Top Design Colleges in India 2025: Rankings, Fees, Admission, Courses & Placements

As you know, UI/UX design is a field that is growing day by day because every business needs people who can create user-friendly websites and applications that attract more users. In India, there are multiple colleges offering UI/UX design courses to help you learn the required skills. Whether you are a beginner who wants to learn designing from the basics or an experienced designer who wants to level up their skills, these colleges will help you achieve your goal.

In this blog, we will see the top design colleges in India that offer the best UI/UX design courses in 2025. So let’s take a look at where you should learn the required skills to get a successful career in the design field.

Table of Contents:

• What is UI/UX Design?
• Why You Should Learn UI/UX Design?
• Criteria for Ranking Design Colleges
• Top Design Colleges in India 2025
  1. National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad
  2. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi
  3. Industrial Design Centre (IDC), IIT Bombay
  4. Department of Design, IIT Guwahati
  5. Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology
  6. MIT Institute of Design
  7. Pearl Academy, Bengaluru
  8. National Institute of Design (NID), Bengaluru
  9. National Institute of Design (NID), Kurukshetra
  10. Department of Design, IIT Delhi
• Campus Life and Student Facilities
• Conclusion

What is UI/UX Design?

UI/UX design is the process of designing websites, apps, and digital products so that they are both visually appealing and easy to use.

• UI (User Interface) design is about how everything on the screen looks, like colors, buttons, icons, fonts, and layout.
• UX (User Experience) design is about how a person feels while using the product. It makes sure that the product is simple, smooth, and helpful.

Why You Should Learn UI/UX Design?

UI/UX design is a great skill to learn, and here’s why:

1. Lots of Jobs Available: Every company wants its app or website to look good and work well. That’s why they need UI/UX designers. So, you’ll have more chances to get a job.
2. Good Salary and Work from Anywhere: UI/UX designers can earn good money, and many of them work from home or freelance from anywhere in the world.
3. No Coding Needed to Start: You don’t need to be a programmer. You can begin with just your ideas and creativity.
4. Fun and Creative Work: If you like colors, layouts, and coming up with cool designs, you’ll enjoy UI/UX. It’s a mix of art and problem-solving.
5. You Help People: Your designs can make websites and apps easy and fun to use. You help people have a better experience.
6. Useful for Many Careers: UI/UX is helpful even if you want to become a developer, marketer, business owner, or product manager.

Criteria for Ranking Design Colleges

Keep these points in mind while ranking design colleges to ensure every student gets the best education and opportunities. Let’s go through one by one:

1. Course Structure: A design college should have a good syllabus that covers all topics in UI/UX design. The course should be updated according to the current industry’s requirements..
2. Teachers and Faculty: A design college should have experienced and qualified teachers who know all about the latest design trends. A qualified teacher will guide you theoretically as well as practically..
3. Facilities: A design college should have modern classrooms with the latest technologies and other resources, like libraries that help the students stay updated.
4. Industry Connections: Colleges should have strong industry connections to help students find better job opportunities in the design field.
5. Job Placements: Colleges should have a good track record of job placements that show the students are well-prepared for the industry.
6. IIRF Ranking: IIRF stands for Indian Institutional Ranking Framework. It is a non-governmental framework that ranks Indian educational institutions based on academic performance, industry integration, external perception, and other key factors.

Top Design Colleges in India 2025

In India, there are many good design colleges, be it both government and private. If you graduate from these design colleges, you will find suitable job opportunities in the industry. Here are some of the best design colleges in India:

NOTE:

• The fees shown are for one year and can be a little different depending on the course.
• Scholarships are more easily available in government colleges. Some private colleges also give scholarships based on your scores or financial need.
• Placement rates tell how many students got jobs or started their own business or went for higher studies after finishing the course.

1. National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad

The National Institute of Design (NID) in Ahmedabad is one of the most prestigious design institutes in India. It was founded in 1961 and is run by the GOI (Government of India). It provides Bachelor of Design (B.Des) and Master of Design (M.Des) courses. The main campus is in Ahmedabad, but there are other branches in Gandhinagar and Bengaluru too. The faculty makes sure that students are taught design courses most innovatively, with the help of practical methods.

Key Highlights:

• IIRF Ranking 2024: 1st
• Type: Government
• Popular Courses: B.Des, M.Des
• Average Fees: ₹2,00,000 – ₹2,50,000 per year
• Average Salary: ₹12 – ₹15 Lakhs per annum
• Placement Rate: 95%
• Entrance Exam: NID DAT
• Alumni Insight: Known for alumni like Udaya Kumar (₹ symbol designer); strong focus on real-world design thinking.

NOTE:

NID has multiple branches, including campuses in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Kurukshetra. To apply in these institutes, you can visit the NID Official page: National Institute of Design (NID)

2. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Delhi is one of the best fashion design schools in India. It was founded in 1986 and is known as the leading institute in fashion design. NIFT provides courses like Bachelor of Fashion Technology (B.FTech), Bachelor of Fashion Design (B.Des), and Master of Fashion Design (M.Des). It also offers a certificate in User Experience and Interface in Fashion and Textiles (UX-FT). The main campus is in Delhi, but there are other branches of NIFT all over India. NIFT provides students with great knowledge of fashion and design.

Key Highlights:

• IIRF Ranking 2024: 9th
• Type: Government
• Popular Courses: B.Des, M.FTech, M.Des
• Average Fees: ₹2,50,000 – ₹3,00,000 per year
• Average Salary: ₹5 – ₹7 Lakhs per annum
• Placement Rate: 90%
• Entrance Exam: NIFT Entrance Exam
• Alumni Insight: Graduates excel in various fields; strong creative and industry-oriented training.

3. Industrial Design Centre (IDC), IIT Bombay

The Industrial Design Centre (IDC) in IIT Bombay is a very popular design school in India. It was founded in 1969, and it provides courses in Industrial Design, Animation, and Vehicle Design. They teach their students to solve real-world problems using creativity and technical skills. The campus of IDC is located in Mumbai. The teachers at IDC are well-experienced, and they help students become future leaders in the design field.

Key Highlights:

• IIRF Ranking 2024: 4th
• Type: Government
• Popular Courses: B.Des, M.Des, Ph.D. in Design
• Average Fees: ₹2,00,000 – ₹2,50,000 per year
• Average Salary: ₹10 – ₹12 Lakhs per annum
• Placement Rate: 93%
• Entrance Exam: UCEED (B.Des), CEED (M.Des)
• Alumni Insight: Produced top innovators like Pranav Mistry; great for UX and product design careers.

4. Department of Design, IIT Guwahati

The Department of Design (DoD) at IIT Guwahati is one of the best design schools in India that unites design with technology. It provides courses like B.Des, M.Des, and Ph.D. that help their students become professional designers. DoD teaches its students to create designs that are useful and that everyone can easily understand. The DoD campus is located in Guwahati, Assam. DoD’s students work on projects related to graphic design, user experience (UX), and design management. 

Key Highlights:

• IIRF Ranking 2024: 7th
• Type: Government
• Popular Courses: B.Des, M.Des, Ph.D. in Design
• Average Fees: ₹2,00,000 – ₹2,50,000 per year
• Average Salary: ₹9 – ₹11 Lakhs per annum
• Placement Rate: 92%
• Entrance Exam: UCEED (B.Des), CEED (M.Des)
• Alumni Insight: Alumni placed in Flipkart, Microsoft; strong practical and technical exposure.

5. Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology

Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology is a very popular design school in Bengaluru. It was started in 1996, and it provides courses in design, art, animation, and technology for undergraduates, postgraduates, and doctoral students. Srishti Manipal teaches students to solve real-world problems using creativity and practical knowledge. This institute combines art, design, and technology to prepare its students to be successful in the design field.

Key Highlights:

• IIRF Ranking 2024: 24th
• Type: Private
• Popular Courses: B.Des in Visual Communication, M.Des
• Average Fees: ₹5,00,000 – ₹6,00,000 per year
• Average Salary: ₹4 – ₹6 Lakhs per annum
• Placement Rate: 85%
• Entrance Exam: SEAT
• Alumni Insight: Graduates like Keerthana Dubey work in top design firms; good for interdisciplinary learning.

6. MIT Institute of Design

MIT Institute of Design (MITID) is a very famous design college in Pune. It was started in 2006, and it provides courses like B.Des and M.Des in product design, graphic design, UX design, fashion, and animation. It is a part of the MIT Group of Institutions and is connected to Savitribai Phule Pune University. MITID gives its students many opportunities to learn from experts and participate in international programs.

Key Highlights:

• IIRF Ranking 2024: 9th
• Type: Private
• Popular Courses: B.Des, M.Des
• Average Fees: ₹4,00,000 – ₹5,00,000 per year
• Average Salary: ₹6 – ₹8 Lakhs per annum
• Placement Rate: 88%
• Entrance Exam: MITID DAT
• Alumni Insight: Alumni like Supriya Ugale succeed in UI/UX; strong industry-oriented curriculum.

7. Pearl Academy, Bengaluru

Pearl Academy is a very famous art and design college in India. It was started in 1993, and has many campuses in different cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Bengaluru. It provides courses in fashion design, UI/UX design, media, business, and interior design. The students of Pearl Academy work on practical projects and attain real-world experience. This institute works with many design groups and international schools, which provide great job opportunities for students.

Key Highlights:

• IIRF Ranking 2024: 10th
• Type: Private
• Popular Courses: BA in Communication Design, Fashion Design, and Interior Design
• Average Fees: ₹5,00,000 – ₹6,00,000 per year
• Average Salary: ₹3 – ₹5 Lakhs per annum
• Placement Rate: 80%
• Entrance Exam: Pearl Academy Entrance Exam
• Alumni Insight: Alumni like Bhavya Jain praise hands-on training in real-world design projects.

8. National Institute of Design (NID), Bengaluru

The National Institute of Design (NID) in Bengaluru is also a very famous design college. It was started in 2006, and it provides a 2.5-year M.Des course in Game Design, Interaction Design, Information Design, Universal Design, and Retail Experience Design. Students need to clear the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) to get admission in this college. It mainly focuses on modern design with the help of technology. The campus is located in Yeswanthpur, Bengaluru.

Key Highlights:

• IIRF Ranking 2024: 2nd
• Type: Government
• Popular Courses: M.Des
• Average Fees: ₹2,00,000 – ₹2,50,000 per year
• Average Salary: ₹10 – ₹12 Lakhs per annum
• Placement Rate: 90%
• Entrance Exam: NID DAT
• Alumni Insight: Grads work in UX, game design; modern and industry-aligned focus.

9. National Institute of Design (NID), Kurukshetra

The National Institute of Design (NID) in Kurukshetra is a very reputed design college in Haryana. It was started in 2016, and it provides undergraduate courses in Industrial Design, Communication Design, and Textile & Apparel Design. The campus provides modern facilities like workshops, computer labs, a library, and sports areas. Students need to clear the NID Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT) to get admission in this college.

Key Highlights:

• IIRF Ranking 2024: 8th
• Type: Government
• Popular Courses: B.Des
• Average Fees: ₹2,00,000 – ₹2,50,000 per year
• Average Salary: ₹8 – ₹10 Lakhs per annum
• Placement Rate: 87%
• Entrance Exam: NID DAT
• Alumni Insight: Young campus; alumni gaining traction in UX roles and startups.

10. Department of Design, IIT Delhi

The Department of Design (DoD) at IIT Delhi is a great design college. It was started in 2017, and it provides courses for undergraduates, postgraduates, and doctoral-level students in industrial design, communication design, and product design. Students need to clear entrance exams like UCEED for B.Des and CEED for M.Des to get admission in this college. It provides great facilities and experienced teachers, which makes DoD a great choice for design students.

Key Highlights:

• IIRF Ranking 2024: 3rd
• Type: Government
• Popular Courses: M.Des (Master of Design), Ph.D. in Design
• Average Fees: ₹2,00,000 – ₹2,50,000 per year
• Average Salary: ₹9 – ₹11 Lakhs per annum
• Placement Rate: 90%
• Entrance Exam: CEED (for M.Des)
• Alumni Insight: Alumni work in UX strategy, HCI; strong in research and innovation.

Campus Life and Student Facilities

These top design colleges in India don’t just provide good education, but also provide a good college experience to make sure every student stays healthy and can enjoy learning. Let us see what these colleges provide so students can enjoy their college life.

1. Hostel Facilities

Most of these top colleges (like NID, IITs, Srishti, MITID, etc.) have on-campus hostels and provide everything that you need for a comfortable stay, like:

• Separate hostels for boys and girls with 24/7 security.
• Furnished rooms are available in single, double, or shared options.
• Mess facilities provide nutritious meals with different food options.
• Wi-Fi, study halls, and common spaces for students to relax and focus.
• Laundry services and medical facilities for safety.

2. Libraries & Learning Spaces

A good library is an important part of student life, and these design colleges provide great academic resources, like:

• Huge collection of books that cover different subjects.
• Digital libraries with e-books, research papers, and online journals.
• Reading and discussion areas for group studies.

3. Extracurricular Activities and Student Clubs

Design students don’t just study. They also play, perform, and create outside the classroom:

• Sports: Football, cricket, badminton, table tennis, and more.
• Cultural clubs: Dance, drama, music, film-making, and storytelling.
• Tech & design clubs: UX/UI, animation, graphic design, and coding.
• Entrepreneurship cells: For students who want to start their own design studio or business.
• Annual fests: There are big events and design showcases where students perform, compete, and celebrate.

4. Health and Wellness Support

Student health is as important as grades, so that’s why these colleges offer:

• On-campus medical centres with doctors and emergency care.
• Mental health counsellors to help students manage stress, anxiety, or any personal issues.
• Fitness centres and gyms with yoga and workout places.

Conclusion

Choosing the right design college in India is a really important decision. First, you have to check the college’s ranking to make sure it provides a good education. Then, you have to look at the available courses to make sure they provide what you want to study. The quality of the teachers and the facilities is also important for a good learning experience. Finally, you can check the placement opportunities. You can look at how many students get placed and which companies come for hiring.

Top Design Colleges in India 2025 – FAQs