Best Design Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admission 2026
2544 Best Design Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admission 2026
Design colleges in India offer courses at UG, PG, Diploma, Doctorate, and Certificate level. Candidates interested Designing or creating products, can apply in these courses after completing Class 12 boards or by clearing entrance exams like NIFT exam, NID exam, UCEED, etc. Top design colleges in India are generally recognised as Institutions of National Importance or deemed universities, accredited by UGC or AICTE, ensuring high academic standards and recognised certifications.
There are about 2,400+ best Design colleges in India. Of these, 1,400 colleges are privately owned, 300+ are government colleges and semi-government owned 100+ colleges. The top 10 Design colleges in India include NIFT Delhi, Amity University University Noida, NIFT Bangalore, NIFT Mumbai, NIFT Chennai, NIFT Hyderabad, NIFT Gandhinagar, Pearl Academy Mumbai, and many others.
Design colleges in India offer courses at UG, PG, Diploma, Doctorate, and Certificate level. Candidates interested Designing or creating products, can apply in these courses after completing Class 12 boards or by clearing entrance exams like NIFT exam, NID exam, UCEED, etc. Top design colleges in India are generally recognised as Institutions of National Importance or deemed universities, accredited by UGC or AICTE, ensuring high academic standards and recognised certifications.
There are about 2,400+ best Design colleges in India. Of these, 1,400 colleges are privately owned, 300+ are government colleges and semi-government owned 100+ colleges. The top 10 Design colleges in India include NIFT Delhi, Amity University University Noida, NIFT Bangalore, NIFT Mumbai, NIFT Chennai, NIFT Hyderabad, NIFT Gandhinagar, Pearl Academy Mumbai, and many others.
- Important Highlights of the Best Design Colleges in India 2026
- Eligibility Criteria to get Admission to Indian Design Colleges 2026
- Entrance Exams Accepted in top Design Colleges in India 2026
- NIFT Exam Accepting Design Colleges in India
- Best Designing Institutes in India: Courses, Fees, Eligibility
- Best Private Design Colleges in India
- Best Government Design Colleges in India
- Best Semi Government Design Institutes in India
- Best Design Colleges in India Offering B Des Programme
- Location-Wise Best Design Colleges in India
- 10.1 Best Design Colleges in Delhi/NCR
- 10.2 Best Design Colleges in Mumbai
- 10.3 Best Design Institutes in Bangalore
- 10.4 Best Design Colleges in Pune
- Highest Salary Offered by Best Design Colleges in India
- Best Low-Cost Designing Colleges in India
- Top Specialisations for Best Designing Colleges in India
Important Highlights of the Best Design Colleges in India 2026
Top Design colleges in India offer diverse specialisations like Game Design, Jewellery Design, Graphic Design, etc. Admission are usually based on tests scores like UCEED, NIFT, NID exam. Given below are the key highlights of the best Design colleges in India with all important info. -
| Particulars |
Statistics |
|---|---|
| Total no. of Design colleges in India |
2,400+ colleges |
| Annual Fee range of the best Designing colleges in India |
< INR 1 lakh: 490+ INR 1-3 lakh: 460+ INR 3-5 lakh: 470+ INR 5-7 lakh: 180+ INR 7-10 lakh: 100+ INR 10-15 lakh: 100+ INR > 15 lakh: 70+ |
| Top Design Institutes in India |
|
| Top Designing Specialisations offered in Indian colleges |
|
| Accepted Entrance Exams |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Eligibility Criteria to get Admission to Indian Design Colleges 2026
Given below is the eligibility criteria to get admission to the best Design colleges in India -
- For UG admission, candidates must complete their Class 12 in any stream Science, Commerce, and Arts with an aggregate of 45-60% marks.
- For PG admission, candidates must have Bachelor’s degree in Design with 55-60% aggregate marks.
Source: Official site and may vary.
Entrance Exams Accepted in top Design Colleges in India 2026
Admission to these Designing colleges in India will be based on merit or through entrance exams. Listed below are the top entrance exams accepted in the bachelor of design colleges in India with schedule -
| Exam Name | Exam Schedule | Exam Cutoff Predictor |
|---|---|---|
| CUET | CUET Schedule | CUET Cutoff Predictor |
| UCEED | UCEED Schedule | UCEED Cutoff Predictor |
| NIFT Entrance Exam | NIFT Exam Schedule | NIFT Cutoff Predictor |
| NID Entrance Exam | NID Exam Schedule | NID Cutoff Predictor |
Source: Official site and may vary.
NIFT Exam Accepting Design Colleges in India
About 40+ best Design colleges accepting NIFT entrance exam in India. Some of them are mentioned below along with their tuition fees:
| Top Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| NIFT Delhi | INR 6 lakh - INR 12 lakh |
| NIFT Bangalore | INR 77,000 - INR 12 lakh |
| NIFT Mumbai | INR 6 lakh |
| NIFT Chennai | INR 9 lakh - INR 12 lakh |
| NIFT Hyderabad | INR 6 lakh - INR 12 lakh |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Best Designing Institutes in India: Courses, Fees, Eligibility
There are many top courses offered by the top Designing colleges in India like BDes in Fashion Designing, Interior Designing, Animation Film Designing, etc with tuition fees and eligibility -
Source: Official site and may vary.
Best Private Design Colleges in India
There are about 1400+ private design colleges in India. Private colleges are somewhat expensive than government colleges as it has better infrastructure, more specialisations, and better facilities. Given below are the top private colleges with tuition fees and eligibility criteria -
| Private Colleges |
Total Tuition Fee |
Eligibility/Exams |
|---|---|---|
| INR 2.88 lakh – INR 16.72 lakh |
CUET and Merit-Based |
|
| JD Birla Institute Admission | INR 1.57 lakh - INR 4.13 lakh | Merit-based |
| INR 25,000 - INR 13 lakh |
PU DAT |
|
| Amity University, Mumbai Admission | INR 1.89 lakh - INR 11.68 lakh | CUET and Merit-Based |
| UID Karnavati University Admission | INR 1.65 lakh - INR 40 lakh | UID Design Aptitude Test |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Best Government Design Colleges in India
Government colleges are affordable than private colleges as and it has well-established colleges with credible reputation, but with limited seats and tough competition for the seats. Given below are the top government colleges with tuition fees and eligibility criteria -
| Public/Govt. Colleges |
Total Tuition Fee |
Eligibility/Exams |
|---|---|---|
| NIFT Bangalore Admission | INR 74,340 - INR 12.96 lakh | NIFT Entrance Exam and Merit-Based |
| INR 94,400 – INR 12.96 lakh |
NIFT Entrance Exam and Merit-Based |
|
| INR 47,200 – INR 12.96 lakh |
NIFT Entrance Exam and Merit-Based |
|
| NIFT Chennai Admission | INR 5.86 lakh - INR 12.34 lakh | NIFT Entrance Exam and Merit-Based |
| NIFT Hyderabad Admission | INR 6.07 lakh - INR 12.96 lakh | NID Entrance Exam |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Best Semi Government Design Institutes in India
Top semi government and government-affiliated design colleges in India with strong placements, and lower fees than private colleges. These top-ranked, government-funded institutes focus on specialised, high-quality, and research-driven design curricula. Given below are the top semi government colleges with tuition fees -
| Semi-Govt. Colleges |
Total Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Carmel College, Mala Admission | INR 36,000 |
| St. Aloysius College Admission | INR 36,000 |
| Arya Post Graduate College Admission | INR 23,890 |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Best Design Colleges in India Offering B Des Programme
Top 10 BDes colleges in India offering BDes programs include top institutes like Amity University Noida, NIFT Delhi, Amity University Mumbai, NIFT Bangalore, etc. These colleges provide specialisation in fields like Fashion, Communication, Product, and User Experience (UX) Design. Check the table below for the top colleges with tuition fees -
| Top Colleges | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Amity University Noida BDes | INR 7.92 lakh - INR 8.8 lakh |
| NIFT Delhi BDes | INR 12.34 lakh |
| Amity University Mumbai BDes | INR 4.88 lakh - INR 11.68 lakh |
| NIFT Bangalore BDes | INR 5.63 lakh - INR 12.34 lakh |
| NIFT Mumbai BDes | INR 5.63 lakh - INR 12.34 lakh |
| UID Karnavati University BDes | INR 24 lakh - INR 40 lakh |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Location-Wise Best Design Colleges in India
Design colleges are spread all over India in major cities. You can enrol in government or private Design colleges in India. Given below is the region-wise distribution of the top Design schools in India:
Best Design Colleges in Delhi/NCR
Candidates can see the table below for the top Design colleges in Delhi NCR with their tuition fees and eligibility -
| College Names | Tuition Fee | Eligibility/Exams |
|---|---|---|
| Amity School of Fashion Technology Courses | INR 2.88 lakh - INR 11.84 lakh | Merit-Based |
| Amity University Noida Courses | INR 2.9 lakh - INR 12.54 lakh | CUET and Merit-Based |
| DTU Courses | INR 2.88 lakh | UCEED, CEED |
| IIAD Entrance Exam Courses | INR 9.66 lakh - INR 21.08 lakh | IIAD Entrance Exam and Merit-Based |
| NIFT Delhi Courses | INR 70,800 - INR 12.34 lakh | NIFT Entrance Exam and Merit-Based |
| Pearl Academy Courses | INR 1.4 lakh - INR 3.2 lakh | Pearl Academy Entrance Exam, DAT |
| United World Institute of Design, GD Goenka University Courses | INR 24 lakh - INR 40 lakh | UID Design Aptitude Test |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Best Design Colleges in Mumbai
Candidates can see the table below for the top Design colleges in Mumbai with their tuition fees and eligibility -
| College Names | Tuition Fee | Eligibility/Exams |
|---|---|---|
| Amity University Mumbai | INR 1.68 lakh - INR 10.56 lakh | CUET and Merit-Based |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University | INR 80,000 - INR 3.8 lakh | Merit-Based |
| IDC-IIT Bombay | INR 70,000 - INR 11.56 lakh | UCEED, CEED |
| IIAD-IIT Bombay | INR 1 lakh - INR 11.56 lakh | UCEED, CEED |
| NIFT Mumbai | INR 1.3 lakh - INR 11.74 lakh | NIFT Entrance Exam and Merit-Based |
| NMIMS School of Design, NMIMS | INR 17.8 lakh | UCEED, NMIMS DAT and Merit-Based |
| Pearl Academy Mumbai | INR 2.2 lakh - INR 21.52 lakh | Pearl Academy Exam and Merit-Based |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Best Design Institutes in Bangalore
Candidates can see the table below for the top Design colleges in Bangalore with their tuition fees and eligibility -
| College Names | Tuition Fee | Eligibility/Exams |
|---|---|---|
| NID Bengaluru | INR 9.97 lakh | NID Entrance Exam |
| NIFT Bangalore | INR 60,000 - INR 12.34 lakh | NIFT Entrance Exam and Merit-Based |
| Srishti Manipal Insitute of Art, Design and Technology | INR 1,35 lakh - INR 5.61 lakh | UCEED, SAT India and SMEAT |
| Vogue Institute of Art and Design | INR 1.36 lakh - INR 6 lakh | Merit-Based |
| RV University | INR 6 lakh - INR 15 lakh | UCEED |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Best Design Colleges in Pune
Candidates can see the table below for the top Design colleges in Pune with their tuition fees and eligibility -
| College Names | Tuition Fee | Eligibility/Exams |
|---|---|---|
| MIT-ADT University | INR 4.9 lakh - INR 12.65 lakh | MITID DAT |
| SID Pune | INR 17.6 lakh | SEED and Merit-Based |
| MIT-WPU Pune | INR 8 lakh - IR 14 lakh | NIFT Entrance Exam and Merit-Based |
| School of Design, MIT WPU | INR 14 lakh | NIFT Entrance Exam and Merit-Based |
| International School of Design | INR 62,000 - INR 5.85 lakh | Merit-Based |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Highest Salary Offered by Best Design Colleges in India
Enrolling into the top Designing colleges in India can be worthwhile for you. To check the worth, candidates must check the ROI of each college by comparing tuition fees and eligibility criteria. Candidates can see some of the colleges in the table below -
| College Names |
Total Tuition Fee |
Annual Average Package |
|---|---|---|
| NIFT Kannur Placement | INR 6.16 lakh - INR12.96 lakh | INR 4.11 LPA - INR 6.1 LPA |
| Amity University Mumbai Placement | INR 1.89 lakh - INR 11.68 lakh | INR 6.2 LPA - INR 7.2 LPA |
| PSG College of Arts and Science Placement | INR 1.4 lakh - INR 2.7 lakh | INR 3.5 LPA - INR 4 LPA |
| Indian Institute of Fashion Technology Placement | INR 75,000 - INR 6.9 lakh | INR 2.1 LPA - INR 3.5 LPA |
| Bon Secours College For Women Placement | INR 43,000 - INR 44,000 | INR 2.76 LPA |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Best Low-Cost Designing Colleges in India
Not everyone can afford a college with high fees and expenses. Candidates can check the table below for the top affordable Designing colleges in India with tuition fees of less than INR 1 lakh -
| Affordable Design Colleges in India | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| NIFT Delhi Fees | INR 94,400 |
| NIFT Bangalore Fees | INR 74,340 - INR 97,350 |
| NIFT Mumbai Fees | INR 47,200 - INR 88,500 |
| NIFT Kolkata Fees | INR 18,800 - INR 75,150 |
| NIFT Patna Fees | INR 25,600 - INR 90,200 |
Source: Official site and may vary.
Top Specialisations for Best Designing Colleges in India
Fashion Design, Graphic Design and Apparel design are some of the top specialisations offered by the best Designing colleges in India. Candidates can check the table below for the top specialisations offered by top colleges -
Source: Official site and may vary.
Best Design Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admission 2026
Commonly asked questions On Best Design Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admission 2026
Backstage Pass Institute of Gaming and Technology is a tier 2 institute offering courses at UG and PG levels, in affiliation with Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU). The Institute has an Accelerator Program is designed to equip Backstage Pass students with the skills, mentorship, and resources needed to develop industry-ready games. This programme enhances students' game development skills while fostering teamwork, creativity, and innovation. The Program combines practical experience, expert mentorship, and industry exposure to prepare students for success in the global gaming market. Apart from this, the Institute has been awarded by various institutions and offers placement assistance to students through various collaborations.
Thiagarajar College of Engineering offers a large diversity of courses to students in various fields. Thiagarajar College of Engineering admissions are held on the basis of both merit and entrance tests. Students seeking course admissions must clear their previous qualifying examination and appear for any of the prescribed entrance exams such as NATA, TANCET, CEETA, GATE, among others. Students can visit the official website to learn more regarding the course-wise eligibility and specialisation details.
| Courses | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| B.Des | Candidate must have passed 10+2 from a recognized board. |
- Good infrastructure: Some say the college has a wide campus with spacious classrooms and Wi-Fi
- Good faculty: Some say the college has good faculty
- Good placement: Some say the college has good placement records
- Opportunities for portfolio building: Some say the college provides opportunities to build a portfolio and skill set
- Syllabus repetition: Some say the same syllabus is repeated every year
- Lack of teaching and learning updates: Some say there is no update in teaching and learning
- Student management: Some say managing students is very tough
Admission to Chaudhary Bansi Lal University depends on the criteria for both courses and eligibility . Bachelor programs at CBLU grant admission to students through Class 12 examination scores which results in more accessible entry points for students who achieve the prescribed cutoff. M.Sc. and MBA postgraduate applications at Chaudhary Bansi Lal University need either entrance assessments or merit-as-determined selection for entry. The level of competition among applicants determines the cutoff scores for programs including both M.Sc. Science subjects and MBA. Occupational groups that meet qualifications usually find relief in the admission score requirements. General courses generally have average admission barriers but admission into competitive programs demands increased academic excellence. Students who fulfill the admission requirements can obtain simple acceptance in their chosen courses after submitting their applications during designated time periods.
Commonly asked questions On Best Design Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admission 2026
IISU offers placement support to its students. Notable organizations that visit the institute for recruitment include Galbatross Technologies Llp, Airwil Infra Ltd, Zobele India Pvt Ltd, Baywatch Resort Goa, Leica Microsystems, Dynamatic Technologies Ltd, Synergy Global Technologies Inc, Eicher, Seitz India Pvt Ltd, Uaeindia Business Council, Basell Automation Systems Pvtltd, Daya Industry, Grid Inddia Power Cable Pvt Ltd, Dishu Sarees Ambala, Banco Const Pvt Ltd, Hughes & Hughes Chem Ltd New Delhi, System Level Solutions, Induvidal, Infolink Technologies, Jssiet Rajpura, Excelling 3Dp Pvt Ltd.
R.R Group of Institutions offers scholarships to students on the following basis:
i) Top 10 students will get a scholarships of 50% on total tuition fees.
ii) Next 30 students will get a scholarship of 30% on total tuition fees.
iii) Next 50 students will get a scholarship of 10% on total tuition fees.
Nalanda Open University has several pros and cons of studying for various students. The good and bad sides are given below:
Good side of studying at NOU:
- In comparison to other regular universities, NOU is affordable in terms of everything. The tuition fee, along with other fee components is lower.
- The system of distance learning is flexible for students living in different parts of the nation.
- NOU offers UG, PG, Diploma and Certificate courses across various specialisations. All these courses are recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Distance Education Council (DEC).
Bad sides of studying at NOU:
- Due to the distance learning mode, students lack interaction with the faculty. This can impact the learning experience of students.
- Open universities such as NOU Bihar and Patna IGNOU often lack placement opportunities, practical training and exposure.
- Students miss out on extra-curricular activities, vibrant college life, fests, events, internships and seminars.
Shri Shankarlal Sundarbai Shasun Jain College for Women admissions are based on merit. The college considers Class 12 score for UG programmes whereas graduation scores are considered for PG admission. Once selected, aspirants are called for document verification and fee payment.
Commonly asked questions On Best Design Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admission 2026
Yes!
In 1951 the University acquired statutory recognition from the Government of Maharashtra. This recognition came along with the rare privilege of jurisdiction across the country.
Today the University has three campuses-Pune, Churchgate and Juhu in Mumbai. In addition to 39 university Departments and 13 constituent colleges/ institutions located on Four campuses, it has 166affiliated colleges in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa Madhya Pardesh, Uttar Pradesh. It has an enrolment of over 70,000 students in liberal and professional programmes. These are offered thought 12 Faculties Viz Arts, Fine Arts, Social Science, Commerce, Science Education, Home Science, Law, Technology Management, Library and Information Science and social work.
As the University updated its campuses in Pune and Mumbai, its ideology and distinct purpose solidified. The Women's University set out to establish an environment in which girls could grow into strong, self-sufficient, responsible persons who could be a source of strength to their families and communities. This is as true today as it was a century ago. The university's motto is "-Wdl t MilRn." In other words, "an Enlightened women is a source of infinite strength." Based on this idea, the University has established several distinctive and unique aspects, such as catering entirely to women and offering programs relevant to them. Seven decades ago, the SNDT women's university pioneered the concept of distance education by allowing students to study from home.
IVS School of Design Noida has a Placement Cell that helps students with internships followed by placement assistance. The college arranges training sessions and mock interviews for students every year to prepare them for the placement drive at IVS School of Design, Noida. Some of the top recruiters that have visited the campus for placements include Square Yards, Hitachi, Kohler and Asian Paints, among others.
William Carey University is one of the eminnet univeristy and has a unique institution committed primarily to higher education where the academy integrates with the socio-economic and environmental realities to bring about a total transformation of people and their contexts. It is a UGC (University Grants Commission) recognised university and approved by PCI. The university is a member of the Association of Indian Universities. During, William Carey University placements the highest and average package is INR 15 LPA and INR 4 LPA.
Yes, Invertis University admissions are open. The university offers UG, PG, Diploma, and PhD courses. Admissions are open now for different programmes. Students may apply online or offline.
Commonly asked questions On Best Design Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admission 2026
- Log in to fill out the detailed application form for Science & Humanities programs
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph
- Pay non refundable application fee online via net banking, credit card or debit card.
- Submit the form
GNA University offers courses in streams like Engineering, Management, Science, Computer Applications, Pharmacy, etc. The university offers various courses to students at UG, PG, and PhD levels. At the UG level, the university offers courses like BTech, BSc, BBA, BCA, BPharm, BA, and BCom, among others. GU Punjab offers MBA, MCA, and M.Tech programmes at the PG level.
Candidates can apply online/offline for UG or PG courses at Alva's College. Below is the application fee and steps to apply for Alva's College:
Step : Visit the official website, alvascollege.com
Step 2: Click on 'Apply Now' on the Home page.
Step 3: Register with the basic details to generate login credentials.
Step 4: Login to fill out the application form.
Step 5: Upload the documents and pay the application fee of INR 150.
Step 6: Submit the application form.
NIF Global, Lindsay Street follows a direct admission process for which one should qualify the eligibility criteria which includes having completed class 10 or an equivalent qualification . The admission process is based on the last qualified exam. Shortlisted students should undergo an interview. It's important to apply on time.
Design Applications open. Apply Now
Commonly asked questions On Best Design Colleges in India - Courses, Fees, Admission 2026
DIT University Dehradun placement highlights over the past three years are mentioned below:
Particulars | Placement Statistics 2024 | Placement Statistics 2025 | Placement Statistics 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
Total offers | 1450 | 1550 | 1565 |
Highest package | INR 58 LPA | NA | INR 58 LPA |
Dr. N.G.P. Arts and Science College is a private institute established by the Dr. NGP Research and Educational Trust (Formerly Kovai Medical Center Research and Educational Trust) Coimbatore in 1997. Moreover, the institute is recognised by the UGC and is affiliated with Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. In addition, Dr. N.G.P. Arts and Science College is also accredited by the NAAC with an ‘A+’ Grade in the third cycle.
Sanskriti University accepts the following entrance exam scores for admission: CUET, JEE Main, NEET UG, XAT, and NMAT.
Sanskriti University offers programs in fields such as management, commerce, engineering, education, and science.
For B.Tech admission, Sanskriti University considers valid marks in the JEE Mains entrance exam. Students applying for an MBA are exempt from the written test if they have cleared the CAT, MAT, XAT/NMAT exams.
Admissions are based on SEEE/JEE Main scores or the merit of the qualifying examination. Students must have qualified for the class 12 with a minimum of 50% marks from any recognised board.