exams which are generally considered key turning points as far as acquiring a professional academic degree, including engineering, is concerned.
The first-step that students generally take, to secure admission to any engineering college, is to obtain a list of these. Here, it becomes natural for students to check out the best and top-rated engineering colleges that have a good track record of all the key elements viz. faculty, coaching, and placements. However, in today’s competitive world where numerous engineering colleges are springing up like mushrooms, it is a herculean task to determine which are the best ones.
Therefore, we did a survey and spoke to numerous fresh engineers, students who joined their first-year engineering course recently, and career counsellors; who offered valuable insights on the best engineering colleges in Karnataka:
Karnataka – Land of Sir M Visveswaraiah; an iconic engineer of modern times
It is a known fact that budding engineers from across India land up in Karnataka to pursue engineering. At this juncture, it is worth remembering that more than 85% of the engineering colleges in the state are affiliated to the Visveswaraya Technological University (VTU) that is names after the legendary Bharat Ratna Sir M Visveswaraiah whose name is associated with the popular Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dam, and various offerings that are today serving as a boon to the state.
Now, having said that, it still potentially is a minor challenge among budding engineers to determine the best and not just fall by the wayside.
Follow traditions; it doesn’t hurt
“Always check the history of any particular institute, things like their placement cell, track records of job placements, companies associated with campus placements, and the most important aspect is the professional experience that heads of departments possess”, states a reputed career counsellor on the condition of anonymity having decades of experience in guiding students towards professional courses.
“Don’t be confused by the numerous colleges that are displayed while you attend your counselling sessions. Get details of all the top colleges in the state, and research on their placement activities and the experience level of faculties even before you attend counselling”, stated Amar (name changed) a recent graduate in the Computer Science and Engineering stream. Amar also publishes blogs focussed on guiding students towards the right college.
Here goes the list: Follow the leaders
National Institute of Technology (NIT), Surathkal – As per our research, more than 90% of engineering students rated NIT Surathkal as the most preferred choice. In fact, even tradition seconds this.
An engineering degree obtained from the NIT is considered prestigious and equivalent to having studied in one of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) institutes. It is worth noting that an IIT in Karnataka is yet to come up.
- Location – Surathkal, on the outskirts of Mangalore.
- Joining essentials: To get into the NIT, your qualifying examination can be II PUC/12th standard with a JEE score.
- USP (As per our survey respondents): Overall coaching, laboratories, emphasis on practicals, placements, and job skills training
University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bangalore – Established by Sir MV himself, this college, also known as UVCE is a constituent college of Bangalore University.
- Location: At the heart of Bangalore city.
UVCE-Bangalore
- Joining essentials: The Common Entrance Test (CET) conducted by the state of Karnataka, along with clearing a custom entrance test conducted by the college.
- USP (As per our survey respondents): Job skills training, emphasis on practical knowledge, overall faculty experience level.
RV College of Engineering (RVCE), Bangalore: Our survey respondents preferred RVCE due to the on-campus environment.
- Location: Mysore Road, Bangalore.
RVCE-Bangalore
- Joining Essentials: Common Entrance Test conducted by the state (K-CET), or a valid COMEDK rank.
- USP: The electronics engineering department received a big thumbs-up from our respondents. Placements was the next factor, so was the overall coaching.
Check out the others in the list
Of course, your qualifying examination scores (II PUC, 12th) along with your CET/COMEDK/AIEEE/JEE rankings determine your eligibility to engineering colleges in Karnataka. In sync with this, check out the list below to know which other colleges were rated highly by our study respondents, remember that admissions to these institutions are achieved via a valid K-CET/COMEDK/AIEEE rank:
SDM College of Engineering and Technology, Dharwad – The college was established in 1979, and is affiliated to the VTU; it is located in Dharwad which falls in the North Karnataka region. USP of this institute is its faculty, along with placement assistance.
- Location: Dharwad, North Karnataka.
SDM-Dharwad
- Joining Essentials: A competitive rank in the Common Entrance Test conducted by the state (KCET), or a valid COMEDK rank.
- USP: : USP of this institute is its faculty, along with placement assistance, as determined by our survey.
Malnad College of Engineering (MCE) -The MCE is affiliated to the VTU, and was established in 1960 as ajoint venture between the Governments of Karnataka, India, in tandem with the Malnad Technical Education Society. Located in the picturesque Hassan district of Karnataka, the college’s USP are its extensive training, offering hands-on experiences, and palcements.
- Location: Hassan city, South Karnataka.
MCE- Hassan
- Joining Essentials: A valid rank in the Common Entrance Test (K-CET) conducted by the Karnataka state.
- USP: Our Survey respondents highly rated the college’s extensive training techniques, focus on hands-on experiences, and placement assistance.
National Institute of Engineering (NIE) – The second oldest engineering college in Karnataka, the NIE is located in the state’s cultural capital Mysore. NIE also holds the distinction of being an autonomous institute whilst being affiliated to the VTU.
- Location: Mysore city, South Karnataka.
NIE-Mysore
- Joining Essentials: A valid rank in the Common Entrance Test (K-CET) conducted by the Karnataka state, or a valid COMEDK rank/score.
- USP: Graduates having passed out from this college have rated the expertise level of faculties as a major USP. The Electrical and Electronics Engineering department of the institution was the first preference of study, as per our respondents.
SJCE aka JSS Science and Technology University: Yet another engineering college located in Mysore, SJCE was established in the year 1963 and is aided by the Government of Karnataka.
- Location: JSS TI Campus, Manasagangotri, Mysore.
SJCE- Mysore
- Joining Essentials: A valid rank in the Common Entrance Test (K-CET) conducted by the Karnataka state.
- USP: The institute’s Computer Science and Engineering as well as Civil Engineering departments have been rated highly (by our survey respondents, and most of the general engineering community in Karnataka).
Siddaganga Institute of Technology (SIT): Located on the outskirts of Tumkur city, which is an hour’s drive from Bangalore, the SIT was started in 1963.. As of now, the college has received autonomous status.
- Location: Tumkuru, South Karnataka.
SIT Tumkur
- Joining Essentials: A valid rank in the Common Entrance Test (K-CET) conducted by the Karnataka state, or a valid COMEDK rank/score.
- USP: USP of the institution, as per our survey, were its on-campus atmosphere, college hostel, along with the placements.
Government Engineering College (GEC) at Hassan: A surprise entrant in our list, the college was preferred for its low fee structure by virtue of it being a completely government run engineering institute.
- Location: Hassan, South Karnataka.
GEC, Hassan
- Joining Essentials: A valid rank in the Common Entrance Test (K-CET) conducted by the Karnataka state.
- USP: Our survey respondents rated the college faculty as a positive point. However, the college placement activities received comparatively lower ratings in our survey; nonetheless the GEC at Hassan remains a preferred choice.
BMS College of Engineering – Located at the heart of Bangalore city, BMSCE is affiliated to the VTU. The college is also an autonomous institute.
- Location: Basavanagudi, Bangalore, South Karnataka.
BMSCE
- Joining Essentials: A valid rank in the Common Entrance Test (K-CET) conducted by the Karnataka state.
- USP: BMSCE received brownie points for its campus placements, experience level of faculties, and overall infrastructure despite being at the centre of the city’s hustle-bustle.
There are always ‘other’ open options
Remember that the above list is indicative of our survey, you have other options as well; but the fact worth remembering is that these options get reduced and filtered out during the counselling sessions based on your academic performance and ranks obtained in competitive examinations.
“The key factor is preparedness; not only for exams but also for counselling sessions. The couple of hours you spend at these sessions open doorsteps to your future.”, adds an eminent professor at one of the top-notch engineering colleges in Karnataka.
Finally, the key thing to remember is; despite the engineering college in which you study, it is only your practically acquired skills that matter with respect to securing a decent job. This is even applicable to higher studies as well.
If you think that we missed out on any engineering college, in our above list, feel free to let us know.
Inputs for the story are through our survey respondents, check the below pie-chart:
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