Top 10 Engineering Colleges in Chennai: Fees, Rankings, Admission Process and More

Chennai, an emerging educational hub located in South India, is a popular destination for engineering education. With established industrial infrastructure and a startup ecosystem, the city provides excellent networking and employment opportunities for graduates. In this article, let’s discuss about the top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai as IIT Madras, Anna University, and NIAT Chennai,  that provide students with excellent infrastructural facilities, better placement and networking opportunities, enhancing their career prospects. 

Key Highlights of the Top 10 Engineering Colleges in Chennai

The top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai mentioned in the list below are reputed institutions providing students with better infrastructure facilities, world-class education, and hands-on experience. Before knowing about the top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai, let’s get an overview of the total engineering colleges in Chennai.

Category	Details
Total Engineering Colleges in Chennai	-Total: 140+ -Govt- 13+ -Private-129+
Total Number of Colleges offering M.Tech Programs	-100+
Type of Colleges present	Autonomous, Private, Government, and Universities
Major Affiliating Universities	Anna University
Reputed Institutes	IIT Madras, Anna University, SRMIST
Popular Specialisations in 2025	CSE, DS, AI & ML, etc.
Career Prospects	With a consistent placement record of offering students the highest packages, the engineering colleges in Chennai enhance the students’ career prospects with better industry connections.
Why choose Chennai for Engineering Education?	Chennai offers top engineering colleges, skilled faculty, strong industry ties, affordable education, and excellent job opportunities, especially in IT, manufacturing, and research sectors.

List of the Top 10 Engineering Colleges in Chennai

Have a look at the following table for a quick overview of the accreditations and fee structure of the top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai:

S.no	College Name	Accreditation	Fees	Entrance Exams Accepted
1	IIT Madras	Institute of National Importance	₹7902 – ₹1,15,000	JEE Advanced
2	Anna University	-NAAC A++	₹10,000 – ₹40,,000	TNEA
3	SRM Institute of Science and Technology	-UGC -AICTE -NAAC ‘A++’	₹1,75,000 – ₹2,25,000	SRMJEE
4	Chennai Institute of Technology	-UGC -AICTE -NAAC ‘A+’	₹2,60,000	TNEA
5	SSN College of Engineering	-NBA -NAAC ‘A++’	₹80,000	TNEA
6	Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology	-NBA -NAAC ‘A++’ -ABET	₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000	SAEEE
7	Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences	-NBA -UGC -NAAC ‘A+’ -ABET	₹4,60,000	JEE Mains/TNEA
8	NIAT Chennai	-UGC -AICTE -NAAC ‘A’(Accreditations of the Collaborated University)		NAT
9	B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology	-NAAC ‘A+’	₹1,50,000 – ₹4,00,000	TNEA
10	AMET University	-UGC -AICTE -NAAC ‘A’	₹2,10,000	TNEA

Also Read: Top 10 Engineering colleges in Mangalore

Details of the Top 10 Engineering Colleges in Chennai

Chennai is a popular metropolitan area in India, and with a diverse ecosystem of industries and start-ups, the city offers students excellent networking opportunities and enhanced career prospects. Check the details of the top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai below:

1. IIT Madras

Established in the year 1959, IIT Madras is one of the prestigious institutes in India and is an institute of national importance. IIT Madras is a prominent institute in Indian that is consistently ranked in the top engineering colleges category by NIRF. IIT Madras is a leader in technical education, research, and innovation, with a strong focus on entrepreneurship and offers various programs in engineering, such as Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Computer Science, etc.

Accreditations	Entrance Exam	Fee	Eligibility Criteria	Popular Specializations	Placements & Avg Package
-INI	JEE Advanced	₹7902 – ₹1,15,000	Must have passed class 12th with PCM	CSE, ECE, ME, CE, EEE, etc.	10 LPA

Admission Process:

Based on the JoSAA counselling, those students who qualified for the JEE Advanced exam are allotted admissions to IIT Madras based on their merit.

Documents Required during Admissions:

During the admission process, students are asked to submit the following documents:

• Provisional Seat Allotment Letter (from JoSAA)
• Class 10 and 12 Marksheets/Certificates
• JEE Advanced Admit Card and Scorecard
• Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS, if applicable)
• PwD Certificate (if applicable)
• Aadhaar Card
• Medical Fitness Report as per JoSAA format
• Fee Payment Receipt

Placement Stats & Top Recruiters: 

IIT Madras provides students with excellent placement opportunities, with the institute’s strong industry ties and its reputation for producing professionals. The highest package offered at IIT Madras was 4 Cr ,and the average package was around 10 LPA.

2. Anna University

Anna University is a premier public state university located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, established in 1978. It acts as an affiliating body for hundreds of engineering colleges across the state and is one of the top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai. Its main campus, the College of Engineering, Guindy (CEG), is one of the oldest technical institutes in India. The university is highly regarded for its academic standards and extensive research in technology and applied sciences.

Accreditations	Entrance Exam	Fee	Eligibility Criteria	Specializations Offered	Placements & Avg Package
-NAAC A++	TNEA	₹10,000 – ₹40,000	Must have passed class 12th with PCM	CSE, ECE, ME, CE, EEE, etc.	6 LPA

Admission Process:

Admissions to Anna University are offered based on the TNEA rank and the subsequent rounds of the counselling process.

Documents Required during the Admission Process:

Students have to submit the following documents during the admission process for Anna University:

• TNEA Allotment Letter
• Class 10 and 12 Marksheets/Certificates
• Transfer Certificate (TC)
• Community Certificate (if applicable)
• Nativity Certificate (if applicable)
• Aadhaar Card
• First Graduate Certificate (if applicable)

Placement Stats and Top Recruiters:

Anna University is known for its excellent placement record, and the highest package offered was 40 LPA, with the average package being 6 LPA. Top recruiters for Anna University are tech giants like Amazon, Cisco, Samsung, etc.

3. SRM Institute of Science and Technology

SRM Institute of Science and Technology was established in the year 1985, and it is one of the top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai, offering world-class engineering education with cutting-edge infrastructural facilities. SRMIST is known for its modern infrastructure, diverse range of engineering specialisations, extensive international collaborations, and a strong emphasis on research and innovation.

Accreditations	Entrance Exam	Fee	Eligibility Criteria	Specializations Offered	Placements & Avg Package
-UGC -AICTE -NAAC ‘A++’	JEE Main/ SRMJEE	₹1,75,000 – ₹2,25,000	Must have passed class 12th with PCM	ME,CE,CSE and its specialisations, ECE, EEE, etc.,	7 LPA

Admission Process:

Admissions to the SRMIST are offered based on the JEE Mani scores and the institute-specific entrance examination, i.e. SRMJEE. Candidates have to register for the entrance examination by visiting the official website.

Documents Required during the admission process:

Students have to submit the following set of documents during the admission process:

• SRMJEEE Rank Card & Counselling Call Letter
• Class 10 and 12 Marksheets/Certificates
• Transfer Certificate (TC) and Migration Certificate
• Aadhaar Card
• Passport-size photographs
• Fee Payment Receipt

Placement Stats and Top Recruiters:

With great connections, SRMIST offers students excellent placement opportunities and the top companies like Amazon, Hyundai, and TCS hire students from SRMIST every year. The highest package offered to a student was 50 LPA, and the average package was around 7 LPA.

4. Chennai Institute of Technology

Established in the year 2010, Chennai Institute of Technology is one of the top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai. Chennai Institute of Technology is affiliated with Anna University and is a reputed institute for offering excellent placement opportunities for students. With a dedicated placement cell, centres of excellence in collaboration with the private companies, Chennai Institute of Technology prepares students for future roles and offers them excellent opportunities to excel in their domain.

Accreditations	Entrance Exam	Fee	Eligibility Criteria	Specializations Offered	Placements & Avg Package
-UGC -AICTE -NAAC ‘A+’	TNEA	₹2,60,000	Must have passed class 12th	CE, ME, CSE, ECE, etc.	7 LPA

Admission Process:

Admissions to the Chennai Institute of Technology are offered based on the TNEA scores and counselling processes. Candidates can also apply for the management quota admissions through the official website.

Documents Required for the Admission Process:

Candidates have to submit the following set of documents during the admission process:

• TNEA/Management Allotment Order
• Class 10 and 12 Marksheets/Certificates
• Transfer Certificate (TC)
• Community Certificate (if applicable)
• Aadhaar Card
• Passport-size photographs

Placement Stats and Top Recruiters:

Top companies like Amazon, TCS, Bosch, and Oracle hire students from the Chennai Institute of Technology and the highest package offered was around 50 LPA, with the average package being 7 LPA.

5. SSN College of Engineering

Sri Sivasubramaniya Nadar (SSN) College of Engineering, founded in 1996 by Dr. Shiv Nadar (founder of HCL), is a top-tier private engineering college affiliated with Anna University. Located in Chennai, SSN is renowned for its merit-based admission process, academic rigour, highly qualified faculty, and exceptional research environment. It is consistently ranked among the best engineering colleges in Chennai.

Accreditations	Entrance Exam	Fee	Eligibility Criteria	Specializations Offered	Placements & Avg Package
-NBA -NAAC ‘A++’	TNEA	₹80,000	Must have passed class 12th	ME, ECE, CSE, CE, etc.,	10 – 20 LPA

Admission Process:

Admissions to the SSN College of Engineering are based on the TNEA rank and the counselling processes. Students can also avail the management quota seats by applying through the official website of the college.

Documents Required during Admissions:

Students have to submit the following documents during the admission process:

• TNEA/Management Allotment Order
• Class 10 and 12 Marksheets/Certificates
• Transfer Certificate (TC)
• Community Certificate (if applicable)
• Aadhaar Card
• Passport-size photographs

Placement Stats and Top Recruiters:

Top recruiters for the SSN College of Engineering include Goldman Sachs, TCS, and Infosys. The highest package offered was 1.17 Cr, and the average package ranges around 10-20 LPA.

6. Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology

Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology was established in 1987 and is one of the top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai. Offering diverse programs and a vast campus, the institute is reputedly known for its placement opportunities and offering excellent academic experience for students. The university offers a wide array of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in engineering, technology, and other fields.

Accreditations	Entrance Exam	Fee	Eligibility Criteria	Specializations Offered	Placements & Avg Package
-NBA -NAAC ‘A++’ -ABET	SAEEE	₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000	Must have passed class 12th	CE, CSE, ECE, ME, EEE, etc.,	5 LPA

Admission Process:

Admissions to the Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology are offered based on the entrance examination conducted by the institute, i.e. SAEEE.

Documents required during Admissions:

Students have to submit the following documents during the admission process:

• SAEEE Score Card and Allotment Letter
• Class 10 and 12 Marksheets/Certificates
• Transfer Certificate (TC) and Migration Certificate
• Community Certificate (if applicable)
• Aadhaar Card
• Fee Payment Receipt

Placement Stats and Top Recruiters:

With top companies like HCL, TCS, and IBM recruiting students from the college every year, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology offers students excellent placement opportunities. The highest package offered was 53 LPA, with the average being 5 LPA.

7. Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences is a prominent deemed-to-be-university in Chennai, primarily acclaimed for its medical and dental colleges. Its engineering wing, the Saveetha School of Engineering, offers a range of B.E./B.Tech programs with a focus on a practical, choice-based credit system and a fully flexible curriculum.

Accreditations	Entrance Exam	Fee	Eligibility Criteria	Specializations Offered	Placements & Avg Package
-NBA -UGC -NAAC ‘A+’ -ABET	NA	₹4,60,000	Must have passed class 12th	CE, ME, CSE, ECE, etc.	5 LPA

Admission Process:

Admissions to the Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences are offered based on the merit of the student in their Class 12th examinations.

Documents Required during the admission process:

The following are required to be submitted during the admission process:

• Provisional Allotment Letter
• Class 10 and 12 Marksheets/Certificates
• Transfer Certificate (TC)
• Aadhaar Card
• Community Certificate (if applicable)
• Passport-size photographs

Placement Stats and Top Recruiters:

Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences are known for its excellent industry connections and offers students better placement opportunities. Top companies like TSC, Wipro, and Infosys hire students from the college every year. The highest package offered was 13 LPA, and the average package was 5 LPA.

8. NIAT Chennai

NxtWave Institute of Advanced Technologies is a premier institute with its presence across India. NIAT offers upskilling programs for students in cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, Data science, cybersecurity, etc. The institute, in collaboration with the Government-recognised colleges, provides students with the upskilling program along with the B.Tech degree in engineering. Students will have an opportunity to work with the MNCs right from their first year and build projects by the end of their final year. Learning from mentors with relevant industry experience, NIAT Chennai provides students with a fulfilling academic experience along with enhanced career prospects.

Accreditations	Entrance Exam	Fee	Eligibility Criteria	Specializations Offered	Placements & Avg Package
-UGC -AICTE -NAAC ‘A’(Accreditations of the Collaborated University)	NAT	₹2,25,000 – ₹3,00,000	Must have passed class 12th	CSE and its specialisations.	–

Admission Process:

Admissions to the NIAT Chennai are offered based on the entrance examination i.e. NxtWave Admission-Counselling Test(NAT), followed by a one-to-one counselling session where students are asked about their interests, and are guided on how to choose a specialisation. Students can apply to the NIAT by navigating to the official website.

9. B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology

Established in 1984, the B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology is a well-regarded deemed-to-be-university located in Chennai. Situated on a lush green campus in Vandalur, the institute is known for its strong emphasis on research, holistic education, and values. It offers a wide range of programs in engineering, technology, architecture, and management.

Accreditations	Entrance Exam	Fee	Eligibility Criteria	Specializations Offered	Placements & Avg Package
-NAAC ‘A+’	CIEAT	₹1,50,000 – ₹4,00,000	Must have passed class 12th	CE, ME, CSE, ECE, etc.,	5 LPA

Admission Process:

Admissions to the B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology are offered based on the TNEA rank and the counselling process.

Documents required for admissions:

Students have to submit the following documents during the admission process:

• CIEAT/JEE Score Card and Allotment Letter
• Class 10 and 12 Marksheets/Certificates
• Transfer Certificate (TC)
• Migration Certificate
• Aadhaar Card
• Fee Payment Receipt

Placement Stats and Top Recruiters:

Top companies like TCS, Cognizant, and Wipro hire students from the college every year. The highest package offered was 15 LPA, with the average being 5 LPA.

10. AMET University

AMET (Academy of Maritime Education and Training), established in 1993, is India’s first deemed-to-be-university dedicated to maritime education and training. Located on the scenic East Coast Road in Chennai, AMET offers specialised undergraduate and postgraduate programs in maritime engineering, nautical science, and naval architecture, equipping students for careers in the global shipping industry.

Accreditations	Entrance Exam	Fee	Eligibility Criteria	Specializations Offered	Placements & Avg Package
-UGC -AICTE -NAAC ‘A’	AMET CET	₹2,10,000	Must have passed class 12th with PCM	Marine engineering, Petroleum engineering, Nautical science, etc.	4 LPA

Admission Process:

Admissions to the AMET University are offered based on the entrance examination i.e. AMET CET.

Documents Required during admissions:

The following documents are required during the admission process:

• AMET CET Rank Card and Allotment Letter
• Class 10 and 12 Marksheets/Certificates
• Transfer Certificate (TC)
• Passport (mandatory for maritime courses)
• Medical Fitness Certificate from a DG Shipping-approved doctor
• Passport-size photographs

Placement Stats and Top Recruiters:

AMET provides excellent placement opportunities within the maritime industry. Top international and national recruiters include Maersk, Chevron, Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, Wallem, Fleet Management, and Shipping Corporation of India. The highest package offered was 6 LPA, with the average being 4 LPA.

Student Reviews for the Top 10 Engineering Colleges in Chennai

Student reviews are an authentic source to get an understanding of their experience with the college they are studying in. Here are some student reviews for the top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai:

How to Choose the Best Engineering Colleges in Chennai?

Deciding to pursue engineering comes along with the question of choosing the best engineering college. It is an important decision to consider as it shapes your future and ensures you get a fulfilling college life. Consider the following factors to choose the best engineering colleges in Chennai:

1. Infrastructure: Some of the top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai provide students with excellent infrastructural facilities to support their learning. Fully equipped facilities like labs and libraries are an essential resource for students to foster research and innovation among them.

2. Placements: An engineering college with a consistent placement record can help you with better opportunities. This signifies the college’s connections with industries and its commitment in providing students with better opportunities. Check the college’s placement record on its official website to get an understanding of the placements. 

3. Faculty: Faculty is a crucial factor in making your learning journey cherishable. Faculty members with relevant experience can provide students with valuable insights and lessons from their experiences. Look for the faculty profiles from sources like LinkedIn, etc.

4. Rankings and Accreditations: Rankings and Accreditations from the government-recognised bodies can help you greatly as they ensure the curriculum is up to the standards. The certificates are also recognised across the globe if you plan to pursue any higher studies abroad.

5. Alumni Network: Alumni network can showcase the college’s commitment in producing professionals in the field of engineering. An excellent alumni network can also help students with better networking and employment opportunities.

Return on Investment

Return on Investment is a calculation of the average percentage of returns you can expect for the investment in your education. This is calculated by comparing the tuition fees for the four years and the average package that the college is offering. Check the ROI for the top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai, mentioned above:

College Name	Tuition Fees	Average Salary Package	ROI
IIT Madras	₹7902 – ₹1,15,000	10 LPA	217%
Anna University	₹10,000 – ₹40,,000	6 LPA	375%
SRM Institute of Science and Technology	₹1,75,000 – ₹2,25,000	7 LPA	77%
Chennai Institute of Technology	₹2,60,000	7 LPA	77%
SSN College of Engineering	₹80,000	10 – 20 LPA	468%
Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology	₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000	5 LPA	62.5%
Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences	₹4,60,000	5 LPA	30%
B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology	₹1,50,000 – ₹4,00,000	5 LPA	30%
AMET University	₹2,10,000	4 LPA	50%

Know How CollegeDost Helps You Choose the Best Engineering Colleges

CollegeDost is a free online platform providing students with the latest exam updates, counselling processes, exam strategies, and information about colleges across India. CollegeDost provides students with the following features for free:

• Latest Information: CollegeDost gives students the latest and quickest updates about the exam schedules, counselling processes, application deadlines and more.

• College Comparisons: CollegeDost helps students with a college comparison tool, which helps them compare their preferred colleges side by side and check their similarities and differences. This can help them choose the best option among their preferred list of colleges.

• College and Rank Predictor Tools: With our exclusive college predictor and rank predictor tools, students can predict their expected colleges based on their rank, and can predict their expected rank based on their exam score. This helps prepare beforehand for the counselling and admission processes.

• WhatsApp Community: CollegeDost’s WhatsApp community is a vast community of over 300,000+ students who get access to mentorship, free webinars from experts and quick updates. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the list of top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai, which include IIT Madras, SRMIST, Anna University, and NIAT Chennai, provides students with cutting-edge technologies, hands-on learning experience, and better career opportunities. Colleges like NIAT Chennai help students get access to cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, and ensure students learn from industry experts, which enhances their learning experience and fosters innovation and critical thinking among them. This article discusses about the top 10 engineering colleges in Chennai, their fee structure, admission process, and more to give insights to the students who are willing to pursue engineering education in Chennai.

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