Top 10 institutes for most popular undergraduate courses 2024-25

The annual EducationWorld India Higher Education Rankings provide comprehensive league tables ranking the country’s Top 500 arts, science and commerce colleges, Top 100 private engineering colleges, Top 300 government and private universities in 15 discrete categories, and Top 100 private B-schools. However, these are all-inclusive rankings rating the most well-reputed higher ed institutions across several subject study programmes.

In 2021, in response to public feedback and demand for rankings of education institutions by popular professional undergraduate programmes, EducationWorld introduced rankings of Top 10 higher ed institutions that provide the most popular bachelor’s degree programmes.

In EWIHER 2024-45, to rate and rank colleges and universities offering most favoured undergrad study programmes, EducationWorld used secondary data sources, and published reports to shortlist ten most popular undergrad courses and colleges offering them. The most preferred undergraduate programmes are: B.Com (banking and finance); bachelor of management studies (BMS)/bachelor of business administration (BBA); B.Arch (bachelor of architecture); BA-LLB (bachelor of law); B.Sc (nursing); B.Tech/BE (biotechnology); B.Tech (data science); B.Tech/BE (computer science); B.Sc (agriculture); BJMC (bachelor of journalism & mass communication). Please note in the streams of computer science, data science and biotechnology, only private higher institutions are ranked.

To conduct this survey, AZ Research Partners Pvt. Ltd personnel interviewed 2,100 higher education faculty, students and industry representatives to rate the Top 10 undergrad colleges under six-nine parameters of higher education excellence.

In the following pages, we present league tables ranking India’s Top 10 colleges providing the most popular undergrad study programmes.

BA.LLB (Bachelor of arts-bachelor of legislative law)

B.Tech/BE (computer science)

“We are very pleased that our B.Tech program in computer science is ranked most popular for the third year in a row. Our excellent faculty, curriculum and pedagogy, and infrastructure is reflected in our high scores under these parameters. Our flexible, well-rounded, research-driven curriculum encourages peer-learning and learning-by-doing, and even our undergraduate students work on research projects. Starting this year, we will be awarding credits to students working in summer months on ongoing research projects. We have also created a Division for Flexible Learning to coordinate and deliver online and flexible programmes. Moreover, IIIT-H is launching a new integrated program that combines B.Tech in computer science with a Master of science in geospatial informatics by research” — Prof. Kishore Kothapalli, Dean (Academics) and Dr. Suresh Purini, Head, Computer Systems Group, Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT)-Hyderabad

“We are thrilled that our BE (computer science) programme is ranked among India’s Top 5. There’s growing awareness countrywide of RVCE’s sharp focus on experiential learning and skill development. Moreover as our high score on the parameter of infrastructure shows, we provide state-of-the-art academic facilities and research labs. In the recent past, 27 Centres of Excellence in niche disciplines including macroelectronics, Internet of Things, computational genomics and robotics and automation, among others, have been established. It is this focus on extending opportunities to learn newest technologies that is behind our higher rank this year” — Prof. K.N. Subramanya, Principal, RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru

B.Arch (Bachelor of architecture)

“This is wonderful news. Since 1913, this college has consistently excelled and enhanced its brand and reputation. Recently, Sir JJ College was conferred deemed university status by the Union education ministry. Over the years, we have transformed into a thoroughly modern school of architecture science with computerised learning programmes, highly qualified faculty, and enabling infrastructure. As a result, our placements are always 100 percent confirmed even before graduation. Most important, I want to emphasise that our tuition fee is highly affordable — a mere Rs.8,000 per year. This affordable fee structure gives an opportunity to all meritorious and deserving students to qualify as architects” — Prof. Rajiv Mishra (centre), Principal, Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai

BJMC (bachelor of journalism/ mass communication)

“It’s a huge honour that our young university has retained its #4 national rank for the bachelor of journalism/mass communication degree programme. Our high-quality faculty brings expertise in traditional journalism as well as digital media. This combined with our experiential learning curriculum which integrates latest digital technologies and internships prepares students to hit the ground running. Moreover, our strong industry connections and dedicated placement cell ensure rewarding job opportunities for students. The department of media studies has also forged strategic collaborations with several foreign universities, offering internships and exchange programmes for our students and faculty” — Dr. Padmakumar M.M, Head, Department of Media Studies, Christ University, Bengaluru

B.Tech/BE (data science)

“Our B.Tech programme in data science is becoming increasingly popular because of awareness of our expert faculty and dedicated students. Because of our parent company’s success, the curriculum is industry-relevant covering a wide spectrum of AI and data science topics and integrates interdisciplinary experiential learning. Therefore, our graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving IT industry and job market. Moreover as reflected in our high score under the parameter of infrastructure, we provide an excellent learning environment in state-of-the-art language, computer science and Internet of Things labs. I’m glad there’s growing recognition of NIIT University’s stimulating environment for deep learning and research” — Prof. Prakash Gopalan (centre right), President, NIIT University, Neemrana

B.Tech (biotechnology/ biomedical engineering)

“We are delighted that Manipal Institute of Technology has again been ranked India #1 for its B.Tech in biotechnology/biomedical engineering. Credit for this achievement must accrue to our excellent faculty, IT-enabled curriculum and pedagogies incorporating cutting-edge technologies and well-equipped laboratories. This is reflected in our high scores under the parameters of faculty competence, infrastructure and curriculum and pedagogy. Our highest score for placements is also gratifying and justified because our graduates are placed in top companies such as Biocon, PharmaACE, Bosch Healthcare, etc. Others pursue postgrad programmes in premier foreign universities such as Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, Northeastern universities” — Dr. (Cdr) Anil Rana, Director, Manipal Institute of Technology, MAHE

B.Com (banking and finance)

“We are exhilarated that SRCC is consistently ranked India #1 in the EW survey for our B.Com (banking and finance) programme. High-quality faculty, state-of-the-art infrastructure and democratic governance make SRCC the preferred option for students. Therefore, the highest scores under the parameters of faculty competence and placements awarded to SRCC are especially satisfying. Our faculty doesn’t just teach students, it also trains RBI staff and officers of the Union ministry of corporate affairs and consumer affairs. Our students are placed in top corporates with the highest annual package last year of Rs.32-35 lakh. They succeed not just within classrooms but also in the outside world” — Prof. Simrit Kaur, Principal, Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi

B.Sc (agriculture)

“It’s a matter of great pride that Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is ranked India #1 for its B.Sc (Hons) agriculture degree programme for the third year consecutively with highest scores under the important parameters of faculty competence, curriculum and pedagogy, research & innovation. Over the past century, PAU has developed into one of the country’s premier agricultural institutions with our highly qualified and competent faculty delivering curricula aligned with global best agricultural practices. Excellent faculty and curriculums are supported by state-of-the-art Smart classrooms, laboratories and 13 well-equipped Experiential Learning units which inculcate entrepreneurial skills among our students. The defining feature of PAU is that practical classes and on-field training take precedence over theoretical classroom learning” — Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal (centre right), Vice Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana

B.Sc (Bachelor of nursing)

“We are proud to learn that our Bachelor of Nursing programme is ranked India #1 for the second consecutive year by EducationWorld. I credit this milestone achievement to unwavering support from the management, competent faculty, outcomes-based curriculum, and 1:10 faculty-student ratio. It’s noteworthy that 50 percent of our faculty have Ph D degrees, and are actively engaged in research and innovation. In 2023, 44 of our faculty publications were cited in the Scopus Index and currently our doctoral scholars are engaged in 27 research projects. That’s why I’m not surprised your sample respondents have awarded us highest scores for faculty competence and curriculum and pedagogy” — Dr. Judith Angelitta Noronha, Dean, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Academy of Higher Education

BBA/BMS (Bachelor of business administration/management studies)

“With our unique curriculum and pedagogy, cutting-edge infrastructure, research-oriented assignments and projects, record placements and highly trained and qualified faculty, we expected and deserve to be ranked India #1 rather than #3. It’s common knowledge in India’s commercial capital that NMIMS offers students growth and innovation. Starting this year, we will be introducing an innovative BBA (FinTech) program. Moreover, NEP 2020 recommendations are being implemented across all undergraduate programs including BBA degree” — Prof. Sangita Kher (centre), Dean, Anil Surendra Modi School of Commerce, NMIMS University, Mumbai.