If you don’t know the best “Dental College in Karnataka for MDS?” then no worries. In this blog post, we’ve provided the list of top dental colleges in Karnataka with admission, placements, and much more.
Karnataka is home to approximately 45+ dental colleges, including 3 Government institutes and over 40 Private institutions. Note that Karnataka has the highest number of dental institutes in India. To get admission into the best colleges, you must score good marks in entrance exams. Let’s move ahead to learn about each dental college.
Admission Process of Dental Colleges in Karnataka
The admission process for the MDS courses will depend on several factors, including eligibility, cutoff marks, etc. Admission to this course is strictly made through the marks of entrance exams.
- Students must have completed BDS from a recognized college.
- Candidates must possess a BDS degree and secure the qualifying cutoff (50th Percentile) in the NEET MDS exam.
- Their age should be at least 20 years.
- After fulfilling the eligibility criteria, candidates must register for the NEET MDS entrance exam and participate in KEA Counselling (for State Quota) or MCC Counselling (for Deemed Universities).
Top 10 Dental Colleges in Karnataka 2026
1. A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences
This is the best dental institute approved by the DCI and accredited with an A grade by NAAC. This college is affiliated with the NITTE and is deemed a university. It offers UG, PG, Ph.D., and Certificate courses in Dental Sciences.
The annual tuition fee for MDS ranges from ₹6 Lakhs to ₹15 Lakhs depending on the specialization. ABSMIDS provides various modern facilities to its students, like a well-equipped library, cafeteria, hostels, sports, etc. To get more details, visit the official website.
2. Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences
Established in 1999 under the aegis of Coorg Dental and Medical Sciences, CIDS is a famous dental college. The DCI and the government of India approve this university. It has been ranked 37th in the dental stream by NIRF. The college offers BDS and MDS at UG and PG levels.
Moreover, the university also offers a Nobel Biocare Implant Fellowship with NOBEL BIOCARE Company. The fee for this course varies by quota: Approx ₹3.8 Lakhs (Govt Quota) to ₹6-10 Lakhs (Private Quota). For more details about this college, visit here.
3. SDM College of Dental Sciences, Dharwad
This college was founded in 1986 by Veerendra Heggade, President of SDM Educational Society. As per NIRF, SDM College of Dental Sciences ranked 22nd in the dental category. It offers UG and PG-level courses. Admission to these courses is done through NEET MDS marks.
The university also has various modern infrastructures like outdoor games, hostels, sports complexes, etc. It has a good placement record with a minimum salary package of 6 LPA. Visit here to learn more about this specific college.
4. Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS)
MCODS was established in 1965 under the aegis of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The Malaysian Dental Council and Kathmandu University recognized the institute. Manipal College of Dental Sciences is ranked #2 for dental by NIRF.
It offers degree, certificate, and diploma courses in dental sciences, and admission is based on the entrance exam and cutoff criteria. The fee is approx ₹18.5 Lakhs per year for the MDS course. The placement of this college is decent, and it offers a minimum of 6.5 LPA. Tap here to learn more about this college.
5. JSS Dental College and Hospital
It is one of the best dental colleges, and it was established in 1986. The college is affiliated with JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research. The college aims to provide the best research, community service, and dental education.
They provide many BDS and MDS courses in different specializations. Admission to this institute is based on various factors, including entrance exam marks. The fee for this course is around ₹8 Lakhs to ₹14 Lakhs per year. If you still want more details regarding this college, hit here.
6. M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
MSRUAS is a private college established in 2013 under the Karnataka University Act. It has two campuses across Bangalore, namely Gnanagangothri and Peenya. The college offers UG, PG, and PhD courses. It is consistently ranked among the top 15 Dental colleges in India by NIRF.
Admission to this course is made through entrance exams. The tuition fees for MDS are approximately ₹6 Lakhs (Govt Quota) to ₹12 Lakhs (Private Quota). For more details, tap here.
7. Government Dental College and Research Institute (GDCRI), Bangalore
This university was founded in 1958 and is affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Science. It is well-known for Ph.D., MDS, and BDS courses. Admission to this university is based on entrance exams. These courses are imparted at low fees of INR 30,000 – 50,000 per year.
While getting into this college, students can gain knowledge in their chosen field. Research and compare different institutes before making a decision. The placement record of this college is excellent. Click here to get more information about this institute.
8. Yenepoya Dental College and Hospital
Established in 1999, YDC is a professional college offering a library, lecture halls, preclinical and para-clinical departments, and an examination hall. This institute presently provides UG, PG, Diploma, and many Add-on courses.
Admission to this course is based on the cutoff marks of the NEET-UG and NEET-PG entrance exams. The fee is approx ₹10 Lakhs to ₹12 Lakhs per annum. It has various modern infrastructure and facilities. Visit here for more information about this college.
9. D.A. Pandu Memorial R.V. Dental College
It is India’s premier dental college, established in 1992. It is affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and is recognized by the DCI. The university offers many UG, PG, and Doctoral courses in various streams.
Admission is based on marks obtained by the students in the entrance examinations. There are 100% placement records for those students who have completed the course. Scholarship facilities are provided to deserving students. For more details, tap here.
10. The Oxford Dental College and Hospital
This is Karnataka’s one of the reputed private dental colleges. It is affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and is approved by the Dental Council of India. It offers UG and PG programs in various specializations.
The college offers various facilities such as sports, cafeteria, laboratory, etc. Oxford Dental College and Hospital offer quality education and state-of-the-art infrastructure. To get more details about this college, click here.
Important: Fee Structure & Stipend Analysis (2026 Estimates)
Understanding the fee difference between Government, Private, and Deemed colleges is critical. Below is the estimated data for 2026-27.
| College Type | Annual Fee (Govt Quota) | Annual Fee (Private/Mgmt Quota) | Monthly Stipend (Approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Colleges (GDC) | ₹30,000 – ₹50,000 | N/A | ₹30,000 – ₹45,000 |
| Private Colleges (State) | ₹3.80 Lakhs | ₹6 Lakhs – ₹10 Lakhs | ₹0 – ₹10,000 |
| Deemed Universities | N/A | ₹12 Lakhs – ₹18 Lakhs | ₹5,000 – ₹25,000 |
NEET MDS Cutoff Trends (General Category)
To get a seat, you must know the competition level. Here are the safe rank ranges:
- Government Colleges: Top 150 – 300 All India Rank.
- Top Private Colleges (Govt Seat): 500 – 2,000 Rank.
- Deemed Universities: 3,000 – 8,000+ Rank.
Watch: Top Dental Colleges in Karnataka (Fees & Campus Tour)
Placement
The placement criteria of the colleges mentioned above are excellent, so students get job offers from top companies. The placement includes various processes, such as campus interviews, and candidates are provided special training to prepare them for the interviews.
Note that many top companies and hospital chains visit the college campus every year for recruitment. They offer a salary package of a minimum of 6 LPA to a maximum of 20 LPA. This package varies depending on the specialization (e.g., Oral Surgery vs. Public Health).
The Bottom Line!
In this blog, we’ve provided a list of the best Dental Colleges in Karnataka that offer you an MDS course with admission procedures and placements. You can visit their official website or comment in the sections below if you still need information about these universities.
FAQs
1. How many MDS colleges are there in Karnataka?
There are approximately 45+ dental colleges in Karnataka offering MDS programs. These universities are well-governed by the statutory bodies like DCI.
2. How many government MDS seats are there in Karnataka?
There are approximately 1,300+ MDS seats in Karnataka across all quotas (Government + Private + Deemed). The number of pure Government college seats is limited to around 100-150.
3. Which college is best for dental in Karnataka?
The best dental colleges in Karnataka are Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), GDC Bangalore, and SDM Dharwad.
4. How can I get admission to MDS?
Students who have completed BDS can get admission into the MDS courses. They must have valid marks in the NEET MDS, a national-level entrance exam. The average fee for this course ranges between ₹3.8 Lakhs (Govt Quota) and ₹15 Lakhs (Management Quota).
