Which is the top University college in Tamil Nadu as per NIRF 2020?
Amrita is the top Tamil Nadu entry, ranked #4 with a score of 62.27.
18 Tamil Nadu institutions appear in the NIRF 2020 University list, with national ranks, scores and cities. Use the list to explore college profiles and compare options.
Amrita leads the Tamil Nadu entries in 2020 at national rank 4 with a score of 62.27.
Tamil Nadu colleges featured across NIRF University editions
These institutions appeared in the available Tamil Nadu lists from 2016 to 2020. Ownership uses our current classification; each entry shows its latest listed year and national rank.
Top Government University colleges in Tamil Nadu
- Anna University 2020 · National rank 12 · Listed this year
- Bharathiar University 2020 · National rank 13 · Listed this year
- Alagappa University 2020 · National rank 36 · Listed this year
- Bharathidasan University 2020 · National rank 53 · Listed this year
- Madurai Kamaraj University 2020 · National rank 60 · Listed this year
- Periyar University 2020 · National rank 83 · Listed this year
- The Gandhigram Rural Institute 2020 · National rank 91 · Listed this year
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University 2019 · National rank 44 · Historical entry
- Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University 2019 · National rank 70 · Historical entry
- Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli 2019 · National rank 93 · Historical entry
- Annamalai University 2017 · National rank 56 · Historical entry
- Tamilnadu Agricultural University 2016 · National rank 40 · Historical entry
- Central University Of Tamil Nadu-Tiruvarur 2016 · National rank 67 · Historical entry
Top Private University colleges in Tamil Nadu
- Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham 2020 · National rank 4 · Listed this year
- Vellore Institute of Technology 2020 · National rank 16 · Listed this year
- Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy 2020 · National rank 25 · Listed this year
- Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research 2020 · National rank 28 · Listed this year
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology 2020 · National rank 35 · Listed this year
- Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology 2020 · National rank 39 · Listed this year
- Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences 2020 · National rank 42 · Listed this year
- Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research 2020 · National rank 59 · Listed this year
- Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education 2020 · National rank 72 · Listed this year
- Chettinad Academy of Research and Education 2020 · National rank 98 · Listed this year
- Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences 2019 · National rank 92 · Historical entry
- Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research 2019 · National rank 100 · Historical entry
- Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R & D Institute of Science and Technology 2017 · National rank 65 · Historical entry
- Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences-Coimbatore 2017 · National rank 71 · Historical entry
- Karpagam Academy of Higher Education 2017 · National rank 90 · Historical entry
- B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology 2017 · National rank 100 · Historical entry
- Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham-Coimbatore 2016 · National rank 14 · Historical entry
- Noorul Islam Centre For Higher Education -Kanyakumari 2016 · National rank 75 · Historical entry
Ownership not confirmed
- University of Madras 2020 · National rank 22 · Listed this year
- Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) 2017 · National rank 32 · Historical entry
- Sri Ramachandra University 2017 · National rank 39 · Historical entry
- The Gandhigram Rural Institute - Deemed University 2017 · National rank 91 · Historical entry
- Tamilnadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University 2016 · National rank 36 · Historical entry
- Chettinad Academy Of Research And Education (Care) 2016 · National rank 100 · Historical entry
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 University ranks, not positions within Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu University ranking history
Explore Tamil Nadu institutions in the published NIRF University 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 University 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 2020
18 Tamil Nadu institutions appear in the 2020 published University list. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is the highest-ranked Tamil Nadu entry at national rank 4 with a score of 62.27.
View full Tamil Nadu 2020 ranking with scores and college profiles
Major changes from 2019 to 2020
Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 40 to 25, an improvement of 15 places. Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 36 to 59. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy | 40 | ↑ 15 places |
| 53 | Bharathidasan University | 60 | ↑ 7 places |
| 28 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | 33 | ↑ 5 places |
| 59 | Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research | 36 | ↓ 23 places |
| 91 | The Gandhigram Rural Institute | 75 | ↓ 16 places |
| 60 | Madurai Kamaraj University | 45 | ↓ 15 places |
Changes to the published list — 2 newly listed and 5 no longer listed
Newly present Tamil Nadu institutions in 2020
2| 2020 rank | Institution | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education | 42.57 | Newly present |
| 98 | Chettinad Academy of Research and Education | 39.97 | Newly present |
Tamil Nadu institutions not present in 2020
5| 2019 rank | Institution | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Tamil Nadu Agricultural University | Not present in 2020 |
| 70 | Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University | Not present in 2020 |
| 92 | Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences | Not present in 2020 |
| 93 | Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli | Not present in 2020 |
| 100 | Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research | Not present in 2020 |
Tamil Nadu NIRF University rankings 2019
21 Tamil Nadu institutions appear in the 2019 published University list. Anna University is the highest-ranked Tamil Nadu entry at national rank 7 with a score of 60.35.
Tamil Nadu institutions in NIRF University 2019
21Major changes from 2018 to 2019
Periyar University recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 90 to 68, an improvement of 22 places. Tamil Nadu Agricultural University recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 25 to 44. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | Periyar University | 90 | ↑ 22 places |
| 32 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | 41 | ↑ 9 places |
| 45 | Madurai Kamaraj University | 54 | ↑ 9 places |
| 44 | Tamil Nadu Agricultural University | 25 | ↓ 19 places |
| 36 | Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research | 21 | ↓ 15 places |
| 100 | Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research | 88 | ↓ 12 places |
Changes to the published list — 1 newly listed and 0 no longer listed
Newly present Tamil Nadu institutions in 2019
1| 2019 rank | Institution | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93 | Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli | 38.76 | Newly present |
Tamil Nadu institutions not present in 2019
0Every Tamil Nadu entry in the earlier list remains present.
Tamil Nadu NIRF University rankings 2018
20 Tamil Nadu institutions appear in the 2018 published University list. Anna University is the highest-ranked Tamil Nadu entry at national rank 4 with a score of 62.82.
Tamil Nadu institutions in NIRF University 2018
20| 2018 rank | Institution | 2017 rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Anna University | 6 | 62.82 |
| 8 | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | 9 | 58.46 |
| 13 | Bharathiar University | 28 | 55.08 |
| 16 | Vellore Institute of Technology | 14 | 52.68 |
| 18 | University of Madras | 41 | 51.52 |
| 21 | Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research | 21 | 50.74 |
| 25 | Tamil Nadu Agricultural University | 17 | 49.22 |
| 27 | Alagappa University | 97 | 48.25 |
| 36 | Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy | — | 46.33 |
| 40 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | — | 45.29 |
| 41 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | 34 | 45.17 |
| 45 | Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | 44 | 44.34 |
| 46 | Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences | 55 | 44.00 |
| 54 | Madurai Kamaraj University | 77 | 42.98 |
| 65 | Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University | 38 | 41.73 |
| 67 | Bharathidasan University | 88 | 41.63 |
| 79 | The Gandhigram Rural Institute | — | 39.50 |
| 88 | Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research | 70 | 38.70 |
| 89 | Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences | — | 38.61 |
| 90 | Periyar University | 85 | 38.58 |
Major changes from 2017 to 2018
Alagappa University recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 97 to 27, an improvement of 70 places. Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 38 to 65. 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
6| 2018 rank | Institution | 2017 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | Alagappa University | 97 | ↑ 70 places |
| 18 | University of Madras | 41 | ↑ 23 places |
| 54 | Madurai Kamaraj University | 77 | ↑ 23 places |
| 65 | Tamil Nadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University | 38 | ↓ 27 places |
| 88 | Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research | 70 | ↓ 18 places |
| 25 | Tamil Nadu Agricultural University | 17 | ↓ 8 places |
Changes to the published list — 4 newly listed and 8 no longer listed
Newly present Tamil Nadu institutions in 2018
4| 2018 rank | Institution | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy | 46.33 | Newly present |
| 40 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | 45.29 | Newly present |
| 79 | The Gandhigram Rural Institute | 39.50 | Newly present |
| 89 | Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences | 38.61 | Newly present |
Tamil Nadu institutions not present in 2018
8| 2017 rank | Institution | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Shanmugha Arts Science Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) | Not present in 2018 |
| 39 | Sri Ramachandra University | Not present in 2018 |
| 56 | Annamalai University | Not present in 2018 |
| 65 | Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R & D Institute of Science and Technology | Not present in 2018 |
| 71 | Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences-Coimbatore | Not present in 2018 |
| 90 | Karpagam Academy of Higher Education | Not present in 2018 |
| 91 | The Gandhigram Rural Institute - Deemed University | Not present in 2018 |
| 100 | B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology | Not present in 2018 |
Tamil Nadu NIRF University rankings 2017
24 Tamil Nadu institutions appear in the 2017 published University list. Anna University is the highest-ranked Tamil Nadu entry at national rank 6 with a score of 56.50.
Tamil Nadu institutions in NIRF University 2017
24Major changes from 2016 to 2017
SRM Institute of Science and Technology recorded the largest rise, moving from national rank 43 to 34, an improvement of 9 places. Alagappa University recorded the largest fall, moving from national rank 49 to 97. 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 2016
5| 2017 rank | Institution | 2016 rank | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | 43 | ↑ 9 places |
| 56 | Annamalai University | 57 | ↑ 1 place |
| 97 | Alagappa University | 49 | ↓ 48 places |
| 85 | Periyar University | 47 | ↓ 38 places |
| 71 | Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences-Coimbatore | 48 | ↓ 23 places |
Changes to the published list — 17 newly listed and 8 no longer listed
Newly present Tamil Nadu institutions in 2017
17Tamil Nadu institutions not present in 2017
8| 2016 rank | Institution | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham-Coimbatore | Not present in 2017 |
| 36 | Tamilnadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University | Not present in 2017 |
| 40 | Tamilnadu Agricultural University | Not present in 2017 |
| 41 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | Not present in 2017 |
| 52 | Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education | Not present in 2017 |
| 67 | Central University Of Tamil Nadu-Tiruvarur | Not present in 2017 |
| 75 | Noorul Islam Centre For Higher Education -Kanyakumari | Not present in 2017 |
| 100 | Chettinad Academy Of Research And Education (Care) | Not present in 2017 |
Tamil Nadu NIRF University rankings 2016
15 Tamil Nadu institutions appear in the 2016 published University list. Bharathiar University is the highest-ranked Tamil Nadu entry at national rank 14 with a score of 74.31.
Tamil Nadu institutions in NIRF University 2016
15| 2016 rank | Institution | Previous rank | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Bharathiar University | — | 74.31 |
| 14 | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham-Coimbatore | — | 74.02 |
| 36 | Tamilnadu Veterinary & Animal Sciences University | — | 64.23 |
| 40 | Tamilnadu Agricultural University | — | 63.66 |
| 41 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | — | 62.53 |
| 42 | Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology | — | 62.46 |
| 43 | SRM Institute of Science and Technology | — | 62.29 |
| 47 | Periyar University | — | 60.99 |
| 48 | Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences-Coimbatore | — | 60.85 |
| 49 | Alagappa University | — | 60.63 |
| 52 | Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education | — | 60.27 |
| 57 | Annamalai University | — | 57.58 |
| 67 | Central University Of Tamil Nadu-Tiruvarur | — | 55.37 |
| 75 | Noorul Islam Centre For Higher Education -Kanyakumari | — | 53.42 |
| 100 | Chettinad Academy Of Research And Education (Care) | — | 47.05 |
This is the earliest available University edition; an earlier-year comparison is unavailable.
Tamil Nadu University ranking list
Avg score 49.40
#InstituteScore
4 Amrita 62.27 4
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: not ranked
- 2017: rank 9
- 2018: rank 8
- 2019: rank 8
- 2020: rank 4
Lower rank is better.
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Improved by 5 places from #9 in 2017 to #4 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
12 Anna University 58.71 5
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: not ranked
- 2017: rank 6
- 2018: rank 4
- 2019: rank 7
- 2020: rank 12
Lower rank is better.
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Moved down 6 places from #6 in 2017 to #12 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
13 Bharathiar University 58.30 1
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: rank 14
- 2017: rank 28
- 2018: rank 13
- 2019: rank 14
- 2020: rank 13
Lower rank is better.
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Improved by 1 places from #14 in 2016 to #13 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
16 VIT Vellore 55.22 3
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: not ranked
- 2017: rank 14
- 2018: rank 16
- 2019: rank 19
- 2020: rank 16
Lower rank is better.
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Moved down 2 places from #14 in 2017 to #16 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
22 University of Madras 52.55 2
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: not ranked
- 2017: rank 41
- 2018: rank 18
- 2019: rank 20
- 2020: rank 22
Lower rank is better.
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Improved by 19 places from #41 in 2017 to #22 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
25 SASTRA 52.22 15
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: not ranked
- 2017: not ranked
- 2018: rank 36
- 2019: rank 40
- 2020: rank 25
Lower rank is better.
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Improved by 11 places from #36 in 2018 to #25 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
28 SRIHER Chennai 51.32 5
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: rank 41
- 2017: not ranked
- 2018: rank 40
- 2019: rank 33
- 2020: rank 28
Lower rank is better.
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Improved by 13 places from #41 in 2016 to #28 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
35 SRMIST Chennai 50.07 3
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: rank 43
- 2017: rank 34
- 2018: rank 41
- 2019: rank 32
- 2020: rank 35
Lower rank is better.
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Improved by 8 places from #43 in 2016 to #35 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
36 Alagappa University 49.22 8
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: rank 49
- 2017: rank 97
- 2018: rank 27
- 2019: rank 28
- 2020: rank 36
Lower rank is better.
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Improved by 13 places from #49 in 2016 to #36 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
39 Sathyabama 48.77 2
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: rank 42
- 2017: rank 44
- 2018: rank 45
- 2019: rank 41
- 2020: rank 39
Lower rank is better.
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Improved by 3 places from #42 in 2016 to #39 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
42 Saveetha Chennai 48.56 1
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: not ranked
- 2017: rank 55
- 2018: rank 46
- 2019: rank 43
- 2020: rank 42
Lower rank is better.
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Improved by 13 places from #55 in 2017 to #42 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
53 Bharathidasan University 46.41 7
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: not ranked
- 2017: rank 88
- 2018: rank 67
- 2019: rank 60
- 2020: rank 53
Lower rank is better.
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Improved by 35 places from #88 in 2017 to #53 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
59 Bharath Institute of Higher Education & Research 45.67 23
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: not ranked
- 2017: rank 21
- 2018: rank 21
- 2019: rank 36
- 2020: rank 59
Lower rank is better.
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Moved down 38 places from #21 in 2017 to #59 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
60 Madurai Kamraj University 45.58 15
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: not ranked
- 2017: rank 77
- 2018: rank 54
- 2019: rank 45
- 2020: rank 60
Lower rank is better.
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Improved by 17 places from #77 in 2017 to #60 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
72 KARE 42.57 20
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: rank 52
- 2017: not ranked
- 2018: not ranked
- 2019: not ranked
- 2020: rank 72
Lower rank is better.
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Moved down 20 places from #52 in 2016 to #72 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
83 Periyar University 41.09 15
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: rank 47
- 2017: rank 85
- 2018: rank 90
- 2019: rank 68
- 2020: rank 83
Lower rank is better.
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Moved down 36 places from #47 in 2016 to #83 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
91 GRI Gandhigram 40.65 16
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: not ranked
- 2017: not ranked
- 2018: rank 79
- 2019: rank 75
- 2020: rank 91
Lower rank is better.
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Moved down 12 places from #79 in 2018 to #91 in 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
98 Chettinad Academy of Research and Education 39.97 NEW
NIRF Rank Trend (University)
- 2016: not ranked
- 2017: not ranked
- 2018: not ranked
- 2019: not ranked
- 2020: rank 98
Lower rank is better.
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Ranked #98 in both 2020 and 2020.
Consistently ranked among India's top university institutions.
Data source: NIRF, Ministry of Education, Government of India. Ownership labels apply only to institutions classified in the NIRFRank database.
Tamil Nadu ranking questions
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 2020 list?
18 ranked colleges are shown across 11 cities in this state.
What does the rank trend inside each row show?
Open any row to see that college's NIRF University rank across the latest available editions.