List of Colleges in Pune 2026: Top Colleges & Universities

Looking for a reliable list of colleges in Pune for 2026? Pune is often called the "Oxford of the East" because it packs a state university, several large deemed universities, a top research institute, the country's best-known film school and over a century-old arts colleges into one city. This guide lists the top colleges in Pune stream by stream, with NIRF 2025 ranks, main courses, admission routes, locality and the verified official website of each institute.

We have used the NIRF 2025 India Rankings (released on 4 September 2025) throughout, because the 2026 edition could not be confirmed with published ranks at the time of writing. Every rank below names its category, since an institute's "University" rank and "Overall" rank are different numbers.

Top 10 colleges in Pune at a glance (2026)

The table below picks ten of the strongest institutes across streams. It is a guide, not an official ranking; the order is based mainly on NIRF 2025 results and on each institute's standing in its field.

Top universities in Pune

Pune has one large state university, three major deemed universities and two old, specialised deemed institutes. SPPU also affiliates hundreds of colleges across Pune, Ahmednagar and Nashik districts, so many of the colleges later in this list award SPPU degrees. For a statewide view, see our list of top universities in Maharashtra.

Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU)

SPPU is the backbone of higher education in the city and works from a large green campus at Ganeshkhind. Its rank slipped in NIRF 2025 (from 23 to 56 in the University category), which the university linked mainly to faculty shortages. It is still the cheapest route to good postgraduate science and humanities courses in Pune.

• Established: 1949
• Type: State public university
• NIRF 2025: University 56; Overall 91; State Public University 11
• Admission via: university entrance tests, CUET-PG for some departments, MAH-MBA CET for PUMBA
• Approx. fees: low, government-regulated; check the department page

Symbiosis International University (SIU)

Symbiosis is the highest-ranked university in Pune in NIRF 2025. It runs more than 30 institutes spread over several campuses, from law and management to media, design and engineering. Fees are on the higher side, but placements in law and management are strong.

• Type: Deemed to be University (private)
• NIRF 2025: University 24; Overall 40; Engineering (SIT) 46
• Admission via: SET for UG, SLAT for law, SNAP for MBA

Engineering colleges in Pune (summary)

Pune is one of India's biggest engineering hubs. The best-known names are COEP Technological University (coeptech.ac.in), Symbiosis Institute of Technology (part of SIU, NIRF 2025 Engineering rank 46), PICT, VIT Pune, Cummins College of Engineering for Women and MIT-WPU. Most state-quota seats are filled through MHT-CET and the Maharashtra CAP rounds, with some seats through JEE Main.

Because engineering needs much more detail on branches, cut-offs and placements, we cover it separately in our guide to the top engineering colleges in Pune.

Medical and dental colleges in Pune

Pune offers both very low-fee government seats and high-fee deemed university seats. All MBBS and BDS admissions go through NEET-UG; only the counselling route differs.

Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC)

AFMC is one of the most sought-after MBBS options in India because training is heavily subsidised and graduates join the Armed Forces Medical Services. Candidates need a good NEET-UG score, then clear AFMC's own screening, interview and medical test.

• Established: 1948
• NIRF: Medical rank 30 in NIRF 2024; not found in the 2025 Medical list
• Admission via: NEET-UG plus AFMC selection; a service commitment applies

Medical aspirants can also look at our scholarships for medical students to reduce the cost of an MBBS or BDS seat.

Management colleges in Pune

Symbiosis dominates MBA rankings in Pune, but the university department (PUMBA) offers a far cheaper alternative with a long alumni base.

Note that IIM does not have a campus in Pune; the nearest IIMs are in Mumbai and Nagpur.

Law colleges in Pune

Symbiosis Law School was the best-ranked private law school in NIRF 2025. ILS Law College, one of the oldest law colleges in western India, does not appear among the NIRF 2025 law ranks we could verify, but it remains a strong, low-fee choice through the state CET.

Science and research institutes in Pune

IISER Pune

IISER Pune is the best choice in the city for a research career in basic science. The five-year BS-MS programme mixes physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and earth sciences before students specialise.

• Established: 2006
• Type: Institute of National Importance (Ministry of Education)
• NIRF 2025: Research Institutions 35; Overall 55
• Admission via: IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) after Class 12 science
• Approx. fees: modest by national standards; check the current fee notice

Arts, science and commerce colleges in Pune

Most of these colleges are affiliated to SPPU and many now have autonomous status, which lets them design their own syllabus. Admission to BA, BSc, BCom and BBA is usually on Class 12 merit, with some courses using CUET or the college's own test.

Fergusson College

Founded in 1885, Fergusson is the oldest and best-known arts and science college in Pune and described by its parent society as the top-ranked Maharashtra college in the NIRF 2025 College list. Its hillside campus on FC Road is a landmark in its own right.

• Established: 1885
• NIRF 2025: College rank 57 (score 58.35)
• Popular courses: BSc (physics, biotechnology, computer science), BA (economics, psychology)
• Admission via: Class 12 merit and the college's admission process

Design and film institutes in Pune

Pune is also home to the Symbiosis Institute of Design and the design school of MIT-WPU, which admit through their own aptitude tests.

How admission works in Pune colleges

Admission depends on the stream and on whether a seat is government-controlled or managed by a deemed university.

1. Engineering: MHT-CET and JEE Main scores feed the Maharashtra State CET Cell CAP rounds; deemed universities such as SIU and MIT-WPU also run their own tests.
2. Medical and dental: NEET-UG is compulsory. Government and private college seats go through MCC (All India Quota) and the Maharashtra CET Cell; deemed university seats go through MCC deemed counselling. AFMC adds its own screening.
3. Management: CAT, MAH-MBA CET, CMAT or ATMA for state CAP seats; SNAP for Symbiosis institutes.
4. Law: MAH-LLB CET for ILS and other state-quota law colleges; SLAT for Symbiosis Law School.
5. Science research: IISER Aptitude Test for the BS-MS programme.
6. Arts, science and commerce: Class 12 merit lists, with CUET-UG or college tests for a few programmes.
7. Film: FTII JET followed by orientation and interview rounds.

How to choose the right college in Pune

• Check the right NIRF category. A university rank of 24 and an overall rank of 40 can describe the same institute. Compare like with like.
• Compare total cost, not just tuition. Deemed universities charge much more than government colleges; add hostel, mess and transport, as Pune rents are high in areas like Hinjewadi and Viman Nagar.
• Look at the campus location. Lavale, Hinjewadi and Loni Kalbhor are on the city's edge; daily travel from central Pune can take over an hour.
• Verify approvals. Check UGC, NMC, BCI or AICTE approval for your specific course on the regulator's site.
• Read placement reports. Use the institute's own NIRF data file (published on its website) for median salaries rather than headline packages.

Scholarships for students in Pune

Fees in Pune range from a few thousand rupees a year at aided colleges to several lakhs at deemed universities, so funding matters. Maharashtra students can apply on the MahaDBT portal for state schemes such as the Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj fee reimbursement and post-matric scholarships. Central schemes are listed on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

Merit-based options also help. The AISEE scholarship is a national exam that rewards Class 12 and college students with fee support for engineering, medical and other courses. College students can also browse our list of scholarships for college students.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best university in Pune in 2026?

By NIRF 2025, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) is the highest-ranked university in Pune at rank 24 in the University category, followed by Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (41), SPPU (56) and Bharati Vidyapeeth (59).

Which is the best medical college in Pune?

AFMC and B. J. Government Medical College are the top choices for low-cost MBBS seats. Among ranked institutes, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College in Pimpri is 12th in the NIRF 2025 Medical category, and Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth is 4th in Dental.

Is SPPU still a good choice after its NIRF rank fell?

Yes, for many students. SPPU dropped to 56 in the NIRF 2025 University category, but it is still 11th among state public universities and offers good postgraduate departments at government fees.

Which is the top MBA college in Pune?

SIBM Pune is the highest-ranked MBA college in the city, at rank 11 in the NIRF 2025 Management category. SCMHRD and PUMBA are other popular options.

Is there an IIT or IIM in Pune?

No. Pune has no IIT or IIM campus. Its Institutes of National Importance include IISER Pune, and its top engineering options include COEP Technological University.

Which is the oldest college in Pune?

Deccan College traces its roots to 1821, making it one of the oldest educational institutions in India. Among undergraduate colleges, Fergusson College, founded in 1885, is the best known.

Has NIRF 2026 been released?

At the time of writing we could not confirm published NIRF 2026 ranks, so this guide uses NIRF 2025. Check nirfindia.org for the latest edition before you finalise a choice.

Conclusion: using this list of colleges in Pune

This list of colleges in Pune covers the city's strongest options across streams, from Symbiosis and SPPU to AFMC, IISER Pune, ILS, Fergusson and FTII. Start with the entrance exams you are writing, shortlist three to five institutes from the tables above, and confirm fees, seat matrix and deadlines on each official website. Then line up scholarships early so that cost does not decide your college for you.