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Kerala boasts over 190 engineering colleges, with more than 120 being privately owned. These institutions are affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) and offer courses ranging from B.Tech to Ph.D. programs. The state’s engineering colleges are known for their strong placement records, with major companies regularly recruiting from these campuses.
Kerala has emerged as a premier destination for engineering education in India, home to numerous prestigious private engineering colleges that combine academic excellence with strong industry connections. The top 5 private engineering colleges in Kerala based on KIRF rankings are TKM College of Engineering, Rajagiri School of Engineering, Saintgits College of Engineering, Federal Institute of Science and Technology (FISAT), and Amal Jyothi College of Engineering.
Top 5 Private Engineering Colleges in Kerala Based on KIRF Rankings
Given below are Kerala’s leading private engineering colleges, recognized for their academic excellence and industry-ready graduates. This list highlights the top five institutions as ranked by the Kerala Institutional Ranking Framework (KIRF).
| College Name | KIRF Ranking |
| TKM College of Engineering | 3 |
| Rajagiri School of Engineering | 4 |
| Saintgits College of Engineering | 6 |
| Federal Institute of Science and Technology (FISAT) | 8 |
| Amal Jyothi College of Engineering | 9 |
Top 5 Private Engineering Colleges in Kerala With Placements and ROI
TKM College of Engineering offers the highest ROI (15 times), driven by its comparatively low fees and strong campus recruitment performance. FISAT and Amal Jyothi also provide solid returns (6–7 times), while Saintgits have a moderate ROI, given its high fee structure relative to the average package.
| College | Annual Tuition Fees (INR) | Average Placement Package (INR) | ROI |
| TKM College of Engineering, Kollam | 34,600 | 5.19 LPA | 15.00 |
| Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology, Kochi | 87,000 | 9.00 LPA | 10.34 |
| Saintgits College of Engineering, Kottayam | 75,000 | 4.00 LPA | 5.33 |
| Federal Institute of Science & Technology (FISAT) | 96,000 | 6.00 LPA | 6.25 |
| Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kanjirappally | 80,000 | 5.50 LPA | 6.88 |
A Detailed Overview of Top Private Engineering Colleges in Kerala
Kerala is home to some of the most prestigious private engineering colleges offering quality education and excellent career opportunities. This detailed overview of the top private engineering colleges in Kerala highlights the key features, rankings, fees, and placement records.
TKM College of Engineering
KIRF Ranking: 3rd | NIRF Ranking: 251-300 (2022)
Established in 1958, TKM College of Engineering is recognized as the premier private engineering institution in Kerala, according to the KIRF rankings. Located in Kollam, this college has established a strong reputation for academic excellence over the past six decades.
| Category | Details |
| Affiliation | APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) |
| Accreditation | AICTE approved with A-grade |
| Courses Offered | B.Tech, M.Tech, B.Arch, Ph.D. |
| Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and a minimum 45% aggregate |
| Entrance Exam (B.Tech) | KEAM |
| B.Tech Annual Fees | INR 70,000 |
| Total B.Tech Fees (4 years) | INR 2.8 Lakhs |
| Placement Rate | 60-80% |
| Average Package (2025) | INR 5.7 LPA |
| Highest Package | INR 34 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Oracle, IBM, Cognizant, HCL, MRF |
| Official Website | https://tkmce.ac.in/ |
Rajagiri School of Engineering
KIRF Ranking: 4th
Located in the prestigious Rajagiri Valley Campus at Kakkanad, Ernakulam, this institution has consistently maintained its position among Kerala’s top private engineering colleges since its establishment in 1999.
| Category | Details |
| Affiliation | APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) |
| Accreditation | AICTE approved, NAAC A+ grade |
| Campus | Rajagiri Valley Campus, Kakkanad |
| B.Tech Annual Fees | INR 70,000 |
| Total B.Tech Fees (4 years) | INR 2.8 Lakhs |
| Placement Rate | 80-90% |
| Average Package | INR 6-7 LPA |
| Highest Package | INR 52 LPA |
| Notable Achievement | Consistent topper in campus placement records among Engineering Colleges in Kerala |
| Top Recruiters | TCS, Infosys, Microsoft, Amazon, Adobe, LinkedIn, Yahoo |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exam: KEAM |
| Official Website | www.rajagiritech.ac.in |
Saintgits College of Engineering
KIRF Ranking: 6th
Established in 2002, Saintgits College of Engineering has rapidly gained recognition as one of Kerala’s leading private engineering institutions. Located in Pathamuttom, Kottayam, the college focuses on holistic development and industry-relevant education.
| Category | Details |
| Affiliation | APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) |
| Accreditation | AICTE-approved, NBA-accredited |
| Establishment | 2002 |
| B.Tech Total Fees (4 years) | INR 4.02 Lakhs |
| One-time Payment | INR 10K-1 Lakh (refundable deposit) |
| Placement Rate | 70% |
| Average Package | INR 4.5 LPA |
| Highest Package | INR 12 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies |
| Entrance Exam | KEAM |
| Official Website | www.saintgits.org |
Federal Institute of Science and Technology (FISAT)
KIRF Ranking: 8th
Established in 2002, FISAT has quickly established itself as one of Kerala’s top private engineering colleges. Located in Angamaly, Ernakulam district, the institute is known for its modern infrastructure and strong industry connections.
| Category | Details |
| Affiliation | APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) |
| Accreditation | AICTE approved, NAAC A+ grade |
| Establishment | 2002 |
| B.Tech Total Fees (4 years) | INR 1.16 Lakhs |
| Management Quota Fee Range | INR 2.09 Lakh |
| Placement Percentage | 90% |
| Highest Package | INR 16.04 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Infosys, TCS, Amazon, Wipro |
| Entrance Exam (B.Tech) | KEAM |
| Official Website | https://fisat.ac.in/ |
Amal Jyothi College of Engineering
KIRF Ranking: 9th
Amal Jyothi College of Engineering (AJCE), established in 2001, is a private, AICTE-approved institution affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, situated on a 60-acre campus in Kanjirappally, Kerala. Accredited by the NAAC (B+) and NBA, AJCE offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in engineering and computer applications.
| Particulars | Details |
| Year of Establishment | 2001 |
| Accreditation | NAAC B+; NBA |
| Affiliation | APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) |
| AICTE Approval | Yes |
| Popular Programs | B.Tech, M.Tech, MCA |
| Annual B.Tech Fee | INR 1.34 Lakhs |
| BTech Entrance Exam | KEAM |
| Total Offers | 396 |
| Top Recruiters | HDFC Bank, TCS, Envigo, IBM, Gartner, E&Y, Gadgeon |
| Official Website | https://www.ajce.in/ |
Also Check: Top Engineering Colleges in Kerala
How to Choose the Right Private Engineering Colleges in Kerala?
Choosing the right private engineering college is a crucial step toward building a successful engineering career. With numerous options available in Kerala, making an informed decision requires evaluating key factors that impact education quality, placement prospects, and overall student experience
- Accreditation and Approval: Ensure the college is approved by AICTE and accredited by NAAC or NBA to guarantee recognized and quality education.
- University Affiliation: Prefer colleges affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU), Kerala’s leading technical university.
- Faculty Quality: Evaluate the experience, qualifications, and research involvement of the teaching faculty for academic excellence.
- Placement Records and Industry Ties: Check recent placement statistics, average and highest salary packages, and the presence of top recruiters from IT and core sectors.
- Course Specializations: Opt for colleges that offer branches aligned with your career goals and provide modern labs and research facilities.
- Fee Structure and Affordability: Compare tuition and hostel fees relative to the college’s placement performance to ensure a good return on investment.
- Campus Infrastructure and Facilities: Look for well-equipped classrooms, libraries, labs, hostel amenities, and extracurricular opportunities for holistic development.
- Location and Accessibility: Consider colleges situated near tech parks or industrial hubs for better internship and job opportunities.
- Admission Process and Cut-offs: Understand the KEAM entrance exam requirements, cut-off trends, and availability of management or NRI quota seats.
- Student and Alumni Feedback: Research reviews and testimonials from current and former students to gauge the real academic environment and placement support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the top 5 private engineering colleges in Kerala offer a compelling blend of academic excellence, strong industry connections, and robust placement records, making the state a preferred destination for engineering aspirants. The highlighted institutions, TKM College of Engineering, Rajagiri School of Engineering, Saintgits College of Engineering, FISAT, and Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, demonstrate diverse strengths in fees, placement packages, and return on investment (ROI).
Among them, TKM College of Engineering stands out with the highest ROI, reflecting its affordable fees combined with excellent placement opportunities. Meanwhile, colleges like Rajagiri and FISAT maintain strong placement rates and attractive packages, providing viable options for quality education and promising career prospects in Kerala’s competitive engineering landscape.se admission data highlights the extensive reach and impact of this allotment across popular disciplines such as Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, and Chemical Engineering, as well as specialized branches like Agricultural and Food Technology. Candidates who secured admission through this round must complete the necessary formalities promptly to confirm their seats and begin their academic journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of the stray vacancy allotment in KEAM engineering admissions?
The stray vacancy seat allotment is conducted to fill any remaining vacant seats in government and aided engineering colleges after the completion of the main counselling rounds. It ensures maximum seat utilization and provides a last opportunity for candidates to secure admission.
2. Who is eligible to participate in the stray vacancy allotment round?
Candidates who are in the KEAM 2025 rank list and have not secured admission earlier, those seeking an upgrade, or those who obtained transfer certificates or did not join previously, are eligible to participate.
3. Can candidates retain their previous allotment if they get a seat in the stray vacancy round?
No, if candidates accept allotment in the stray vacancy round, their previous admission will be automatically canceled.
4. What happens if a candidate does not pay the fee or report to the allotted college after the stray vacancy allotment?
Failure to pay the fee or report to the allotted college by the specified deadline will result in the forfeiture of the allotted seat.
5. Is registration as a fresh option mandatory for participating in the stray vacancy allotment?
Yes, candidates must register fresh options specifically for the stray vacancy allotment. Previous options submitted during earlier rounds will not be considered.
