Home Articles Calicut University Vs MG University - Which is Better in 2025?

Calicut University Vs MG University - Which is Better in 2025?

University

Urmila Pokhriyal
Urmila Pokhriyal
Calicut University Vs MG University - Which is Better in 2025?

Choosing the right university is one of the most critical decisions for students pursuing higher education in Kerala. Two of the most prominent names that often come up are the University of Calicut and Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU). Both are public universities with a long-standing reputation in academics, research, and student development.

This article provides a comprehensive comparison of Calicut University vs MG University across various factors—academics, courses, NAAC grades, placements, infrastructure, distance education, and student experience

University Overview- MG University Vs Calicut University

The following is a brief description of both the Calicut University and MG University:

Feature

Calicut University

MG University

Established

1968

1983

Location

Thenjipalam, Malappuram district

Kottayam

Jurisdiction

Northern Kerala (Malappuram, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Thrissur, Wayanad)

Central Kerala (Kottayam, Ernakulam, Idukki, parts of Pathanamthitta)

Affiliated Colleges

400+

300+

NAAC Grade (2023)

A+

A++

Courses and Programs Offered- MG University Vs Calicut University

Both universities offer a wide range of UG, PG, MPhil, and PhD programs across arts, science, commerce, engineering, education, law, and management.

Calicut University Popular Courses

The following are the popular courses offered by Calicut University:

  • B.Com, BBA, BA English, BSc Mathematics
  • MBA, M.Com, MA Economics
  • B.Ed, LLB, M.Sc Chemistry
  • Distance MBA via School of Distance Education (SDE)

MG University Popular Courses

The following are the popular courses offered by MG University:

  • B.Sc Psychology, BBA, BA Political Science
  • MA Malayalam, M.Sc Data Analytics
  • MBA (School of Management and Business Studies)
  • Integrated PG and Honours programs
  • IMCA (Integrated MCA), new-age UG programs

Distance Education- MG Vs Calicut University

Both the Universities provide distance education. The following is the description of both:

Feature

Calicut University - SDE

MG University - SDE

UGC-DEB Approval

Approved

Approved till 2024; 2025 status pending final renewal

Programs Offered

MBA, BA, B.Com, MA, M.Com, MSc

BA, B.Com, MA, M.Com (fewer PG science and professional programs)

Digital Content Delivery

One of Kerala’s most active distance learning platforms

Slightly less active compared to Calicut

Faculty & Research- MG Vs Calicut University

Both the Universities have top-notch faculty and research. The differences between them is given below:

Calicut University

The following are the features of Calicut University’s faculty and research:

  • Strong faculty base in sciences, literature, and commerce
  • Publishes several UGC-listed journals
  • Collaborations with Kerala State Planning Board, ICSSR

MG University

The following are the features of MG University’s faculty and research:

  • Known for high-quality research in social sciences and environmental studies
  • Hosts the Inter-University Centre for Social Science Research and Extension (ICSSRE)
  • More research papers per faculty than Calicut in recent NIRF data

Placement & Career Support- Calicut Vs MG University

Both the universities have a strong placement record. The following are the placements of both the universities:

Calicut University Placement 2025

The following is the placement records of Calicut University:

Metric

Calicut University Placement 2025

Highest Package

₹12 LPA (Tech roles)

Average Package

₹4.2 LPA

Placement Support

Strong in affiliated engineering, management, and commerce colleges

Internship Partners

Active with Kerala Startup Mission

MG University Placement 2025

The following are the records of MG University’s placements in 2025:

Metric

MG University Placement 2025

Highest Package

₹10 LPA (Management and IT roles)

Average Package

₹4.5 LPA

Placement Support

Centralized placement cell + college-specific drives

Internship Initiatives

MGU-CAP (Career Assistance Portal) launched

Campus Infrastructure & Student Life- Calicut Vs MG University

Both the universities have great campus infrastructure and a lively student life. A brief description of each of their campus infrastructure and student life has been given below:

Admission Process 2025 - Calicut University Vs MG University

  • Both universities follow the Centralized Allotment Process (CAP) for UG & PG admissions
  • Entrance tests are required for select PG and PhD programs
  • CUET PG is accepted by some departments in both

Location & Accessibility

The location of these universities are given below:

Calicut University

Well-connected by road and rail (near Kozhikode), but some rural students face access challenges

MG University

Located in Kottayam with proximity to Kochi, easier access to academic and industrial hubs

Final Verdict- Calicut Vs MG University

The final comparison between both the universities is given below:

Criteria

Better University

Reason

NAAC Grade

MG University

MGU consistently performs better in rankings and accreditation.

Placements

MG University (slight)

MGU has slightly better average packages, especially in central colleges, but both universities offer decent placement support depending on the college and stream.

Distance Education

Calicut University

Calicut University is better for distance education in 2025—broader course offerings and stronger student support.

Research & Faculty

MG University

MG University leads in research and publication output, especially in social sciences and interdisciplinary studies.

Campus & Infrastructure

MG University

MGU offers a more tech-driven and modern campus life with excellent student engagement.

Course Variety

Tie

Both offer equally competitive programs, but MGU has a slight edge in innovative and integrated courses.

Student Engagement

MG University

MGU offers a more tech-driven and modern campus life with excellent student engagement.

Accessibility & Location

MG University

MGU’s location is more advantageous for internships and collaborations.

In 2025, MG University holds a slight edge overall, especially in rankings, research, student support, and placement consistency. However, Calicut University remains a strong choice, particularly for distance education, commerce, and traditional arts & science programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which university is better for Distance MBA in 2025?

Calicut University is a better choice for Distance MBA in 2025 due to its UGC-DEB-approved programs, wider course options, and more active digital learning ecosystem. Its School of Distance Education (SDE) offers better student support, including online classes and recorded content.

Which university has a better NAAC grade?

MG University currently has a higher NAAC grade (A++ in 2023) compared to Calicut University’s A+, indicating better performance in institutional governance, academic delivery, and quality parameters.

Is CUET PG mandatory for PG admissions in both universities?

CUET PG is accepted for some departments in both MG and Calicut Universities, especially for PG programs in high-demand subjects. However, both universities conduct their own entrance exams or follow CAP-based admissions for the majority of programs.

Which university is better for research?

MG University has an edge in research, particularly in social sciences, environment studies, and interdisciplinary programs. It also hosts the ICSSRE and reports a higher research paper output per faculty in recent years.

How do placements compare between Calicut and MG University?

Both universities provide decent placement opportunities, but MG University slightly leads in average package figures and has introduced centralized career support platforms like MGU-CAP. That said, Calicut performs strongly in engineering and management placements via affiliated colleges.

Which university has better infrastructure and student life?

MG University stands out with its more tech-driven campus, better connectivity to Kochi (an industrial hub), and more engaging student initiatives. Calicut University has a beautiful and large campus but is relatively more rural in accessibility.

Which university is more accessible for outstation students?

MG University, being closer to Kochi and with better urban access, is more favorable for students seeking proximity to cities, internships, and industry exposure. Calicut University, though well-connected, may be harder to reach for students from outside Kerala due to its more rural location.

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