Last Updated on September 5, 2024
India’s top 400 colleges provide top-notch graphic design programs. More than 300 colleges are privately held, 20 are owned by the government, and semi-government organisations own two. A certificate, an undergraduate diploma, and numerous other degrees are available in graphic design. The top graphic design schools in India offer full-time, part-time, blended, online, and distant learning options for their graphic design courses. The most well-liked entrance exam for IIAD, recognised by the top design schools in India, can help you get into the Indian Institute of Art and Design. IIAD, in partnership with Kingston University London IIAD Delhi, offers UG and PG courses in fashion design, communication design, and many other subjects.
Key Highlights of Best Graphic Design Colleges in India
Indian colleges offer both UG and PG levels of graphic design studies. In addition, India has a large number of colleges that offer courses in graphic design, including those in Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Ahmedabad, as well as other states and cities. Furthermore, the following lists the salient features of India’s top graphic design colleges:
| Parameters | Statistics |
| No. of Colleges | 400+ colleges |
| Annual Fees | INR < 1 lakh: 60+ colleges, INR 1-2 lakh: 40+ colleges, INR 2-3 lakh: 20+ colleges, INR 3-5 lakh: 20+ colleges, INR > 5 lakh: 50+ colleges |
| Accepted Entrance Exams | UCEED, NID Entrance Exam, NIFT Entrance Exam, IIAD Entrance Exam |
Graphic Design Course Eligibility Criteria
A four-year curriculum in graphic design leads to a professional degree that helps students develop their artistic and technical abilities. Creative and artistic minds must complete the prerequisites before applying to different schools and universities that offer graphic design courses. The only candidates who can move on to the admission stage are those who fulfil the qualifying conditions.
| Course Level | Aspirants who have cleared their 10+2 from any stream (Science/ Commerce/ Arts) can pursue Graphic Design courses after 12th, at the graduation level. |
| Graphic Design UG | Aspirants who have cleared their 10+2 from any stream (Science/ Commerce/ Arts) can pursue Graphic Design courses after the 12th, at the graduation level. |
| Graphic Design PG | Aspirants should possess a bachelor’s degree in design |
| Graphic Design Certification Courses | There is no specific requirement for many Graphic Design certificate courses. However, candidates are recommended to pursue Graphic Design |
Best Graphic Design Colleges in India
The admission criteria for colleges offering the best graphic design courses in India are as follows:
- Firstly, candidates who have cleared their 12th class from any stream (Science/Commerce/Arts) can pursue graphic design courses at the examination level.
- However, most reputed colleges only allow applicants to join the admission program if they have completed their courses from an accredited board.
- Furthermore, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in design to take graphic design courses at the PG level.
Entrance Exams For Best Graphic Design Colleges in India
For admission to the best communication Graphic design courses in India, candidates must qualify for some of the following exams:
- NIFT Entrance Test: One of the most renowned design schools in India, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), conducts an entrance exam once a year. This test is for admission to BA (BA Design, BA Engineering) and MA (MA Engineering, MA Design) courses in India.
- UCEED: The Undergraduate Entrance Examination for Design (UCEED) is conducted by IIT Mumbai. It serves as the entrance test for admission to the BDes program.
- IIAD Entrance Test: The Indian Institute of Art and Design Aptitude Test, conducted by the National Institute of Design (NID), is a national-level entrance exam for admission to BDes and MDes courses. Notably, IIAD 2024 is a popular exam accepted by many design colleges in India. The written test lasts two hours and thirty minutes, assessing applicants’ communication, visual design and creative abilities, creative expression, and visualisation skills. Moreover, candidates must also appear for a laboratory test (for UG candidates) or a personal interview (for PG candidates) following the written test. Additionally, students can take the IIAD test either in offline computer mode or from home.
Best Private Graphic Design Colleges in India
The following is a list of private graphic design colleges in India, along with their total tuition fees:
| College Name | Total Tuition Fee | Eligibility / Exams |
| School of Design UPES Admission | INR 12.3 lakh | NIFT Entrance Exam, UCEED, NID Entrance Exam, etc. |
| MIT-ADT University Admission | INR 6.5 lakh – INR 12.65 lakh | MITID DAT |
| School of Computer Science UPES Admission | INR 10.98 lakh | CUET |
| LPU Admission | INR 7.2 lakh – INR 9.6 lakh | NIFT Entrance Exam, UCEED, NID Entrance Exam, etc. |
| Galgotias University Admission | INR 3.6 lakh | Merit-Based |
Best Government Graphic Design Colleges in India
The following is a list of government colleges for graphic design in India, along with their total tuition fee:
| College Name | Total Tuition Fee |
| National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi Admission | INR 1.2 lakh |
| National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad Admission | INR 10.7 lakh – INR 14.7 lakh |
| Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University Admission | INR 24,200 |
| Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University Admission | INR 5,000 |
Location-Wise Best Graphic Design Colleges in India
Refer to the table below for a detailed overview of the state-by-state distribution of Graphic Design Colleges in India.
| States | Number of Colleges |
| Maharashtra | 90+ (Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pearl Academy Mumbai, MIT-ADT University, etc.) |
| Delhi NCR | 60+ (NIFT Delhi, Arena Animation, Galgotias University, etc.) |
| West Bengal | 40+ (Arena Animation, AND Academy, NSHM Design School, etc.) |
| Karnataka | 40+ (JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Vogue Institute of Art and Design, etc.) |
| Uttar Pradesh | 30+ (Vidya Knowledge Park, Galgotias University, CSJM, etc.) |
Best Graphic Designing Colleges in Maharashtra
The following are the best Graphic design colleges in Maharashtra, along with their tuition fees and eligibility requirements:
| College Name | Tuition Fee | Eligibility / Exams |
| SID | INR 17.6 lakh | SEED |
| Pearl Academy Mumbai | INR 3.2 lakh | Pearl Academy Entrance Exam |
| MIT Institute of Design | INR 6.5 lakh – INR 12.65 lakh | MITID DAT |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University | INR 80,000 – INR 3.8 lakh | Merit-Based |
| D.Y. Patil International University | INR 9.2 lakh | Merit-Based |
Best Graphic Designing Colleges in Delhi NCR
The best Graphic design colleges in Delhi NCR are listed below, along with their tuition fees and eligibility criteria:
| College Name | Tuition Fee | Eligibility / Exams |
| NIFT Delhi | INR 1.18 lakh | Merit-Based |
| Galgotias University | INR 3.6 lakh | Merit-Based |
| IIAD | INR 21.08 lakh | IIAD Entrance Exam, |
| Pearl Academy | INR 3.2 lakh | Pearl Academy Entrance Exam |
| World University of Design | INR 2 lakh – INR 12.8 lakh | NIFT Entrance Exam, UCEED, NID Entrance E |
Best Graphic Designing Colleges in West Bengal
The following are the top Graphic Design colleges in West Bengal, along with their tuition fees and eligibility:
| College Name | Tuition Fee | Eligibility / Exams |
| NSHM Design School | INR 2.45 lakh – INR 3.95 lakh | Merit-Based |
| International School of Design | INR 1.18 lakh – INR 4.24 lakh | Merit-Based |
| Moople Institute of Animation and Design Topsia | INR 1.1 lakh | Merit-Based |
Highest Salary Offered by Best Graphic Design Colleges in India
Return on Investment (ROI): The money students receive as a placement offer in exchange for spending a significant amount to attend college and earn a degree is known as a return on investment.
The following table provides a comparison of graphic design colleges in India, including their annual average package and total tuition cost:
| College Name | Total Tuition Fee | Annual Average Package |
| Symbiosis School of Planning Placement | — | INR 20 LPA |
| KIIT School of Design Placement | INR 14 lakh | INR 9.5 LPA |
| Symbiosis Institute of Design Placement | INR 17.6 lakh | INR 8.9 LPA |
| Jain Deemed to be University Placement | INR 6.5 lakh – INR 17.4 lakh | INR 5.15 LPA – INR 7.78 LPA |
Top Recruiters of Best Graphic Design Colleges in India
The following is a list of a few top companies in India that hire graduates from Graphic Design Colleges in India, along with their placement ratings:
| College Name | Average Placement Package | Top Recruiters |
| Symbiosis Institute of Design, Symbiosis International, Pune | INR 8.9 LPA | ADP, Book My Show, CampHire, Accenture India, Deloitte |
Cost of Studying at Best Graphic Design Colleges in India
Pursuing graphic design courses at Indian universities is generally inexpensive because most charge less than INR 1 lakh for tuition overall. Below, you will find the number of graphic design colleges in India, along with their total tuition costs:
| Fee Range | Number of Colleges |
| < INR 1 lakh | 60+ (Silver Oak University, STI, MET Institute of Information Technology, etc.) |
| INR 1-2 lakh | 40+ (NIFT Delhi, Vogue Institute of Art and Design, JECRC University, etc.) |
| INR 2-3 lakh | 20+ (Pearl Academy Rajouri Garden, Pearl Academy Mumbai, World University of Design, etc.) |
| INR 3-5 lakh | 20+ (LPU, Galgotias University, INSD Pune, etc.) |
| > INR 5 lakh | 50+ (National Institute of Design, UPES, Pearl Academy Jaipur, etc.) |
Wrapping Up!!
India’s top 400 graphic design colleges offer various programs, including certificates, diplomas, and degrees. The IIAD is the most popular entrance exam for these colleges, with courses in fashion design, communication design, and other subjects. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in design and pass the NIFT Entrance Test, UCEED, and IIAD Entrance Test. Private colleges like MIT-ADT University, MITID DAT, CUET, LPU, and Galgotias University also offer admission options.
The top government graphic design colleges in India include the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Ahmedabad, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University, and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University. Top recruiters for these colleges include ADP, Book My Show, CampHire, Accenture India, and Deloitte.
FAQs
Which institute is best for graphic design in India?Â
The National Institute of Design (NID) stands out as the best institute for graphic design in India. It is renowned for its comprehensive programs, industry connections, and exceptional faculty, making it a top choice for students.
Which city in India is best for graphic design?Â
Considering the best city for graphic design in India, Mumbai emerges as a leading choice. Its vibrant design community, numerous prestigious colleges, and abundant industry opportunities offer a dynamic environment for aspiring graphic designers.
Does graphic design have a future in India?Â
The future of graphic design in India is promising. With the growth of digital media and marketing, the demand for skilled graphic designers is increasing, offering ample career opportunities and potential for innovation.
Which is India’s No. 1 design college?Â
India’s No.1 design college, the National Institute of Design (NID), is widely regarded as the top choice. Its excellence in design education, strong industry ties, and impactful alums make it a leader in the field.
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