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.