For JEE applicants, selecting between NIT Calicut and IIIT Kottayam for Computer Science Engineering (CSE) is a crucial choice. Both institutes offer strong academics, modern infrastructure, and respectable placements, but they differ in legacy, exposure, and cost.
NIT Calicut, being older and more established, offers a broader alumni network and average CSE placement packages of around ₹13.4 LPA, with the highest going up to ₹50 LPA.
IIIT Kottayam, on the other hand, is growing rapidly despite being a newer institution. It offers targeted CSE instruction and a maximum package of ₹47 LPA, with an average of about ₹11.27 LPA.
NIT Calicut's four-year B.Tech fees are roughly ₹5.9 lakh, while IIIT Kottayam's is around ₹8.7 lakh, making NIT more economical altogether. This article offers a detailed comparison of placements, fees, campus life, internships, recruiters, and more, helping you decide based on what matters most to you: reputation, affordability, or emerging potential.
1. Campus Origins & Standing
NIT Calicut
- It was established in 1961 as the Calicut Regional Engineering College and converted to an NIT in 2002. It’s an Institute of National Importance under the NIT Act passed by Parliament. Its sprawling rural campus spans around 120 hectares.
- NIT Calicut is situated near Chathamangalam, Kerala, about 22 kilometers from Kozhikode. The campus is spread over greenery, hills, and a calm, rural atmosphere. It's well-connected to the city but still gives a peaceful, focused environment for students. The climate is humid but moderate throughout the year.
IIIT Kottayam
- It was founded in 2015 under the PPP model and granted Institute of National Importance status in 2017, is located in Valavoor, Kottayam (Kerala). It involves central and state government support along with industry partners.
- The permanent campus is still developing, but it sits in a quiet and scenic area with a pleasant climate and natural beauty. While more isolated compared to NITC, the area is clean, less crowded, and gives students fewer distractions.
2. Fee Structure Breakdown
NIT Calicut has a tiered fee scheme based on income and category:
- ₹1.42 lakh (open/EWS/OBC-NCL, income above ₹5 lakh).
- ₹1.00 lakh (income ₹1–5 lakh)
- ₹80,100 (SC/ST/PwD or income under ₹1 lakh) – this covers all admission and institutional fees.
Over four-years, IIIT Kottayam charges a fixed cost of approximately ₹11.96 lakh. This includes:
- ₹1.45 lakh per semester tuition
- Hostel & maintenance fees (starting ~₹34,000/year, increasing slightly each year)
- ₹30,750 per semester mess advance
- Miscellaneous expenses like insurance, equipment, and deposits.
Fee Type | NIT Calicut (Approx.) | IIIT Kottayam (Approx.) |
Tuition Fee (per year) | ₹1.62 lakh | ₹1.9 lakh |
Total 4-Year Fee | ₹6.5 – ₹7 lakh | ₹7.6 lakh |
Hostel & Mess Charges | ₹25,000 – ₹30,000/year | ₹34,000 – ₹40,000/year |
3. NIRF Rankings
- NIT Calicut ranked 25th among engineering institutions in NIRF 2024 with a score of 61.19. Its management department is ranked 76th (score 47.55).
- IIIT Kottayam did not feature in the NIRF engineering rankings.
4. Placement Performance
The table below shows the placement performance by both universities:
Criteria | NIT Calicut (CSE) | IIIT Kottayam (CSE) |
Highest Package | ₹50 LPA | ₹47 LPA |
Average Package | ₹13.89 LPA (BTech CSE) | ₹13.5 LPA |
Median Package | ₹10.5 LPA (BTech CSE) | ₹9.1 LPA |
Overall Average Package | ₹13.45 LPA (across BTech) | ₹13.5 LPA (CSE only) |
Top Recruiters | Microsoft, Oracle, Google, etc. | Amazon, Nvidia, Adobe, etc. |
International Offers | Yes | Yes |
Placement Percentage | 92%+ | 90%+ |
Internship Opportunities | Strong via Career Cell | Core internship programs |
NIT Calicut (2024 CSE placements):
- Highest CTC: ₹50.64 LPA
- Average CTC: ₹19.37 LPA
- Overall average (all UG): ₹12.41 LPA
- 96.77% placement rate
- 208 recruiters, including those from Amazon, Oracle, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, Atlassian, and Cisco, made 1,080+ offers.
IIIT Kottayam (recent years):
- 2020–21: Highest ₹36 LPA, average ₹9.07 LPA, 97 offers, 44 placed
- 2021–22: Highest ₹42 LPA, average ₹10.45 LPA, 67 placed.
5. Academic Programs & Seats
NIT Calicut provides a core B.Tech in CSE, as well as other IIT-level degrees in a variety of engineering areas.
IIIT Kottayam offers:
- B.Tech CSE (Core)
- CSE with AI & Data Science
- CSE with Cyber Security
- ECE
- M.Tech in AI & Data Science, Cyber Security, Big Data & Machine Learning
- MS dual degree & PhD programs in CS and ECE
Seats in CSE total to 556 across all branches via JEE Main & state HSC scores.
6. Campus & Amenities
NIT Calicut:
- Sixteen hostels (13 for boys, 4 for girls), with LAN, TV rooms, indoor games & cafeterias.
- Central library with over 100,000 books and digital resources via the Nalanda system.
- Active incubator for tech startups via DST & NSTEDB funding.
- Annual tech festTathva and cultural festRagam draw wide participation.
IIIT Kottayam:
- Permanent green campus planned with solar/wind energy
- Located near Kottayam railway station (~33 km) and Cochin airport (~67 km).
Summary: Which One Should You Choose?
This comparison will help you choose any one between the two universities:
Feature | NIT Calicut | IIIT Kottayam |
Reputation | NIRF #25 (Engineering) | Newer, no ranking yet |
Fees | Income-based, ₹0–1.42 L/sem | Flat ₹1.45 L/sem + extras |
Placements (CSE) | Avg ₹19.37 LPA, 96.8% rate | Avg ₹9–10 LPA, growing track |
Infrastructure | Established campus & fest culture | Emerging campus with modern design |
Course Options | Standard B.Tech CSE | Multiple CSE specializations |
- Choose NIT Calicut if you prefer a longer legacy, better NIRF standing, fully developed campus, and high median salaries with strong placement consistency.
- Choose IIIT Kottayam if you want a focused, tech-centric environment, are comfortable with PPP-style campus facilities, and are encouraged by its impressive placement growth in CSE.
Although both universities have excellent CSE degrees, your decision should take into account your priorities: stability and traditional infrastructure against tech-specific innovation and new momentum.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for CSE – NIT Calicut or IIIT Kottayam?
IIIT Kottayam lacks the campus infrastructure, more seasoned faculty, and superior placements of NIT Calicut.
What is the average CSE placement at NIT Calicut?
The CSE packages offered by NIT Calicut typically cost between ₹14 and 15 LPA, with the best offers going above ₹30 LPA.
What is the average CSE placement at IIIT Kottayam?
While some candidates obtain larger offers, IIIT Kottayam's typical CSE package is between ₹11 and 12 LPA.
Which institute has better coding culture?
NIT Calicut has a stronger, older coding culture with more exposure and alumni network, though IIIT Kottayam is catching up.
What are the fees for B.Tech CSE at both colleges?
The cost of four years at NIT Calicut is approximately ₹5.8–6.2 lakh. The cost of IIIT Kottayam is approximately ₹7.6 lakh.
Which college has a better campus environment?
NIT Calicut has a large, green campus near Kozhikode city. IIIT Kottayam is still developing, in a quieter setting near hills and forests.
Are placements at IIIT Kottayam reliable?
Although they are getting better every year, particularly in software and product sectors, placements are still not as reliable as NITs.
Should I choose location or placement while deciding?
Concentrate on your studies and placements. NIT Calicut offers a more stable environment overall, while IIIT Kottayam suits those okay with a newer campus and higher risk.
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