Chandigarh, the capital of both Punjab and Haryana, is not only a symbol of architectural brilliance but also an emerging hub for higher education in North India. Known for its well-planned infrastructure and peaceful environment, the city offers top-notch engineering colleges that attract students from across the country. In this article, we’ll explore the top engineering colleges in Chandigarh, their fee structure, cutoff details, and placement opportunities to help you make an informed decision.
1. Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh
- Type: Government / Deemed University
- Established: 1921
- Entrance Exam: JEE Main + JoSAA Counseling
- Courses: B.Tech in CSE, ECE, Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace, etc.
- Annual Fees: ₹1,56,000
- Cutoff (2024 – General):
- CSE: 96–98 percentile
- ECE: 93–95 percentile
- Mechanical: 88–90 percentile
- Average Package: ₹12.5 LPA (CSE)
- Highest Package: ₹64 LPA
- Top Recruiters: Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Deloitte, Infosys
PEC is one of the oldest and most prestigious engineering institutions in North India with a legacy of producing top engineers and scientists.
2. University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), Panjab University
- Type: Public/Government
- Established: 2002
- Affiliated to: Panjab University
- Entrance Exam: JEE Main + JoSAA / Chandigarh Engineering Counseling
- Courses Offered: CSE, ECE, IT, Biotechnology, ME
- Annual Fees: ₹85,000
- Cutoff (JEE Main Percentile):
- CSE: 92–95
- IT: 90–93
- ME: 85–88
- Average Package: ₹5.8 LPA
- Top Recruiters: Infosys, TCS, ZS Associates, Accenture, HCL
UIET is a highly sought-after government college under Panjab University known for academic excellence and affordability.
3. Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology (CCET)
- Type: Government (Under Chandigarh Administration)
- Established: 2002
- Courses: B.Tech in Civil, Mechanical, ECE, CSE
- Entrance Exam: JEE Main + Chandigarh Engineering Counseling
- Annual Fees: ₹70,000
- Cutoff (Percentile):
- CSE: 88–92
- Mechanical: 80–85
- Average Package: ₹4.5 LPA
- Top Recruiters: Infosys, Capgemini, Byju’s, Cognizant
CCET is a good option for those looking for budget-friendly engineering education with decent placements.
4. Chitkara University, Chandigarh Campus (Rajpura)
- Type: Private University
- Established: 2010
- Entrance: JEE Main / CU Entrance / Direct Admission
- Courses: CSE, AI & ML, Mechatronics, Civil, ECE
- Annual Fees: ₹1,90,000
- Cutoff: 60% marks in 12th with PCM or JEE score
- Average Package: ₹6.0 LPA
- Top Recruiters: Infosys, Wipro, Amazon, Accenture, SAP Labs
Chitkara University is well-known for its modern curriculum, global collaborations, and strong industry connections.
5. Lovely Professional University (LPU), Jalandhar (Nearby Option)
While not in Chandigarh city, LPU is a top private university located within 2.5 hours’ drive and is chosen by many students from the region.
- Type: Private University
- Courses: B.Tech in CSE, Data Science, IT, Civil, Mechanical
- Entrance: LPUNEST / JEE Main
- Annual Fees: ₹1,80,000
- Cutoff: 60% in PCM (for scholarships – LPUNEST rank needed)
- Average Package: ₹5.5 LPA
- Top Recruiters: Cognizant, Wipro, Amazon, Capgemini, Bosch
LPU is known for excellent placement support, scholarship schemes, and campus life.
6. Rayat Bahra University, Mohali
- Type: Private
- Established: 2014
- Courses: B.Tech in CSE, Civil, Mechanical, AI, ECE
- Entrance Exam: JEE Main / Direct Admission
- Annual Fees: ₹1,25,000
- Cutoff: 50% in PCM or JEE Main rank
- Average Package: ₹4.0 LPA
- Top Recruiters: Infosys, Dell, Mahindra, TCS
Rayat Bahra is known for skill-based programs, good infrastructure, and collaborative learning modules.
Cutoff Comparison (JEE Main Percentile)
| College | CSE Cutoff | Other Branches | Fee (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEC Chandigarh | 96–98 | 88–95 | ₹1.56 lakh |
| UIET PU | 92–95 | 85–90 | ₹85,000 |
| CCET | 88–92 | 80–85 | ₹70,000 |
| Chitkara Univ | Direct / JEE | 60% PCM | ₹1.9 lakh |
| LPU | LPUNEST / 60% PCM | 50–60% | ₹1.8 lakh |
| Rayat Bahra | 50–60% PCM | 50–55% | ₹1.25 lakh |
Placement Overview (2024–25)
Despite being a small city, Chandigarh has a high employment index due to the presence of many IT companies, startups, and industrial clusters nearby. Colleges here focus heavily on skill-building, internships, and placement training.
Top Companies Hiring Engineers in Chandigarh:
- Infosys
- TCS
- Wipro
- Capgemini
- Amazon
- ZS Associates
- HCL Technologies
- Deloitte
Admission Process
1. JEE Main
Most government and top-tier private colleges in Chandigarh consider JEE Main scores. Based on the percentile, students can get admission through:
- JoSAA Counseling (for PEC)
- Chandigarh Engineering Counseling (for UIET and CCET)
2. University-Level Exams / Direct Admission
Private universities such as Chitkara and Rayat Bahra also allow direct admission based on 12th scores. LPUNEST is conducted by LPU for scholarship-based entry.
Why Choose Chandigarh for Engineering?
- Safe and Clean City: Ranked as one of India’s cleanest cities
- Affordable Living: Reasonable hostel and PG options
- Academic Excellence: Presence of reputed institutions like PEC, UIET
- Industrial Exposure: Nearby IT Park and industrial areas offer internships
- Connectivity: Well connected to Delhi, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh
FAQs
❓ Which is the No.1 engineering college in Chandigarh?
Punjab Engineering College (PEC) is the top-ranked college with excellent placements and academic standards.
❓ Is UIET better than private universities?
Yes. UIET offers better value with low fees and strong placement records, especially in CSE and ECE.
❓ Can I get admission to a Chandigarh engineering college without JEE?
Yes. Private universities like Chitkara, LPU, and Rayat Bahra offer direct admission based on 12th marks or their entrance exams.
❓ What is the average package in PEC Chandigarh?
The average package for the CSE branch at PEC is around ₹12.5 LPA, with top packages reaching ₹60+ LPA.
Conclusion
Whether you’re targeting a government college like PEC Chandigarh or a modern private university like Chitkara, the city offers a variety of options based on academic performance, budget, and career goals. With strong placement support, strategic location, and academic diversity, Chandigarh remains a top destination for B.Tech aspirants in North India.
Make sure to consider factors like cutoff trends, specialization availability, industry exposure, and alumni network before finalizing your admission.
- University Institute of Engineering & Technology, Chandigarh
- University Institute of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Chandigarh
- Chandigarh Engineering College, Mohali
- Chitkara University, Chandigarh
- Aryans College of Engineering, Chandigarh
- PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh
- Indo Global College of Engineering, Mohali
- Chandigarh University
- Sachdeva Engineering College for Girls, Chandigarh
- Swami Parmanand College of Engineering and Technology, Chandigarh
- Rayat & Bahra Institute of Engineering and Biotechnology, Chandigarh