Best Nursing Colleges in Karnataka: Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026, Placements
Karnataka is one of the top states in India for nursing education, and has about 900+ nursing colleges spread across the state. You can pick your colleges for courses like B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc Nursing, GNM, and Nursing & Midwifery, with most colleges following the RGUHS (Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences) curriculum. Admission mostly happens through NEET, though some private colleges also accept KCET or CUET scores, and a few even allow direct admission. Big names like Nitte Usha Institute of Nursing Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Srinivas University, Global College of Nursing, and St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences are known for strong placements and hospital tie-ups.
Karnataka is one of the top states in India for nursing education, and has about 900+ nursing colleges spread across the state. You can pick your colleges for courses like B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc Nursing, GNM, and Nursing & Midwifery, with most colleges following the RGUHS (Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences) curriculum. Admission mostly happens through NEET, though some private colleges also accept KCET or CUET scores, and a few even allow direct admission. Big names like Nitte Usha Institute of Nursing Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Srinivas University, Global College of Nursing, and St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences are known for strong placements and hospital tie-ups.
- Best Nursing Colleges in Karnataka: Known Facts 2026
- Eligibility Criteria for Admission to Karnataka Nursing Colleges 2026
- Accepted Entrance Exams in the Top Karnataka Nursing Colleges 2026
- Private Nursing Colleges in Karnataka
- ROI of the Best Private Nursing Colleges in Karnataka
- Government Nursing Colleges in Karnataka
- Low-cost Nursing Colleges in Karnataka
- Comparison of the Best Colleges for Nursing in Karnataka 2026
Best Nursing Colleges in Karnataka: Known Facts 2026
Karnataka has a good mix of low-cost government nursing seats and quality private colleges. This makes it a popular choice for students from across India. Many private colleges here are also tied up with big hospital chains, which helps students get better placements after they finish the course. For more details, check the table below. It shows the top colleges in Karnataka offering Nursing courses.
| Parameters | Particulars |
|---|---|
| Total no. of Nursing colleges in Karnataka | 900+ colleges |
| Top Nursing institutes in Karnataka | St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Alva's College of Nursing, New Royal College of Nursing, DSU - Dayananda Sagar University, etc. |
| Fee range of top colleges | ~ INR 8,000 - INR 12 lakh |
| Top Nursing specialisations offered | GNM, Obstetrics & Gynaecology Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing, Paediatric Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, etc. |
| Accepted entrance exams | KCET, NEET, CUET, etc. |
Eligibility Criteria for Admission to Karnataka Nursing Colleges 2026
Check below the eligibility criteria for the BSc Nursing colleges in Karnataka.
- Must have passed Class 12 with PCB, and English with a minimum marks of 45% for the general category, 40% for reserved category.
- Must have attained the age of 17 years as of December 31 of the admission year.
- NEET is commonly required; some colleges also accept KCET or CUET scores.
- A few private colleges offer direct admission based on 12th marks, without any entrance exam.
Accepted Entrance Exams in the Top Karnataka Nursing Colleges 2026
To get admission to top colleges for Nursing in Karnataka, you must clear certain entrance exams after completing your Class 12. Check the table below for the top accepted entrance exams with schedule and college predictor.
| Exams | Exam Date | Exam College Predictor |
|---|---|---|
| NEET Exam | NEET Exam Date | NEET College Predictor |
| KCET Exam | KCET Exam Date | KCET College Predictor |
| CUET Exam | CUET Exam Date | CUET College Predictor |
Private Nursing Colleges in Karnataka
Karnataka has many private nursing colleges, mostly in Bangalore, Manipal, Mangalore, and Mysore. These colleges offer B.Sc Nursing, M.Sc Nursing, and GNM courses. Top 10 nursing colleges in Karnataka private include MAHE Manipal, Ramaiah Institute of Nursing, St. John's College of Nursing, and Vydehi Institute of Nursing Sciences. See the list below for fees.
Top Private Nursing Colleges in Karnataka |
Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| East Point Group of Institutions Nursing Courses | INR 4.92 lakh - INR 5.6 lakh |
| St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences Nursing Courses | INR 1.92 lakh - INR 5.6 lakh |
| DSU - Dayananda Sagar University Nursing Courses | INR 1.84 lakh - INR 7.28 lakh |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education Nursing Courses | INR 1.68 lakh - INR 8.48 lakh |
| Srinivas University Nursing Courses | INR 10.04 lakh - INR 11.64 lakh |
| Acharya Institute of Health Sciences Nursing Courses | INR 2.07 lakh - INR 2.85 lakh |
| Krupanidhi College of Nursing Courses | INR 74,000 - INR 2.49 lakh |
| Yenepoya (Deemed to be university) Nursing Courses | INR 96,000 - INR 12.15 lakh |
| M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences Nursing Courses | INR 1.7 lakh - INR 12 lakh |
| PES University Nursing Courses | INR 8.4 lakh |
NOTE: Fees given above are from official sources and can change.
ROI of the Best Private Nursing Colleges in Karnataka
Private nursing colleges cost more, but many give strong placements through hospital tie-ups. Colleges with their own hospitals, like St. John's, give better job exposure and higher pay. Nurses can also move abroad later for much higher salaries, which makes the cost worth it.
| Top Colleges | Tuition Fee | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Nitte Usha Institute of Nursing Sciences Placements | INR 1.67 lakh - INR 9.15 lakh | INR 2.73 LPA - 36 LPA |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education Placements | INR 1.68 lakh - INR 8.48 lakh | INR 10.05 LPA |
| Srinivas University Placements | INR 10.04 lakh - INR 11.64 lakh | INR 10 LPA |
| Global College of Nursing Placements | INR 2.59 lakh - INR 3.25 lakh | INR 9.2 LPA |
| St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences Placements | INR 1.92 lakh - INR 5.6 lakh | INR 3.8 LPA |
NOTE: Fees and median salary are from official sources and can change.
Government Nursing Colleges in Karnataka
Government nursing colleges in Karnataka have very low fees and good training. Admission depends on NEET or KCET rank, with extra benefits for reserved categories. These top 10 nursing colleges in Karnataka government also give strong hands-on training through tie-ups with government hospitals.
Top Government Nursing Colleges in Karnataka |
Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute Nursing Courses | INR 50,600 |
| National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Nursing Courses | INR 20,000 |
| ESIC Medical College, Gulbarga Nursing Courses | INR 81,800 |
| Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology Nursing Courses | INR 57,000 |
| ESIC College of Nursing Courses | INR 81,800 |
NOTE: The college costs mentioned above are from official sources.
Low-cost Nursing Colleges in Karnataka
Some Karnataka colleges offer B.Sc Nursing at very low fees. KIMS Hubli is one of the cheapest, costing around Rs 25,000 for the whole course. Other low-cost picks are Bangalore City College of Nursing and AECS Maruthi College of Nursing. These top Nursing colleges in Karnataka through KCET are great for students who want good education at low cost.
| Affordable Nursing Colleges in Karnataka | Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| Adichunchanagiri University Fees | INR 8,000 |
| Bangalore City College of Nursing, Kadusonappanahalli Fees | INR 8,000 |
| Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University, Gadag Fees | INR 12,000 |
| Manjushree College of Nursing Fees | INR 13,000 - INR 60,000 |
| K.T.G. School of Nursing Fees | INR 13,000 - INR 60,000 |
Comparison of the Best Colleges for Nursing in Karnataka 2026
To check the comparison of the best Nursing colleges in Karnataka, click on the links below.
Best Nursing Colleges in Karnataka: Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026, Placements
Commonly asked questions On Best Nursing Colleges in Karnataka: Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026, Placements
Yes, candidates are eligible for admission in MSc course at R.V. College of Nursing with 60% in Class 12. The minimum required aggregate of Class 12 for admission in the BSc course is 45% (40% for reserved category). They must submit the marksheet and certificate for the same to apply for and confirm admission in the college.
Commonly asked questions On Best Nursing Colleges in Karnataka: Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026, Placements
| Courses | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| B.Sc. | Candidate must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognised school/board. |
- Download the application form from the official VTU website
- pay the application fee and submit the form to the college
Admission to the school will open soon. Please visit the Shiksha website on a timely basis to get the recent updates.
Commonly asked questions On Best Nursing Colleges in Karnataka: Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026, Placements
| Courses | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| BBA | Candidate should have passed PUC/12th Standard from Recognized Board. |
| B.Com | Candidate should have passed PUC/12th Standard from Recognized Board. |
| BCA | Candidate should have passed PUC/12th Standard from Recognized Board. |
| B.Sc. (Post Basic) | Candidate must have completed GNM Course or should have a Diploma with or without experience. |
| D.Pharma | Candidate must have scored mentioned marks under Science with Mandatory subjects. |
| B.E. / B.Tech | Candidate must have passed in 2nd PUC / 12th Std / Equivalent Exam with English as one of the Languages and obtained in aggregate in Physics and Mathematics along with Chemistry / Bio-Technology / Biology / Electronics / Computer with the mentioned marks in aggregate from a recognised Institute/ University. |
| MBBS | Candidate must have passed in Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English individually and must have obtained mentioned percentage taken together in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Biotechnology. In respect of PwBD candidates as per NMC and DCI Regulations, the minimum marks in the qualifying examination in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (or Botany & Zoology)/Biotechnology taken together shall be 40% instead of 50%. Candidates who have passed Class 12 from Open School or as private candidates shall not be eligible to appear for theNational Eligibility Cum Entrance Test'. However, this has been a subject matter of challenge before the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi, Hon'ble High Court of Allahabad, Lucknow Bench, and Hon'ble High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur The lower age limit is 17 years on or before 31st Dec of the year of admission (born on or before 31.12.2006) Result awaited candidates can also apply. |
| B.Sc. | Candidate must have scored mentioned marks in 10+2 class passed from recognised board under AISSCE/CBSE/ICSE/SSCE/HSCE or other equivalent Board. Students appearing in 10+2 examination in Science conducted by National Institute of Open School with 45% marks are also eligible to apply. |
| M.Sc. | Minimum 1-year work experience as mentioned above, in a hospital or nursing educational institution after obtaining B.Sc. Nursing for candidates with post basic B.Sc. in nursing degree. |
| UG Diploma | Students with vocational ANM from a school registered by State Nursing Registration Council with minimum 40% marks can also apply. |
| Courses | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| B.Sc. (Post Basic) | Candidate must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized school/board. |
| B.Sc. | Candidate must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognized school/board. |
| UG Diploma | Candidate must have completed 10+2 from any recognised Board/Council. |
Commonly asked questions On Best Nursing Colleges in Karnataka: Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026, Placements
Commonly asked questions On Best Nursing Colleges in Karnataka: Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026, Placements
KLE University accepts various entrance exam scores for admission to different programs. The specific exam accepted for a particular programme depends on the program's requirements. For undergraduate programs, common exams include the KLE Scholastic Aptitude Test (KLE SAT), Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main), Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) Undergraduate Entrance Test (UGET), and National Eligibility Test (NEET). For postgraduate programs, common exams include the Postgraduate Common Entrance Test (PGCET), Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT), Common Admission Test (CAT), and Management Aptitude Test (MAT).
| Courses | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| B.Sc. (Post Basic) | Candidates should be registered as Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (RNRM). Candidates should possess a three-year Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM). Candidates should have a minimum of two years of experience in the profession (after registration as RNRM). |
| B.Sc. | Candidate must have passed 10+2 examination with Science stream from a recognised board. |
| GNM | Registered ANM with pass mark. |
| Courses | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| B.Sc. | Candidate must have passed 10+2 in Science stream with above mentioned marks from any recognised Board/Council. |