List of Colleges in Dehradun 2026: Top Universities & Websites

Looking for a reliable list of colleges in Dehradun for 2026? This guide covers the city's best colleges and top universities across engineering, medicine, management, law, forestry and general degree courses. For each one you get the type, the verified NIRF 2025 rank where one exists, the main courses, the admission route, the locality and the official website.

Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, has become one of North India's busiest student cities. Private universities, government medical colleges and national research institutes sit within a short drive of each other. Two well-known names that students often link with Dehradun, IIT Roorkee and AIIMS Rishikesh, are in fact outside the city, and we cover them separately below.

Top 10 colleges in Dehradun at a glance (2026)

The table is ordered by verified NIRF 2025 rank, followed by institutions that are well known but not ranked. NIRF stands for National Institutional Ranking Framework, the Ministry of Education's ranking system. NIRF 2025 is the latest edition we could confirm from more than one source.

Universities in Dehradun

Most students in the city study at a multi-discipline university. The two largest, UPES and Graphic Era, are also the only Dehradun institutions in the NIRF 2025 University top 100.

UPES

UPES (formerly University of Petroleum and Energy Studies) began with energy-sector courses and now runs schools of engineering, computer science, law, business, design, health sciences and liberal studies. It is the highest-ranked institution in Dehradun in NIRF 2025.

• Established: 2003, private university under a state Act
• NIRF 2025: University 45, Law 18, Management 36, Engineering 43, Overall 64
• Popular courses: B.Tech (CSE, aerospace, petroleum), BA/BBA LLB, BBA, MBA, B.Des
• Admission via: UPESEAT or JEE Main for B.Tech, CLAT/ULSAT for law, CAT/MAT/own test for MBA
• Approx. fees: B.Tech is often around ₹4–5 lakh per year (2026, varies by branch). Check the official fee page.

Graphic Era (Deemed to be University)

Graphic Era has grown from an engineering college into a deemed university with a large campus in Clement Town. It ranks just behind UPES among Dehradun universities and is known for high B.Tech intake and campus recruitment in IT.

• Deemed university status: 2008
• NIRF 2025: University 48, Engineering 52, Management 52, Overall 72
• Popular courses: B.Tech, BCA, MCA, MBA, B.Sc, biotechnology
• Admission via: JEE Main scores or the university's own process
• Approx. fees: B.Tech commonly about ₹2.5–3.5 lakh per year (approx., 2026). Verify on the official site.

Graphic Era Hill University (GEHU)

GEHU is a separate private university run by the same group. Its Dehradun campus is in Clement Town, and it also has campuses in Bhimtal and Haldwani. We could not confirm a separate NIRF 2025 rank for GEHU, so do not mix it up with the deemed university's rank.

DIT University and Uttaranchal University

DIT University grew out of the Dehradun Institute of Technology and became a university in 2013. Its strongest NIRF showing is in pharmacy (2025 rank 83). Uttaranchal University in Prem Nagar includes the long-running Law College Dehradun and ranks 75 in the NIRF 2025 Pharmacy list.

Doon University

Doon University is the city's state-run university, created by a 2005 Act, with teaching starting in 2009–10. Fees are much lower than at private universities, and it is a good choice for languages, social sciences, environment studies and pure sciences. It does not appear in the NIRF 2025 lists.

Engineering colleges in Dehradun

Engineering is the largest stream in the city. Nearly every private university offers B.Tech, and most accept JEE Main scores alongside their own entrance tests.

Medical and health science colleges in Dehradun

MBBS and BDS admission everywhere in India is through NEET UG, followed by MCC counselling for All-India Quota seats and Uttarakhand state counselling for state quota and private seats.

Government Doon Medical College is affiliated to HNB Uttarakhand Medical Education University, and its government seats cost far less than private MBBS seats. Swami Rama Himalayan University is technically just outside the city, near Dehradun's Jolly Grant airport.

Management colleges in Dehradun

Doon Business School started in the late 2000s and became DBS Global University under Uttarakhand's private university law. Before you apply, check the current name and approval status on the UGC list of universities.

Law colleges in Dehradun

Dehradun's law education is led by UPES School of Law, which ranks 18 in the NIRF 2025 Law list. It is the only Dehradun law school in that list. Other well-known choices are Law College Dehradun (part of Uttaranchal University, Prem Nagar), plus law programmes at IMS Unison University and DAV PG College. Five-year integrated courses (BA LLB, BBA LLB) usually admit through CLAT, LSAT India or the university's own test. LLB (three-year) admission is generally based on graduation marks or an entrance test.

Science and research institutes in Dehradun

Dehradun is home to several national research institutes. These are a real advantage for students who want careers in forestry, ecology or the earth sciences.

FRI's postgraduate programmes have small batches (around 20–38 seats per programme in recent bulletins). Admission notices appear once a year, so keep an eye on the official site from early in the calendar year.

Arts, science and commerce colleges in Dehradun

For BA, B.Sc and B.Com at a modest cost, students look at the city's long-established degree colleges. DAV PG College (official site: davpgcollegeddn.ac.in) dates back to 1948 as a postgraduate college. It is affiliated to HNB Garhwal University, a central university whose campuses are in Srinagar (Garhwal), Pauri and Tehri, not in Dehradun.

A 2023 move by HNB Garhwal University to end the affiliation of some colleges, including DAV, was stayed by the Uttarakhand High Court. Students should therefore confirm which university will award their degree before taking admission. Doon University and SGRR University are other options for general degree courses.

How admission works in Dehradun

1. Pick your stream and exam: JEE Main (B.Tech; JEE Advanced for IIT Roorkee), NEET UG (MBBS/BDS/nursing at many places), CUET UG (central and some state universities), CLAT/LSAT (law), CAT/MAT/CMAT (MBA), NATA/JEE Paper 2 (architecture).
2. Check each university's own test: UPES (UPESEAT), Graphic Era, DIT and others also run their own entrance tests or admit on merit.
3. Apply online on the official website. Keep Class 10/12 marksheets, ID, photos and category or domicile certificates ready.
4. Attend counselling: JoSAA for IITs/NITs, MCC and Uttarakhand state medical counselling for MBBS, and university counselling for private institutes.
5. Confirm the seat by paying the fee within the deadline and completing document verification.

How to choose the right college in Dehradun

• Recognition: Check UGC (universities), AICTE (engineering/MBA), NMC (MBBS), PCI (pharmacy) and BCI (law) approvals.
• Total cost: Add tuition, hostel and mess. Private B.Tech or MBBS can cost several times more than a government seat.
• Placements: Ask for the median package and how many students were placed, not just the highest package.
• Location: Bidholi/Kandoli (UPES), Jolly Grant (SRHU) and Selaqui (DBS) are on the outskirts, so plan for transport.
• Wider choice: If you are open to the whole state, see our guide to the top universities in Uttarakhand.

Scholarships for students in Dehradun

Private university fees in Dehradun can be high, so plan your funding early. Most private universities offer merit scholarships based on JEE Main, Class 12 or their own entrance test scores. Ask about them during counselling.

• National Scholarship Portal (NSP): central and state schemes, including post-matric scholarships for SC/ST/OBC/minority students.
• Uttarakhand state schemes: state post-matric and other schemes for eligible domicile students.
• AISEE: the All India Scholarship Entrance Examination offers fee support at participating colleges. Read about AISEE scholarships for engineering students.

Medical aspirants can also look at the options listed on our scholarships for medical students page.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best college in Dehradun?

In NIRF 2025, UPES is the highest-ranked Dehradun institution (University rank 45), followed by Graphic Era (Deemed to be University) at rank 48. The best choice still depends on your course. For a government MBBS seat, for example, Government Doon Medical College is the main option.

Is there an IIT or AIIMS in Dehradun?

No. IIT Roorkee is in Roorkee and AIIMS Rishikesh is in Rishikesh. Both are within a couple of hours of Dehradun, and many students in the city prepare for them.

Which government colleges are there in Dehradun?

Key government options include Doon University (state university), Government Doon Medical College (MBBS), and national institutes such as the Forest Research Institute (Deemed University) and the Wildlife Institute of India for postgraduate study.

Is UPES or Graphic Era better?

UPES ranks higher in NIRF 2025 in the University (45 vs 48), Engineering (43 vs 52) and Management (36 vs 52) lists, and it also has a ranked law school. Graphic Era is usually cheaper, so compare fees, branch and placements for your course.

Does HNB Garhwal University have a campus in Dehradun?

No. HNB Garhwal University's campuses are in Srinagar (Garhwal), Pauri and Tehri. Some Dehradun colleges, such as DAV PG College, are affiliated to it.

Can I join the Indian Military Academy after Class 12?

Not directly. Class 12 students first clear the UPSC NDA exam and train at NDA before moving to IMA. Graduates can enter through the CDS exam, and engineering graduates through technical entries.

Conclusion: choosing from the list of colleges in Dehradun

This list of colleges in Dehradun shows a city with strong private universities (UPES, Graphic Era, DIT, Uttaranchal), affordable public options (Doon University, Government Doon Medical College) and national research institutes such as FRI and WII. Shortlist three to five colleges for your course, check their NIRF rank and fees on the official sites, and line up your entrance exams for 2026. Then apply for scholarships early so cost does not limit your choice.