When people talk about engineering in India, the first name that comes to mind is IIT. But do you know? IITs are not the only good colleges. Many non-IIT colleges are also giving very good education in AI and Data Science, and their students are getting great jobs with high salaries.
So, if you did not get into IIT, don’t worry. You still have many great options. Let’s see the top 10 non-IIT colleges for AI and Data Science in India.
1. NIT Trichy
NIT Trichy is very famous for its engineering. It offers a strong course in Data Analytics. Students from here get very good placements with average salaries of ₹10–14 lakh per year.
2. VIT Vellore
Among India’s most well-known private universities is VIT. Its specialty courses include artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data engineering. Students also receive good job offers and internships, with annual salaries ranging from ₹8 to ₹10 lakh.
3. Jadavpur University, Kolkata
Because Jadavpur is a government university, fees is extremely cheap. It provides quality training in data science and artificial intelligence. For such low fees, the average salary of ₹6–8 lakh is excellent.
4. SRM Institute of Science and Technology
SRM has modern labs and very good facilities. Its AI and Data Science programs give both theory and practical knowledge. Average salaries are between ₹7–9 lakh per year.
5. Anna University, Chennai
Anna University is very strong in research. It has projects in AI, robotics, and healthcare. Students here get placements with average packages of ₹6–7 lakh per year.
6. NIT Surathkal
This NIT is well known for its courses in AI and Data Engineering. Students often get very high-paying jobs, some even above ₹40 lakh per year.
7. NIT Rourkela
Healthcare analytics and machine learning are among the emerging technologies that NIT Rourkela is concentrating on. With average yearly salaries of ₹14–16 lakh, many high-profile businesses hire from here.
8. BITS Pilani
One of India’s top private universities is BITS Pilani. It offers excellent courses in data science and artificial intelligence. Students from this area frequently land jobs at major corporations like Google and Microsoft, earning ₹20 lakh or more.
9. NIT Warangal
NIT Warangal is known for its research in AI for smart cities and healthcare. Its average placements are ₹14–18 lakh, and some students get very high packages.
10. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
This university in Coimbatore is growing really fast, and it is becoming a popular choice among students. It offers both B.Tech and M.Tech programs in AI and Data Science that are designed to match industry needs. What makes it stand out is that students here are getting placed in well-known companies like TCS, Zoho, and Cisco.
Quick Comparison of Colleges
| College / University | Programs in AI & Data Science | Avg. Salary Package | Special Feature |
| NIT Trichy | Data Analytics | ₹10–14 LPA | National reputation, good placements |
| VIT Vellore | Data engineering, ML, and AI | ₹8–10 LPA | Good industry connections and internships |
| Jadavpur University | AI & DS programs | ₹6–8 LPA | Low fees, best value for money |
| SRM Institute | CSE with Data Science | ₹7–9 LPA | Modern labs, industry exposure |
| Anna University | AI & DS research programs | ₹6–7 LPA | Leading research in robotics, AI |
| NIT Surathkal | AI/Data Engineering | ₹15–20 LPA | Very high salary offers |
| NIT Rourkela | AI/DS specializations | ₹14–16 LPA | Focus on healthcare & machine learning |
| BITS Pilani | AI & DS electives | ₹18–22 LPA | Global recruiters, flexible learning |
| NIT Warangal | AI/DS programs | ₹14–18 LPA | Research in smart city solutions |
| Amrita University | B.Tech & M.Tech AI & DS | ₹7–8 LPA | Consistent placements, good companies |
Why These Colleges Are Great Choices
- Updated courses: The programs match the latest global AI and Data Science trends.
- High placements: Many students get jobs with salaries above ₹10 lakh per year.
- Different options: You can choose low-fee government universities or modern private colleges.
- Research work: Many of these institutes have labs and projects in AI, healthcare, and robotics.
Final Thoughts
In India, the need for experts in AI and data science is growing rapidly. Yes, everyone is aware of how well-known IITs are, but many people are not aware that these non-IIT colleges are also highly competitive due to their excellent placement records and high ability of instruction.
Therefore, don’t limit your attention to IITs if you intend to pursue a career in artificial intelligence. In reality, your ideal career might be waiting to start at one of these universities.
Rajakumar