Securing a seat in Uttar Pradesh’s top engineering colleges is a strategy game, not just a rank game. With over 200+ colleges affiliated with AKTU (Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University), the difference between a “good” and “average” college often comes down to your UPTAC Choice Filling strategy.
This guide moves beyond generic lists. We analyze the 2026 Seat Matrix, decrypt the Government vs. Private ROI, and expose the “Hidden Costs” often overlooked in brochures. Whether you are targeting the prestigious IIT Kanpur or the top-tier private hubs in Noida/Ghaziabad, here is your roadmap for the 2026-27 academic session.
Uttar Pradesh is a unique educational hub hosting the full spectrum of technical institutes: from Centrally Funded Institutes (IIT/IIIT) to State Government Colleges (IET/HBTU) and a vast network of AKTU-affiliated private colleges. Engineering colleges in Uttar Pradesh are spread across the state, providing high-quality education to aspiring engineers.
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With the rapid expansion of the Noida-Greater Noida IT Hub, UP has become a prime destination for CSE aspirants, offering proximity to major recruiters like HCL, Adobe, and Microsoft. Some of these colleges have been ranked among the best in India and have a reputation for providing high-quality education. As per the latest NIRF Data, the top engineering colleges in the state are mentioned below:
| College Name | NIRF Ranking (Engineering) |
|---|---|
| Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur | 4 |
| Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi | 10 |
| Amity University, Noida | 31 |
| Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh | 32 |
| Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Allahabad | 49 |
| Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida | 90-100 Band |
| Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra | 101-150 Band |
| Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Allahabad | 87 |
| Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Amethi | 79 |
| Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU), Kanpur | Top 200 |
| Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology (MMMUT), Gorakhpur | Top 200 |
Admission to 90% of UP’s engineering seats is managed via UPTAC Counseling based on JEE Main ranks. While IITs require JEE Advanced, top AKTU government colleges like IET Lucknow typically close their CSE seats at around 45,000 AIR (General Category).
For most colleges affiliated with AKTU (Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University), admission is not direct. You must:
The eligibility criteria for admission to B.Tech courses may vary from college to college. Basic eligibility requirements include:
Engineering Colleges in Uttar Pradesh are known for providing excellent education. To help you navigate, we have segmented these top colleges by their location hubs. If you want to be a part of the best engineering colleges in Uttar Pradesh, you need to possess a valid JEE rank.
Knowing if you can get in is just as important as knowing the college name. Below are the estimated JEE Main rank ranges for General Category (CSE Branch) in top colleges:
Return on Investment (ROI) is critical. Below is a comparison of the Highest vs. Average Packages offered at these institutes.
| College Name | Average Package (LPA) | Highest Package (LPA) |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Kanpur | ₹ 26.27 LPA | ₹ 1.9 Crore (Domestic) |
| MNNIT Allahabad | ₹ 20.34 LPA | ₹ 1.35 Crore |
| HBTU Kanpur | ₹ 9.30 LPA | ₹ 44.50 LPA |
| IET Lucknow | ₹ 8.20 LPA | ₹ 49 LPA |
| JSS Noida | ₹ 5.5 – 6.5 LPA | ₹ 57 LPA |
Engineering in Uttar Pradesh offers two distinct paths: the high-ROI, low-fee structure of Government Colleges (IET, HBTU), or the industry-connected, placement-heavy ecosystem of Noida’s Private Institutes.
Your Next Steps:
Bookmark this page for the latest UPTAC 2026 Round-wise Cutoffs.
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The best engineering colleges in UP based on rankings and placements are:
There are many top private engineering colleges. Here is a realistic fee structure for 2026-27:
| Name of Institution | Approx. Fee per year |
| Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida | ₹ 3.5 Lakhs – ₹ 4.5 Lakhs |
| Jaypee Institute (JIIT), Noida | ₹ 2.5 Lakhs – ₹ 3 Lakhs |
| Galgotias College (GCET), Greater Noida | ₹ 1.25 Lakhs – ₹ 1.40 Lakhs |
| AKGEC, Ghaziabad | ₹ 1.20 Lakhs – ₹ 1.35 Lakhs |
According to NIRF 2024-25 Data, the top ranked colleges are:
| Rank | Institute Name |
| 1 | IIT Kanpur |
| 2 | IIT (BHU) Varanasi |
| 3 | Amity University, Noida |
| 4 | Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) |
IIT Kanpur consistently records the highest domestic and international packages (often exceeding ₹1 Cr). Among private colleges, Jaypee Noida and Shiv Nadar University offer the highest average placement packages.