Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu

33 Tamil Nadu institutions appear in the NIRF 2021 College list, with national ranks, scores and cities. Use the list to explore college profiles and compare options.

Loyola College Chennai leads the Tamil Nadu entries in 2021 at national rank 3 with a score of 69.28.

Tamil Nadu colleges featured across NIRF College editions

These institutions appeared in the available Tamil Nadu lists from 2017 to 2021. Ownership uses our current classification; each entry shows its latest listed year and national rank.

Top Government College colleges in Tamil Nadu

Top Private College colleges in Tamil Nadu

Ownership not confirmed

This page covers published NIRF entries, not every good institution in Tamil Nadu offering programmes in this category. An institution's absence does not mean it is a poor choice. Ranks are national College ranks, not positions within Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu College ranking history

Explore Tamil Nadu institutions in the published NIRF College lists by year. Every rank below is a national category rank, not a position within Tamil Nadu. A lower rank number is better.

Comparisons use the preceding available College edition and the state recorded in each year's list. Newly listed means absent from the previous Tamil Nadu list, not necessarily a first NIRF appearance. Absence does not establish why an institution is missing, and movement alone does not explain changes in quality.

Highlights and changes in 2021

33 Tamil Nadu institutions appear in the 2021 published College list. Loyola College is the highest-ranked Tamil Nadu entry at national rank 3 with a score of 69.28.

View full Tamil Nadu 2021 ranking with scores and college profiles

Major changes from 2020 to 2021

Kongunadu Arts and Science College recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 70 to 36, an improvement of 34 places. Lady Doak College recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 52 to 87. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.

Biggest Tamil Nadu ranking changes from 2020

6
2021 rank Institution 2020 rank Change
36 Kongunadu Arts and Science College 70 ↑ 34 places
59 Dr. N. G. P. Arts and Science College 85 ↑ 26 places
48 Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science 65 ↑ 17 places
87 Lady Doak College 52 ↓ 35 places
56 Scott Christian College 27 ↓ 29 places
67 St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai 50 ↓ 17 places
Changes to the published list — 4 newly listed and 3 no longer listed

Newly present Tamil Nadu institutions in 2021

4
2021 rank Institution Score Status
72 N. G. M. College 52.61 Newly present
84 Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science 51.65 Newly present
98 Government Arts College, Tiruppur 50.49 Newly present
100 Sri Sarada College for Women(Autonomous) 50.35 Newly present

Tamil Nadu institutions not present in 2021

3
2020 rank Institution Status
74 Fatima College Not present in 2021
82 CMS College of Science and Commerce Not present in 2021
90 Mahendra Arts & Science College Not present in 2021

Official NIRF 2021 College ranking opens in a new tab

Tamil Nadu NIRF College rankings 2020

32 Tamil Nadu institutions appear in the 2020 published College list. Presidency College is the highest-ranked Tamil Nadu entry at national rank 5 with a score of 68.89.

Tamil Nadu institutions in NIRF College 2020

32
2020 rank Institution 2019 rank Score
5 Presidency College 3 68.89
6 Loyola College 6 68.03
10 PSGR Krishnammal College for Women 22 66.63
17 Madras Christian College 13 64.36
22 Thiagarajar College 34 61.29

Major changes from 2019 to 2020

Madras School of Social Work recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 65 to 33, an improvement of 32 places. Kongunadu Arts and Science College recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 51 to 70. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.

Biggest Tamil Nadu ranking changes from 2019

6
2020 rank Institution 2019 rank Change
33 Madras School of Social Work 65 ↑ 32 places
52 Lady Doak College 79 ↑ 27 places
29 Sri Krishna Arts and Science College 53 ↑ 24 places
70 Kongunadu Arts and Science College 51 ↓ 19 places
85 Dr. N. G. P. Arts and Science College 67 ↓ 18 places
87 Vellalar College for Women 72 ↓ 15 places
Changes to the published list — 1 newly listed and 4 no longer listed

Newly present Tamil Nadu institutions in 2020

1
2020 rank Institution Score Status
90 Mahendra Arts & Science College 51.14 Newly present

Tamil Nadu institutions not present in 2020

4
2019 rank Institution Status
90 Anna Adarsh College for Women Not present in 2020
91 Justice Basher Ahmed Sayeed College for Women Not present in 2020
97 Sri Meenakshi Government College for Women Not present in 2020
98 Muthurangam Govt. Arts College Not present in 2020

Official NIRF 2020 College ranking opens in a new tab

Tamil Nadu NIRF College rankings 2019

35 Tamil Nadu institutions appear in the 2019 published College list. Presidency College is the highest-ranked Tamil Nadu entry at national rank 3 with a score of 68.01.

Tamil Nadu institutions in NIRF College 2019

35
2019 rank Institution 2018 rank Score
3 Presidency College 5 68.01
6 Loyola College 6 66.31
13 Madras Christian College 10 63.98
17 PSG College of Arts and Science 11 62.42
22 PSGR Krishnammal College for Women 16 59.77

Major changes from 2018 to 2019

Queen Mary`s College recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 77 to 40, an improvement of 37 places. Holy Cross College, Tiruchirappalli recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 42 to 85. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.

Biggest Tamil Nadu ranking changes from 2018

6
2019 rank Institution 2018 rank Change
40 Queen Mary`s College 77 ↑ 37 places
59 Jamal Mohamed College, Tiruchirappalli 83 ↑ 24 places
67 Dr. N. G. P. Arts and Science College 91 ↑ 24 places
85 Holy Cross College, Tiruchirappalli 42 ↓ 43 places
97 Sri Meenakshi Government College for Women 58 ↓ 39 places
94 Fatima College 65 ↓ 29 places
Changes to the published list — 5 newly listed and 7 no longer listed

Newly present Tamil Nadu institutions in 2019

5
2019 rank Institution Score Status
44 Bishop Heber College 53.89 Newly present
77 V.O. Chidambaram College 51.12 Newly present
84 Alagappa Government Arts College, Karaikudi 50.41 Newly present
91 Justice Basher Ahmed Sayeed College for Women 49.81 Newly present
98 Muthurangam Govt. Arts College 49.16 Newly present

Tamil Nadu institutions not present in 2019

7
2018 rank Institution Status
71 Government Arts College, Tiruppur Not present in 2019
74 National College Not present in 2019
85 V. V. Vanniaperumal College for Women Not present in 2019
89 Kongu Arts & Science College Not present in 2019
90 The American College Not present in 2019

Official NIRF 2019 College ranking opens in a new tab

Tamil Nadu NIRF College rankings 2018

37 Tamil Nadu institutions appear in the 2018 published College list. Presidency College is the highest-ranked Tamil Nadu entry at national rank 5 with a score of 66.21.

Tamil Nadu institutions in NIRF College 2018

37
2018 rank Institution 2017 rank Score
5 Presidency College — 66.21
6 Loyola College — 66.06
10 Madras Christian College — 60.74
11 PSG College of Arts and Science — 60.34
16 PSGR Krishnammal College for Women — 59.39

Major changes from 2017 to 2018

Sri Krishna Arts and Science College recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 22 to 64. The table shows up to three biggest rises and three biggest falls. Equal movements are ordered by current rank.

Biggest Tamil Nadu ranking changes from 2017

3
2018 rank Institution 2017 rank Change
64 Sri Krishna Arts and Science College 22 ↓ 42 places
98 Rathinam College of Arts and Science 66 ↓ 32 places
96 Mahendra Arts & Science College 67 ↓ 29 places
Changes to the published list — 33 newly listed and 33 no longer listed

Newly present Tamil Nadu institutions in 2018

33
2018 rank Institution Score Status
5 Presidency College 66.21 Newly present
6 Loyola College 66.06 Newly present
10 Madras Christian College 60.74 Newly present
11 PSG College of Arts and Science 60.34 Newly present
16 PSGR Krishnammal College for Women 59.39 Newly present

Tamil Nadu institutions not present in 2018

33
2017 rank Institution Status
2 Loyola College Not present in 2018
4 Bishop Heber College Not present in 2018
10 The Women's Christian College Not present in 2018
11 P.S.G. College of Arts & Science Not present in 2018
12 Madras Christian College Not present in 2018

Official NIRF 2018 College ranking opens in a new tab

Tamil Nadu NIRF College rankings 2017

37 Tamil Nadu institutions appear in the 2017 published College list. Loyola College is the highest-ranked Tamil Nadu entry at national rank 2 with a score of 68.68.

Tamil Nadu institutions in NIRF College 2017

37
2017 rank Institution Previous rank Score
2 Loyola College — 68.68
4 Bishop Heber College — 61.18
10 The Women's Christian College — 57.37
11 P.S.G. College of Arts & Science — 55.64
12 Madras Christian College — 55.44

This is the earliest available College edition; an earlier-year comparison is unavailable.

Official NIRF 2017 College ranking opens in a new tab

Full College ranking All states Compare colleges

Tamil Nadu College ranking list

Avg score 56.29
Showing 33 colleges Sort: NIRF rank
#InstituteScore
3 Loyola College Chennai Chennai, Tamil Nadu Private 69.28 3
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 6
  • 2019: rank 6
  • 2020: rank 6
  • 2021: rank 3

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Improved by 3 places from #6 in 2018 to #3 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
6 PSGR Krishnammal College for Women Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu Private 67.14 4
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 16
  • 2019: rank 22
  • 2020: rank 10
  • 2021: rank 6

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Improved by 10 places from #16 in 2018 to #6 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
7 Presidency College Chennai Chennai, Tamil Nadu Govt 66.96 2
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 5
  • 2019: rank 3
  • 2020: rank 5
  • 2021: rank 7

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 2 places from #5 in 2018 to #7 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
18 Madras Christian College Chennai Chennai, Tamil Nadu Private 63.90 1
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 10
  • 2019: rank 13
  • 2020: rank 17
  • 2021: rank 18

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 8 places from #10 in 2018 to #18 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
19 PSG College of Arts and Science Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu Private 62.93 6
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 11
  • 2019: rank 17
  • 2020: rank 25
  • 2021: rank 19

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 8 places from #11 in 2018 to #19 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
23 Thiagarajar College Madurai, Tamil Nadu Private 60.61 1
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 44
  • 2019: rank 34
  • 2020: rank 22
  • 2021: rank 23

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Improved by 21 places from #44 in 2018 to #23 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
27 Sri Krishna Arts and Science College Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu Private 59.09 2
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: rank 22
  • 2018: rank 64
  • 2019: rank 53
  • 2020: rank 29
  • 2021: rank 27

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 5 places from #22 in 2017 to #27 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
27 St. Joseph's College Tiruchirappalli Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu Private 59.09 4
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 28
  • 2019: rank 39
  • 2020: rank 31
  • 2021: rank 27

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Improved by 1 places from #28 in 2018 to #27 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
30 Madras School of Social Work Chennai, Tamil Nadu Private 58.59 3
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 49
  • 2019: rank 65
  • 2020: rank 33
  • 2021: rank 30

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Improved by 19 places from #49 in 2018 to #30 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
36 Kongunadu Arts & Science College Coimbatore Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu Private 57.30 34
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 67
  • 2019: rank 51
  • 2020: rank 70
  • 2021: rank 36

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Improved by 31 places from #67 in 2018 to #36 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
40 Women's Christian College Chennai Chennai, Tamil Nadu Private 56.18 2
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 22
  • 2019: rank 32
  • 2020: rank 38
  • 2021: rank 40

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 18 places from #22 in 2018 to #40 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
42 Government Arts College Coimbatore Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu Govt 56.05 8
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 33
  • 2019: rank 33
  • 2020: rank 34
  • 2021: rank 42

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 9 places from #33 in 2018 to #42 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
43 Bishop Heber College Tiruchirappalli Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu Private 55.97 4
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: not ranked
  • 2019: rank 44
  • 2020: rank 39
  • 2021: rank 43

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Improved by 1 places from #44 in 2019 to #43 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
47 VHNSNC Virudhunagar Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu Private 55.49 6
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 51
  • 2019: rank 63
  • 2020: rank 53
  • 2021: rank 47

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Improved by 4 places from #51 in 2018 to #47 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
48 SRMVCAS Coimbatore Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu Private 55.16 17
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 39
  • 2019: rank 59
  • 2020: rank 65
  • 2021: rank 48

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 9 places from #39 in 2018 to #48 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
49 Holy Cross College Tiruchirappalli Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu Private 55.09 17
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 42
  • 2019: rank 85
  • 2020: rank 66
  • 2021: rank 49

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 7 places from #42 in 2018 to #49 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
51 Ethiraj College for Women Chennai, Tamil Nadu Private 54.77 5
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: rank 16
  • 2018: rank 38
  • 2019: rank 36
  • 2020: rank 46
  • 2021: rank 51

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 35 places from #16 in 2017 to #51 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
54 V.O. Chidambaram College Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu Private 54.61 14
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: not ranked
  • 2019: rank 77
  • 2020: rank 68
  • 2021: rank 54

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Improved by 23 places from #77 in 2019 to #54 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
55 Queen Mary's College Chennai, Tamil Nadu 54.58 14
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 77
  • 2019: rank 40
  • 2020: rank 41
  • 2021: rank 55

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Improved by 22 places from #77 in 2018 to #55 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
56 Scott Christian College Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu Private 54.48 29
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 37
  • 2019: rank 30
  • 2020: rank 27
  • 2021: rank 56

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 19 places from #37 in 2018 to #56 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
58 Stella Maris College Chennai, Tamil Nadu Private 54.27 6
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 30
  • 2019: rank 58
  • 2020: rank 64
  • 2021: rank 58

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 28 places from #30 in 2018 to #58 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
59 Dr. N. G. P. Arts and Science College Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu Private 54.15 26
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 91
  • 2019: rank 67
  • 2020: rank 85
  • 2021: rank 59

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Improved by 32 places from #91 in 2018 to #59 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
65 Jamal Mohamed College Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu Private 53.55 11
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 83
  • 2019: rank 59
  • 2020: rank 54
  • 2021: rank 65

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Improved by 18 places from #83 in 2018 to #65 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
66 Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College Sivakasi Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu Private 53.42 8
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 47
  • 2019: rank 51
  • 2020: rank 58
  • 2021: rank 66

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 19 places from #47 in 2018 to #66 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
67 St.Xavier's College Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu Private 53.22 17
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 54
  • 2019: rank 74
  • 2020: rank 50
  • 2021: rank 67

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 13 places from #54 in 2018 to #67 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
72 N. G. M. College Pollachi, Tamil Nadu Govt 52.61 NEW
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: not ranked
  • 2019: not ranked
  • 2020: not ranked
  • 2021: rank 72

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Ranked #72 in both 2021 and 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
75 Alagappa Government Arts College Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu Govt 52.27 5
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: not ranked
  • 2019: rank 84
  • 2020: rank 80
  • 2021: rank 75

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Improved by 9 places from #84 in 2019 to #75 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
82 Vellalar College for Women Erode, Tamil Nadu Private 51.84 5
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 57
  • 2019: rank 72
  • 2020: rank 87
  • 2021: rank 82

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 25 places from #57 in 2018 to #82 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
84 Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu Private 51.65 NEW
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: not ranked
  • 2019: not ranked
  • 2020: not ranked
  • 2021: rank 84

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Ranked #84 in both 2021 and 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
87 Lady Doak College Madurai, Tamil Nadu Private 51.38 35
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 81
  • 2019: rank 79
  • 2020: rank 52
  • 2021: rank 87

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 6 places from #81 in 2018 to #87 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
91 Women's Christian College Nagercoil Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu Private 51.22 13
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 70
  • 2019: rank 81
  • 2020: rank 78
  • 2021: rank 91

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 21 places from #70 in 2018 to #91 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
98 Government Arts College Udumalpet Udumalpet, Tamil Nadu Govt 50.49 27
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: rank 71
  • 2019: not ranked
  • 2020: not ranked
  • 2021: rank 98

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Moved down 27 places from #71 in 2018 to #98 in 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile
100 Sri Sarada College for Women Salem, Tamil Nadu Private 50.35 NEW
NIRF Rank Trend (College)
  • 2017: not ranked
  • 2018: not ranked
  • 2019: not ranked
  • 2020: not ranked
  • 2021: rank 100

Lower rank is better.

Highlights

Ranked #100 in both 2021 and 2021.

Consistently ranked among India's top college institutions.

Compare with another college View college profile

Data source: NIRF, Ministry of Education, Government of India. Ownership labels apply only to institutions classified in the NIRFRank database.

Tamil Nadu ranking questions

Which is the top College college in Tamil Nadu as per NIRF 2021?

Loyola College Chennai is the top Tamil Nadu entry, ranked #3 with a score of 69.28.

Does this include private colleges?

Yes. Private and government labels appear when the institution is resolved in NIRFRank's curated registry.

How many Tamil Nadu colleges are in the NIRF 2021 list?

33 ranked colleges are shown across 14 cities in this state.

What does the rank trend inside each row show?

Open any row to see that college's NIRF College rank across the latest available editions.