Design as a profession is becoming super popular among creative brains in India. From interior design to UI/UX and industrial design, the demand for good designers is increasing across industries. If you are about to enter this wonderful world, it is important to select the right design college. This article discusses the best design colleges in India for 2025 according to rankings, fees, entrance exams, and career opportunities.
For detailed comparisons, genuine student reviews, and the most recent admission notifications, check out Kollegeapply — your go-to guide for choosing a college in India.
Why pursue a career in Design?
Design is not just about looks — it's about designing real-life solutions with creativity, user-centricity, and visual communication. Design careers can open doors to work opportunities in:
Fashion and clothing
Product and industrial design
Communication and graphic design
Animation and game design
User experience (UX) and interface (UI) design
India has a number of premier institutions that develop design talent with international-standard infrastructure and international exposure.
Best Design Colleges in India 2025
Below is the list of most sought-after and industry-recommended best design colleges in India that you must look out for in 2025 admissions:
1. National Institute of Design (NID) – Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar & Bengaluru
Courses: B.Des, M.Des
Admission Test: NID DAT Prelims & Mains
Fees: Around ₹3.5–₹4.5 lakh per year
Highlights: Top government school, internationally ranked, best for industrial and communications design.
2. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) – Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, etc.
Courses: B.Des, M.Des, B.FTech, M.FTech
Entrance Exam: NIFT Entrance Test
Fees: ₹2.5–₹3.2 lakh per year
Highlights: Best for fashion design and textile design, with excellent placements at top fashion houses.
3. MIT Institute of Design, Pune
Courses: B.Des, M.Des
Entrance Exam: MIT DAT
Fees: ₹4–₹5 lakh per year
Highlights: Good at product design, animation, and strategic design thinking.
4. Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology – Bangalore
Programs: B.Des, M.Des, BFA
Entrance Exam: SMAT (Srishti Entrance Exam)
Fees: ₹4.2–₹5.5 lakh per year
Highlights: Popular for contemporary design practices, UX/UI, and multidisciplinary learning.
5. Pearl Academy – Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bangalore
Programs: Fashion Design, Interior Design, Communication Design
Entrance Exam: Pearl Entrance Exam + Interview
Fees: ₹5–₹6 lakh per year
Highlights: Strong industry connections, international exposure, and innovative mentorship.
For a personalized comparison of these institutions, check for fresh data and rankings on Kollegeapply.
Design Entrance Exams 2025
To get into the best design colleges in India, students will have to prepare for competitive entrance tests. These are the important ones:
NID DAT (for NID)
NIFT Entrance Exam (for NIFT)
UCEED (for IIT Bombay, IIT Guwahati, IITDM Jabalpur)
MIT DAT (for MIT Pune)
Pearl Academy Entrance
Srishti SMAT
Fee Structure Overview
Fees differ based on the type of college (government vs. private), course specialization, and location. On average:
Government colleges (NID, NIFT): ₹2–₹4.5 lakh/year
Private institutes (Pearl, MIT, Srishti): ₹4–₹6 lakh/year
Utilize Kollegeapply to compare fee structures, scholarships, hostel fees, and return on investment (ROI) before deciding.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the appropriate design college can be the key to a fulfilling and innovative profession. The best design colleges in India provide internationally integrated curricula, accomplished faculty, state-of-the-art labs, and excellent placement rates.
For expert advice, admission notifications, entrance preparation tips, and individual counseling, visit Kollegeapply — your single-point solution for searching India's top design schools.
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