Top 10 College Cities in India that students love!

Top 10 College Cities

India has always been an education hub, with colleges for academic and non-academic disciplines. Ever year the jostle for college admissions takes students to different cities. Ever wondered which are the top 10 college Cities which attract the maximum students and what are the magnets behind the student preference for these cities?

Top 10 College Cities

Pune

Once called ‘The Oxford of the East’ by Jawaharlal Nehru, Pune is an education hub. Pune scores on its employment opportunities, pleasant climate and is known to be one of the safest cities in India. The vibrant student and young professionals make Pune very liveable and a youth hub. The vibe is very cosmopolitan, and Hindi is understood by all, making Pune one of the top cities for MBA, and Under-graduation courses.

  • Pros: Affordable cost of living, with plenty of cafes, pubs, bars and nightclubs, many food joints are open post-midnight which makes it very convenient for the student community.
  • Cons:The Public transport is substandard and makes travelling a nightmare unless you own your own vehicle.

Pune Top Picks-

College Website Location
Symbiosis Institute https://www.sibm.edu/ Symbiosis Knowledge Village, Mulshi, Pune
Film and television Institute of India http://www.ftiindia.com/ Law College Road, Pune
Ness Wadia College of Commerce http://www.nesswadiacollege.edu.in/ 19 Late Prin. V.K. Joag Path, Pune
Fergusson College http://www.fergusson.edu/ F.C Road Pune
ILS Law College https://ilslaw.edu/ Law College Road, Pune
Bharati Vidyapeeth http://bvuniversity.edu.in/ LBS Road, Pune
AFMC http://www.afmc.nic.in/ Solapur Road, Pune

Delhi

Delhi is the abode to premier colleges having the craziest cut-offs in the subcontinent. With its satellite towns of Noida and Gurugram collectively known as NCR, Delhi is one of the fastest growing metropolitans in the world. The University of Delhi is the pick of the brightest of students topping the board exams year on year. Public Transport is comprehensive, Metros run on time making students travel easy. What more? Books and other reading materials are sold at low-cost as most of the publishing houses are in Delhi-NCR. On the social side, Delhi has a vibrant nightlife with numerous pubs, bars and clubs that remain open until 1 am. Markets are plenty suiting to every pocket.

 

  • Pros: Progressive and a relaxed city with rich art, literature and a culture scene and a start-up hub.
  • Cons: Safety is a big concern, the city is been into news for its crimes against women

Delhi Top Picks-

College Website Location
IIFT http://tedu.iift.ac.in/iift/index.php Qutab Industrial Area Delhi
IIT Delhi http://www.iitd.ac.in/ Hauz Khas, Delhi
University of Delhi http://www.du.ac.in/du/ South Moti Bagh, New Delhi
IGNOU http://www.ignou.ac.in/ NEB Sarai, Delhi
NLU Delhi http://nludelhi.ac.in/ Dwarka, Delhi

 

Top 10 College Cities - BengaluruBengaluru

The tech capital has been a student magnet too. Bengaluru is blessed with a cool and pleasant climate all the year round and is home to most of the Indian tech brands. The city is abuzz with tech-savvy youngsters, making it one of the most bankable locations for foreign tech giants. Bengaluru hosts huge number of music and cultural festivals which have been frequented by the student community.

 

  • Pros: Called as the start-up capital, Bengaluru offers huge opportunities in career progression.
  • Cons: The cost of living is high and you would have to pay a considerable amount for living. Reserve Bank of India’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rates Bengaluru as the costliest Indian city to live in!

Bengaluru Top Picks-

College Website Location
NLSIU https://www.nls.ac.in/ Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru
Christ University https://christuniversity.in/ Hosur Road Bengaluru
IISc http://www.iisc.ac.in/ CV Raman Rd, Bengaluru
Mount Carmel College http://www.mountcarmelcollegeblr.co.in/ Palace Road, Fatima Nagar, Bengaluru
St. Joseph’s College http://www.sjc.ac.in/ Lal Bagh Main Road, Bengaluru
IIM http://iimb.ac.in/ Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru
Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Health Sciences http://www.rguhs.ac.in/ Jayanagar, Bengaluru

Top 10 College Cities- MumbaiMumbai

For those looking for media and commerce studies, Mumbai is the place to be. The financial capital of India, also is home to the showbiz industry, attracting youth for studies and work opportunities.  Its hangout spots and picturesque beaches are hugely popular among the young students. Closer to Pune, Mumbai attracts weekend course takers too. On the entrainment and social part Mumbai is an insomniac city, the city that never sleeps. Mumbai is busy, cosmopolitan, progressive and open-minded with a vibrant nightlife, restaurants and famous street food.

  • Pros: Well-connected transportation system with busses, autos and locals connecting the length and breadth of the city, safe city for students and office professionals.
  • Cons: The distances are long, and one needs to schedule an extra hour or two just for travel to reach on time anywhere.

Mumbai Top Picks-

College Website Location
IIT Bombay http://www.iitb.ac.in/ Powai, Mumbai
St. Xavier’s College http://xaviers.edu/main/ Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai
SNDT Women’s University https://sndt.ac.in/ Churchgate, Mumbai
Sir JJ School of Art http://www.sirjjschoolofart.in/ Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai
Mithibai College http://www.mithibai.ac.in/ Vile Parle West, Mumbai
KG Somaiya College of Management Studies and Research https://simsr.somaiya.edu/simsr/ Ghatkopar East, Mumbai
Jai Hind College http://www.jaihindcollege.com/ Churchgate, Mumbai
NMIMS http://www.nmims.edu/ Vile Parle, Mumbai

Ahmedabad

The vibrant city of Ahmedabad is the favourite among the foodie students and youth professionals. There are popular restaurants with most of the food being vegetarian. The concept of night-life isn’t very popular, as Gujrat being a dry state. The roads and infrastructure facilities are good; the city is well connected to the major cities of India, making student movement convenient. The people are friendly and hospitable and the crime rates are low, making Ahmedabad a safe city for the student community.

  • Pros: Ahmedabad is gastronomic paradise, there are restaurants, eateries and food stalls almost everywhere, with most of the food being vegetarian.
  • Cons: Public transport is expensive and autos don’t have metres, so cheating is rampant.

Ahmedabad Top Picks-

College Website Location
National Institute of Design http://www.nid.edu/ Paldi, Ahmedabad,
IIM A https://www.iima.ac.in/web/iima Vastrapur, Ahmedabad
MICA – The school of Ideas https://www.mica.ac.in/ Ghuma road, Shela, Ahmedabad
Nirma University http://www.nirmauni.ac.in/ Chandlodia, Gota, Ahmedabad

 

Jaipur

The Pink City hosts the second highest educational institutes in the country with 635 institutes is next only to Bangalore (1,025 institutes). The desert state capital is home to over 25 universities. The good law and order situation and better train & bus connectivity make Jaipur an ideal city in the north, west and central India for students to pursue higher education. Jaipur being a tourist destination is home to a culturally rich history and vibrant festivals and a yummy Rajasthani cuisine that will leave you spell bound.

  • Pros: Peaceful, clean, and a safe city to live in. Being close to the national capital and an educational hub, Jaipur is on every student’s list.
  • Cons: Being a tourist destination, transportation costs are huge.

Jaipur Top Picks-

College Website Location
Banasthali Vidypith http://www.banasthali.org/ Vanasthali, Jaipur
ARCH Academy of Design https://www.archedu.org/ Malviya Nagar, Jaipur
BIT Mesra https://www.bitmesra.ac.in/BIT_Mesra?cid=5&pid=H Malviya Nagar, Jaipur
Indian Institute of Crafts and Design https://www.iicd.ac.in/ Malviya Nagar, Jaipur
Institute of Rural Management http://iirm.ac.in/ Mansarovar, Jaipur
National Institute of Medical Sciences and Research https://nimsuniversity.org/nu/ Jaipur-Delhi Highway, Jaipur

 

Hyderabad

The City of Nizams is an upcoming education destination too. With the paradigm shift of the IT industry and home to financial hubs, Hyderabad is a buzzing city to be in. Hyderabad is increasingly gaining prominence due to the migration of youth for education and jobs. While the IT pockets are cosmopolitan, the old city is still conservative. The living costs including groceries, clothing, communication and entertainment costs are lower, and rent is reasonable. What adds is the low cost of living, excellent entrainment options, and the world famous Hyderabadi biryani!

  • Pros: Technology and start-up hub.
  • Cons: Staying out late night is not advisable; the old city witnesses odd communal tensions.

Hyderabad Top Picks-

College Website Location
Osmania University http://www.osmania.ac.in/ Osmania University Campus
Indian School of Business http://www.isb.edu/ Gachibowli, Hyderabad
English and Foreign Languages University http://www.efluniversity.ac.in/ Tarnaka, Hyderabad
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University http://jntuh.ac.in/ Kukatpally, Hyderabad

 

Chennai

The southern city and home to the longest beach in India, Chennai is the hub of technical education and talent. Chennai scores brownie points for its technical colleges and higher educational institutions with their economical fees structure. Restaurants that serve traditional south Indian cuisine are plenty, and you will find many which serve international cuisine too. Travelling is modest as busses are cheap. On the social side, nightlife is non-existent; with non-existent pubs or bars.

 

  • Pros: Cost of living is less, the city is safe but petty theft (muggings, pickpocketing, etc.) occur in crowded areas.
  • Cons: Autorickshaws are expensive because they do not run on metres; Hindi is not spoken by majority.

Chennai Top Picks-

College Website Location
IIT Madras https://www.iitm.ac.in/ Sardar Patel Rd, Chennai
Loyola College http://www.loyolacollege.edu/ Nungambakkam, Chennai
Madras Institute of Technology http://www.mitindia.edu/ Chromepet, Chennai
Stella Maris College http://stellamariscollege.edu.in/ Chokkalingam Nagar, Teynampet, Chennai
 Asian College of Journalism https://www.asianmedia.org/ Taramani, Chennai

Top 10 College Cities - KolkataKolkata

The city of joy has been an educational magnet in the eastern part of the country. The living costs in Kolkata are the lowest among all the top cities, staying options are very affordable and yummy food is available in every nook and corner. Social life exists in some pockets of the city, with some popular eateries and pubbing joints.

 

  • Pros: Cost of living is less; the city is culturally vibrant. Kolkata is home to the largest library in India by volume, The National Library so if you like books Kolkata is the place to be!
  • Cons: Majority of the population do not speak Hindi; the city is shut by 10 pm.

Kolkata Top Picks-

College Website Location
Presidency University http://www.presiuniv.ac.in/web/ College Street, Kolkata
IIM Calcutta https://www.iimcal.ac.in/ Joka, Kolkata
Jadavpur University http://www.jaduniv.edu.in/ Raja S.C. Mallick Rd, Kolkata
Indian Statistical Institute https://www.isical.ac.in/ Barrackpore Trunk Road, Kolkata
St. Xaviers College http://www.sxccal.edu/ 30 Mother Teresa Sarani, Kolkata
Scottish Church College http://www.scottishchurch.ac.in/ Urquhart Square, Kolkata

Top 10 College Cities - BhubaneswarBhubaneswar

The capital city of Odisha has evolved as one of the most well-planned cities. Bhubaneswar is the home to many universities and colleges. Bhubaneswar

is a great place to be in, especially for Engineering and MBA aspirants.

 

  • Pros: Well-planned city with good connectivity between all parts of the city, vibrant student community.
  • Cons: Prices of food, clothes, education, medical treatment are high as compared to tier II cities.

Bhubaneswar Top Picks-

College Website Location
KIIT University http://kiit.ac.in/ Bajrang Vihar, Patia, Bhubaneswar
Utkal University https://www.utkaluniversity.nic.in/ Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar
IIT Bhubaneshwar http://www.iitbbs.ac.in/ Gajapati Nagar, Bhubaneswar
Xavier university https://www.ximb.edu.in/ Jayadev Vihar, Bhubaneswar

 

About the Author

Kamalika Some is Editor at Exambazaar Blog which provides resources, tips & material to help you in your exam preparation.

 

 

 

 

Exambazaar is India’s largest education discovery platform which provides comprehensive information for test preparation for entrance exams, colleges, courses, universities and career options in India.