Top non-IIT B.Tech colleges offering AI and Data Science: Rankings, placements, and key highlights

Rising Stars Beyond IIT: Leading Colleges for AI & Data Science

While IITs often dominate the narrative around AI and Data Science education in India, several non-IIT institutions—including NITs, IIITs, and private/university colleges—are rapidly advancing in these fields. Here’s a curated look at the top 10 non-IIT colleges excelling in this domain, based on rankings, placements, research output, and infrastructure.

Top 10 Colleges in Focus (Non-IIT)

Spotlight on the Top 5 Institutions

1. NIT Tiruchirappalli (NIT Trichy)

• Program: Offers a M.Tech in Data Analytics (started 2017) under its Department of Computer Applications

• Rankings: Secured #9 in NIRF Engineering 2024 

• Program Fees & Seats: Tuition fee approx. 1.4lakh; total fee ~2.28lakh; intake of 28 seats 

• Cutoffs (GATE + CCMT):

  • General: 749 → 702

  • OBC: 702 → 648

  • SC: 568 → 510 

• Placements:

  • B.Tech CSE: Placement rate ~95.6%, highest package 52.89LPA, average 27.2LPA 

  • PG (M.Tech): Placement rate ~100% for specializations like Data Analytics; highest package across branches ~52.89LPA 

2. Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)

• Programs:

  • B.Tech in AI & Machine Learning

  • B.Tech in AI & Data Engineering

  • B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering (Data Science)
    These cover cybersecurity, NLP, data visualization, open-source programming, etc. 

• Admissions: Through VITEEE for B.Tech, VITMEE for M.Tech, and VITREE for PhD T

• Placement Trends: VIT is consistently recognized for strong placement outcomes among private engineering institutions (generic reference)

3. Jadavpur University

• Programs:

  • M.Tech in AI & Data Science (evening, 3-year)

  • M.Tech in Computer Technology with specialization in AI & Data Science (6-semester evening)

  • Certificate (6-month) in AI & Data Science for Class 12 maths students—fee 20,000, intake 30 

• Admissions: Via WBJEE counseling (merit-based)

• Placements: Among non-IIT government colleges, Jadavpur University B.Tech average packages reach 23.6LPA 

4. S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST)

• Program: B.Tech in CSE with Data Science specialization; intake ~120 students; annual fee ~4.75lakh; admission via SRMJEEE (UG) 

• Placement Insights: Known for good placement records similar to top private institutes (context from broader reports) 

5. Anna University

• Programs & Research:

  • UG/PG/PhD offerings in ML, cloud computing, computer vision, IoT.

  • Home to CAInDRA (Centre for AI & Data Science Research & Applications) established in April 2022, focusing on healthcare, autonomous systems, weather, and ocean applications 

• Admissions: Conducted through single-window system based on scaled higher secondary marks 

• Reputation: Longstanding government institution with strong regional and national presence (implied through ranking inclusion).

6. NIT Karnataka, Surathkal 

• Programs: Offers B.Tech in Computer Science with electives in AI, ML, and Data Science, alongside M.Tech in Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering.

• Admissions: Through JEE Main → JoSAA counseling for UG, and GATE → CCMT counseling for PG.

• Research & Infrastructure: Houses advanced AI labs under the Department of Computer Science & Engineering with active projects in deep learning, IoT, and natural language processing.

• Placements: Consistently high—top recruiters include Microsoft, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs. CSE graduates have secured packages up to 45 LPA, with average packages in 15–20 LPA range.

7. NIT Rourkela 

• Programs: B.Tech in CSE with specializations in AI & Data Science electives; M.Tech courses focusing on AI and ML applications.

• Admissions: UG admissions via JEE Main + JoSAA; PG via GATE + CCMT.

• Highlights: Strong academic culture with research projects funded by SERB, DST, and MeitY in the field of AI and healthcare informatics.

• Placements: Average package for CSE/AI students is 14–16 LPA; highest offers go beyond 50 LPA, especially in data-driven roles.

8. BITS Pilani (Rank 20)

• Programs:

  • B.E. (Hons.) in Computer Science with electives in AI, Data Science, and Big Data Analytics.

  • M.Sc. (Tech) in Data Science & Engineering.

• Admissions: Via BITSAT for UG programs and separate entrance exams for PG.

• Strengths: Globally recognized private institution with emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation.

• Placements: Known for premium recruiters like Google, Adobe, and Facebook. CSE/AI roles fetch packages as high as 60+ LPA, with average packages for data-focused roles in 18–22 LPA.

9. NIT Warangal 

• Programs: Offers B.Tech in CSE with AI/DS electives and M.Tech in AI & Data Science (recently introduced).

• Admissions: UG via JEE Main → JoSAA counseling; PG via GATE → CCMT.

• Research Centers: The Centre for Artificial Intelligence works on AI-driven solutions in healthcare, robotics, and smart city applications.

• Placements: Strong placement record with 95%+ placements in CSE. Highest offers touch 45 LPA, with averages ranging from 14–18 LPA.

10. Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Rank 23)

• Programs:

  • B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science (4 years).

  • M.Tech in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.

• Admissions: UG via AEEE exam or JEE Main rank; PG via GATE or Amrita’s entrance test.

• Special Highlights:

  • Strong collaborations with international universities for AI research.

  • Recognized for applied research in cybersecurity, NLP, and bioinformatics.

• Placements: Amrita boasts an impressive placement record, with average CSE/AI packages between 8–12 LPA, and top offers exceeding 40 LPA

Summary Table (Ranks 9–27)

Why These Colleges Shine in AI & Data Science

• Specialist Programs: Many offer dedicated B.Tech or M.Tech streams in AI, ML, Data Science, and Data Analytics.

• Robust Admissions Channels: From JEE Main (for NITs) and VITEEE to WBJEE and SRMJEEE—each has its structured process.

• High Placement Success:

  • NIT Trichy’s Data Analytics PG courses show near-perfect placements.

  • Jadavpur University B.Tech grads earn above 23 LPA on average.

  • VIT and SRMIST boast consistently strong campus hiring.

• Centers of Research & Innovation: Colleges like Anna University demonstrate commitment to cutting-edge interdisciplinary AI research.

• Diverse Institutional Types: The list covers national institutes (NITs), private tech universities (VIT, SRM), and state government universities (Jadavpur, Anna) offering varied learning environments.

Highlights

India’s landscape for AI and Data Science education is richer than ever, with several non-IIT institutions rising to prominence. Whether you prefer strong industry placements (like NIT Trichy), cutting-edge research (like Anna University), or highly specialized tech programs (like VIT and SRMIST), excellent alternatives to IITs abound.

If you'd like, I can also create ranking tables, compare course fees, or analyze admission processes for each of these colleges.