Top universities in Karnataka offer a wide range of programmes to choose from. They offer diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral level programmes in different branches, like business administration, computer applications, general management, commerce, biotechnology, data science, and many more. In Karnataka, a total of 92 universities are present, 44 of which are private, and the other 48 are government universities. Some of the top universities in Karnataka are the Indian Institute of Science, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Jain Deemed to be University, Christ University, and more. These top universities in Karnataka offer admission to them based on some national/ state-level entrance exams, like KPGCET, CAT, KCET, MAT, JEE, NEET, UCEED, CLAT, etc.
The top 5 universities in Karnataka are mentioned in the table below, along with their NIRF ranking 2025.
University | NIRF Rank 2025 | Ownership |
1 | Public | |
3 | Private | |
21 | Private | |
62 | Private | |
63 | Private |
In this section, we have mentioned some top government universities in Karnataka. Students searching for the best government universities in Karnataka can refer to the table below.
University | NIRF Rank 2025 |
IISc Bangalore - Indian Institute of Science | 1 |
65 | |
71 | |
95 | |
101 - 150 |
Some of the top private universities in Karnataka are listed in the table below.
University | NIRF Rank 2025 |
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) | 3 |
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research | 21 |
Jain Deemed to be University | 62 |
Christ University | 63 |
80 |
Some of the popular entrance exams that these top universities in Karnataka accept are mentioned in the table below.
University | Entrance Exams |
IISc Bangalore - Indian Institute of Science | JEE MAIN / JEE ADVANCED / NEET-UG / GATE / CEED / NET JRF / KVPY / JAM |
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) | |
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research | |
Jain Deemed to be University | JET / EAMCET / KCET / COMEDK / UNI GAUGE / MAT / CAT / XAT / NMAT / GMAT / GATE |
Christ University |
The starting fee for these top universities is mentioned in the table below.
University | Fees |
IISc Bangalore - Indian Institute of Science | ₹ 28.40 K |
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) | ₹ 11.00 K |
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research | ₹ 10.20 K |
Jain Deemed to be University | ₹ 15.00 K |
Christ University | ₹ 54.00 K |
Some of the top recruiters that visit these top universities in Karnataka for the placements are mentioned in the table below.
University | Top Recruiters |
IISc Bangalore - Indian Institute of Science | Amazon / Dell / SAP / IBM / Microsoft / Google |
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) | Accenture / Amazon / Deloitte / ITC Limited / Philips / Myntra |
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research | Himalaya / Parexel / Novartis / Cipla / Ranbaxy / Fortis Hospital |
Jain Deemed to be University | Samsung / Sophos / TCS / Sun Mobility / Volvo / TITAN |
Christ University | Deloitte / Accenture / KPMG / Byju’s / HSBC / Amazon |
What are the top universities in Karnataka?
Ans: Some of the top universities in Karnataka are mentioned below:
Indian Institute of Science
Manipal Academy of Higher Education
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research
Jain Deemed to be University
Christ University
Which entrance exams does IISc Bangalore accept for admission?
Ans: IISc Bangalore accepts multiple national-level entrance exams, like GATE, JEE, JEE ADVANCED, NEET, JAM, IISER Aptitude Test, etc.
Does Karnataka have any IIT institutions?
Ans: Yes, Karnataka have the Indian Institute of Technology, which is located in Dharwad, i.e. Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad (IIT Dharwad).
What is the UG median package at IISc Bangalore?
Ans: According to the placements 2024, the UG median package at IISc Bangalore is 3 L per annum as per the NIRF 2025 report.
What programmes does Jain University offer?
Ans: Jain University offer undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level programmes. Some popular courses are B.Tech, BSc, BCA, M.Tech, BA, B.Com, MBA, etc.
NIRF Ranking:
151-200NIRF Ranking:
65NIRF Ranking:
151-200NIRF Ranking:
151-200Ownership:
Chamarajanagar, Karnataka
Ownership:
Chamarajanagar, Karnataka
NIRF Ranking:
63Careers360
: 32Ownership:
Bangalore, Karnataka
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Bangalore, Karnataka
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Raichur, Karnataka
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Raichur, Karnataka
Careers360
: 44NIRF Ranking:
1Careers360
: 1NIRF Ranking:
62Careers360
: 24Ownership:
Bangalore, Karnataka
Ownership:
Bangalore, Karnataka
Careers360
: 59Careers360
: 59NIRF Ranking:
21Careers360
: 7Ownership:
Gotagodi, Karnataka
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Gotagodi, Karnataka
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Bangalore, Karnataka
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Bangalore, Karnataka
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Mysuru, Karnataka
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Mysuru, Karnataka
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Bidar, Karnataka
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Bidar, Karnataka
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Shivamogga, Karnataka
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Shivamogga, Karnataka
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Kalaburagi, Karnataka
Ownership:
Kalaburagi, Karnataka
NIRF Ranking:
101-150