Kerala is home to some of India’s most prestigious engineering institutions, offering quality education and fostering innovation. Admission to these colleges is primarily through the Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM) entrance exam, conducted by the Office of the Commissioner of Entrance Exams. Candidates are ranked based on their performance in KEAM and Class 12 board exams, with seats allocated through a centralized counseling process(KEAM). Below, the colleges are ranked based on reputation, NIRF rankings, placement records, and KEAM counseling preferences.
1. College of Engineering Trivandrum (CET), Thiruvananthapuram
Established in 1939, College of Engineering Trivandrum (CET) is Kerala’s oldest technical institution, a government college, affiliated with the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. The college offers 12 undergraduate B.Tech and a B.Arch program, along with 30 postgraduate programs in engineering and architecture, MBA, MCA, and Ph.D. research programs. CET was ranked 108 in the 2024 NIRF engineering rankings. In 2023, CET recorded the highest package of ₹33 LPA and an average package of ₹5 LPA.
2. Government Engineering College Thrissur (GECT), Thrissur
Founded in 1957, Government Engineering College Thrissur (GECT) is Kerala’s second-oldest public engineering college, affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. It offers 7 undergraduate, 6 part-time undergraduate, 10 postgraduate, and Ph.D. research programs. In 2024, GECT ranked in the 201-300 band in NIRF rankings. The 2022 placements recorded the highest package at ₹32 LPA and an average package of ₹6.8 LPA.
3. TKM College of Engineering (TKMCE), Kollam
Established in 1958, TKM College of Engineering (TKMCE), is Kerala’s first government-aided autonomous engineering college, affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. Accredited with an NAAC ‘A’ grade, it offers 9 B.Tech programs, 10 M.Tech programs, MCA, and Ph.D. research opportunities. TKMCE achieved the highest package of ₹34 LPA and an average package of ₹5.19 LPA in 2024.
4. Government Model Engineering College (MEC), Kochi
Established in 1989, Government Model Engineering College (MEC), is a government cost-sharing institution under the Institute of Human Resources Development. Affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, it offers 7 undergraduate and 4 postgraduate programs, along with research opportunities. Ranked 2nd among government institutions by The Week, MEC recorded a highest package of ₹53 LPA and a median salary of ₹5.6 LPA in 2024.
5. Mar Athanasius College of Engineering (MACE), Kothamangalam
Founded in 1961, Mar Athanasius College of Engineering (MACE) is a government-aided college located in Kothamangalam, Kerala. It is affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and offers 7 undergraduate, 8 postgraduate, MCA, and Ph.D. programs. In 2023, MACE recorded the highest package of ₹33 LPA and an average package of ₹4 LPA.
6. Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology (RIT), Kottayam
Established in 1991, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology (RIT), is a state-government-owned institution affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. It offers 6 undergraduate programs, architecture, 9 postgraduate programs, and MCA. In 2024, RIT achieved a highest package of ₹10 LPA and an average package of ₹4 LPA.
7. NSS College of Engineering (NSSCE), Palakkad
Established in 1960, NSS College of Engineering (NSSCE) is Kerala’s fourth engineering institution, managed by the Nair Service Society and affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. NSSCE offers 6 B.Tech and 6 M.Tech programs. In 2023, the highest package was ₹10 LPA, with an average package of ₹4.5 LPA.
8. Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering (SCTCE), Thiruvananthapuram
Established in 1995, Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering (SCTCE), is a state government-sponsored college affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. It offers 7 undergraduate, 3 postgraduate programs, and research opportunities. In 2023, SCTCE College achieved a 58% placement rate in 2023, with an average salary of ₹4.5 LPA and a highest package of ₹10 LPA.
9. Government Engineering College Barton Hill (GECB), Thiruvananthapuram
Founded in 1999, Government Engineering College Barton Hill (GECB), is a public engineering college under APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. It offers 5 undergraduate and 8 postgraduate programs. In 2023-2024, the highest package was ₹11.6 LPA, and the average package was ₹4.5 LPA. GECB College’s 2018-2022 batch achieved a remarkable feat, ranking third among all engineering colleges in Kerala in terms of pass percentage as per KTU.
10. Government College of Engineering, Kannur (GCEK)
Established in 1986, Government College of Engineering, Kannur (GCEK), is a public engineering institute affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University. It offers 5 undergraduate and 7 postgraduate programs, along with research opportunities. GCEK College achieved a highest salary package of ₹18.6 LPA in 2023, followed by ₹12.2 LPA in 2024, with an average salary of ₹5 LPA in the latter year.