Looking for the top Architecture colleges in India in 2026? India has over 47+ architecture colleges. Top government institutes include SPA Delhi, TSAP, School of Planning and Architecture, North Calcutta Polytechnic College , and leading private universities are Ideas Institute of Design Education and Architecture Studies, Balwant Sheth School of Architecture, Tulsiramji Gaikwad-Patil College of Engineering and Technology, Piloo Mody College of Architecture, Rizvi College of Architecture . These colleges offer B.Arch, M.Arch and other architecture programs. Admissions to these colleges are primarily conducted through exams such as NATA .
When selecting the best architecture colleges in India, students should consider factors such as NIRF rankings, placement records, return on investment (ROI), location, faculty, and specializations. This guide highlights the top-ranked architecture colleges in India 2026 providing all key details on fees, placements, and entrance exams to help students make an informed choice.
Top Architecture Colleges in India 2026: Key Highlights
| Metric | Details |
| Total Colleges in India | 47+ |
| Top Exams Accepted | NATA |
| Ownership | ~90% Private, ~10% Government |
| Top Recruiters | Infosys, Cognizant, HCL, Wipro, Accenture |
| Average Fees | ₹ 1.8 K - ₹ 41.35 L |
| Average Placement | ₹ 2.50 L |
Top Architecture Colleges in India by Rankings 2026
The NIRF 2025 is the most trusted ranking for architecture colleges in India, evaluating institutes on teaching, research, graduation outcomes, outreach, and perception. Below are the top 10 architecture colleges in India 2026 as per NIRF.
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| SPA Delhi | 8 | 5 | 5 |
Other Ranking Agencies
Different media houses and education platforms release their own rankings every year besides NIRF. These rankings consider parameters like academic reputation, placements, infrastructure, research, and student perception. Below are the top architecture colleges in India 2026 as per various agencies.
India Today Rankings (2025, 2024, 2023)
| College | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| Ideas Institute of Design Education and Architecture Studies | 50 | 39 | 39 |
| SPA Delhi | 12 | 2 | 2 |
Government vs Private Architecture Colleges in India 2026
Architecture aspirants in India can choose between government-funded institutes known for their affordability and high ROI, and private universities that offer modern infrastructure, global exposure, and multiple entrance options. The comparison below will help you determine which path best aligns with your academic and career goals.
Top Government Architecture Colleges in India 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams |
| SPA Delhi | ₹ 83.5 K - ₹ 5.45 L | - |
| TSAP | ₹ 6.77 L | NATA |
| School of Planning and Architecture | ₹ 2.20 L - ₹ 7.46 L | NATA |
| North Calcutta Polytechnic College | ₹ 1.8 K | - |
Top Private Architecture Colleges in India 2026
| College | Avg Annual Fees (Total) | Entrance Exams |
| Ideas Institute of Design Education and Architecture Studies | ₹ 97.3 K - ₹ 4.66 L | NATA |
| Balwant Sheth School of Architecture | ₹ 16.32 L - ₹ 41.35 L | NATA |
| Tulsiramji Gaikwad-Patil College of Engineering and Technology | ₹ 5.97 L | NATA |
| Piloo Mody College of Architecture | - | NATA |
| Rizvi College of Architecture | ₹ 1.49 L - ₹ 5.45 L | NATA |
Top Trending Courses in Architecture 2026
Architecture in India offers a wide range of courses to match industry demand and student interest. The most popular fields include Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) , Diploma in Architecture , Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) . The table below highlights the top courses, their leading colleges, entrance exams, average fees, and placement packages.
| Course | Top Colleges | Entrance Exams | Average Fees (Total) | Average Package |
| Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) | Ideas Institute of Design Education and Architecture Studies, Balwant Sheth School of Architecture, Tulsiramji Gaikwad-Patil College of Engineering and Technology, SPA Delhi, Piloo Mody College of Architecture | NATA | ₹ 2.75 L - ₹ 41.35 L | ₹ 2.50 L |
| Diploma in Architecture | Ideas Institute of Design Education and Architecture Studies, Tulsiramji Gaikwad-Patil College of Engineering and Technology, Rizvi College of Architecture, Mahathwada Mitramandal's College of Architecture, Mangalam School of Architecture, Kottayam | - | ₹ 1.8 K | - |
| Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) | Balwant Sheth School of Architecture, BMS School of Architecture, MEASI Academy of Architecture, MARG Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi (MIDAS), Maharishi Markandeshwar University Sadopur | - | ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 16.32 L | - |
| M.Arch. in Urban Design | Rizvi College of Architecture, BMS School of Architecture, Guwahati College of Architecture and Planning, Vivekanand Education Society's College of Architecture, Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies | - | ₹ 1.00 L - ₹ 3.97 L | - |
| M.Arch. in Landscape Architecture | SPA Delhi, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Vivekanand Education Society's College of Architecture, BNCA | - | ₹ 2.20 L - ₹ 2.77 L | - |
| M.Arch. in Architectural Conservation | SPA Delhi, Mohamed Sathak A.J. Academy of Architecture | - | ₹ 2.77 L | - |
| M.Arch in Urban Design | SPA Delhi, SMMCA | - | ₹ 75.0 K - ₹ 2.77 L | - |
| Bachelor of Planning (B.Plan.) | Shantaben Manubhai Patel School of Studies and Research in Architecture and Interior Design, Sir M.V. School of Architecture | NATA | ₹ 2.40 L - ₹ 4.17 L | - |
| Bachelor of Planning | SPA Delhi | NATA | ₹ 5.45 L | - |
| Ph.D. in Architecture | SPA Delhi | - | ₹ 83.5 K | - |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Top Architecture Colleges in India 2026
Admission to the top Architecture colleges in India is primarily determined through national, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams.
| Exam | Top Accepting Colleges |
| NATA | NITs, Ideas Institute of Design Education and Architecture Studies, Balwant Sheth School of Architecture, Tulsiramji Gaikwad-Patil College of Engineering and Technology |
State-wise & City-wise Top Architecture Colleges in India 2026
Architecture education in India varies by state and city, with some regions offering better institutions, private universities, and placement opportunities. Use the list below to explore the top Architecture colleges by state and city.
Top States for Architecture Colleges in India 2026
Top Architecture Colleges in Maharashtra
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams | Avg Fees (Total) | Avg Package |
| Ideas Institute of Design Education and Architecture Studies | Private | NATA | ₹ 97.3 K - ₹ 4.66 L | - |
| Rizvi College of Architecture | Private | NATA | ₹ 1.49 L - ₹ 5.45 L | - |
| Tulsiramji Gaikwad-Patil College of Engineering and Technology | Private | NATA | ₹ 1.83 L - ₹ 5.97 L | ₹ 3.00 L - ₹ 3.80 L |
| Balwant Sheth School of Architecture | Private | NATA | ₹ 16.32 L - ₹ 41.35 L | - |
| SEA | Private | - | - | - |
Top Architecture Colleges in Karnataka
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams | Avg Fees (Total) |
| NITTE Institute of Architecture | Private | NATA | ₹ 17.00 L |
| BGSAP | Private | NATA | ₹ 4.83 L |
| BMS School of Architecture | Private | NATA | ₹ 1.37 L - ₹ 4.83 L |
| WCFA | Other | NATA | ₹ 4.83 L |
| Aditya Academy of Architecture and Design | Private | NATA | - |
Top Architecture Colleges in Tamil Nadu
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams | Avg Fees (Total) |
| MARG Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi (MIDAS) | Private | NATA | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 5.00 L |
| MEASI Academy of Architecture | Private | NATA | ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 2.50 L |
| San Academy of Architecture | Private | NATA | - |
| Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute | Private | - | ₹ 96.0 K - ₹ 1.95 Cr |
| Aalim Muhammed Salegh Academy of Architecture | Private | NATA | - |
Top Architecture Colleges in Kerala
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams | Avg Fees (Total) |
| Global Institute Of Architecture , Palakkad | Other | NATA | ₹ 5.63 L |
| Mangalam School of Architecture, Kottayam | Other | NATA | ₹ 5.63 L |
| Talent Institute of Architecture | Other | NATA | - |
| CAT Kerala | Other | NATA | ₹ 2.75 L |
| Seed | Private Institute | - | - |
Top Architecture Colleges in Gujarat
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams | Avg Fees (Total) |
| Indubhai Parekh School of Architecture | Private | NATA | ₹ 6.45 L |
| Kalol Institute of Architecture and Design | Other | NATA | - |
| Shantaben Manubhai Patel School of Studies and Research in Architecture and Interior Design | Private | NATA | ₹ 1.20 L - ₹ 4.50 L |
| Arvindbhai Patel Institute of Environmental Design | Private | NATA | - |
Top Cities for Architecture Colleges in India 2026
Top Architecture Colleges in Mumbai
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams | Avg Fees (Total) | Avg Package |
| Rizvi College of Architecture | Private | NATA | ₹ 1.49 L - ₹ 5.45 L | - |
| Sir JJ College of Architecture | Public-Private | NATA | - | - |
| Vivekanand Education Society's College of Architecture | Private | NATA | ₹ 6.88 L | ₹ 2.50 L |
| Balwant Sheth School of Architecture | Private | NATA | ₹ 16.32 L - ₹ 41.35 L | - |
| SEA | Private | - | - | - |
Top Architecture Colleges in Bangalore
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams | Avg Fees (Total) |
| BGSAP | Private | NATA | ₹ 4.83 L |
| BMS College of Architecture | Private | NATA | - |
| BMS School of Architecture | Private | NATA | ₹ 1.37 L - ₹ 4.83 L |
| Aditya Academy of Architecture and Design | Private | NATA | - |
| Nitte School of Architecture | Private | NATA | - |
Top Architecture Colleges in Chennai
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams | Avg Fees (Total) |
| MARG Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi (MIDAS) | Private | NATA | ₹ 2.00 L - ₹ 5.00 L |
| MEASI Academy of Architecture | Private | NATA | ₹ 50.0 K - ₹ 2.50 L |
| Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute | Private | - | ₹ 96.0 K - ₹ 1.95 Cr |
| Aalim Muhammed Salegh Academy of Architecture | Private | NATA | - |
| Centre for Research | Public/Government | - | - |
Top Architecture Colleges in Pune
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams | Avg Fees (Total) |
| Mahathwada Mitramandal's College of Architecture | Private | NATA | ₹ 6.43 L |
| MMIED Pune | Other | - | ₹ 4.98 L |
| College of Architecture | Private | NATA | - |
| Anantrao Pawar College of Architecture | Private | NATA | - |
| College of Architecture | Private | NATA | - |
Top Architecture Colleges in Nagpur
| College | Ownership | Entrance Exams | Avg Fees (Total) | Avg Package |
| Ideas Institute of Design Education and Architecture Studies | Private | NATA | ₹ 97.3 K - ₹ 4.66 L | - |
| PIADS | Private | NATA | - | - |
| SMMCA | Private | NATA | ₹ 75.0 K - ₹ 3.13 L | - |
| Tulsiramji Gaikwad-Patil College of Engineering and Technology | Private | NATA | ₹ 1.83 L - ₹ 5.97 L | ₹ 3.00 L - ₹ 3.80 L |
| Symbiosis SPAD Nagpur | Private | NATA | ₹ 20.70 L - ₹ 26.89 L | - |
FAQ About Architecture Colleges in India 2026
Which is the No.1 architecture college in India?
According to NIRF 2026, the No.1 architecture college in India is SPA Delhi , followed by TSAP and School of Planning and Architecture .
Which entrance exam is required for architecture ?
For admission to top architecture colleges in India, students primarily need to appear for NATA .
What is the average architecture fee in India?
The average fees range from ₹ 1.8 K - ₹ 41.35 L per year. Government colleges typically charge ₹ 83.5 K - ₹ 5.45 L per year, while private colleges may charge ₹ 97.3 K - ₹ 4.66 L per year.
Which private architecture college has the best placements?
Among private institutions, Ideas Institute of Design Education and Architecture Studies and Balwant Sheth School of Architecture and Tulsiramji Gaikwad-Patil College of Engineering and Technology have the strongest placement records.