Uttar Pradesh (UP), a state in northern India, is home to some of the most prestigious and renowned universities in the country. With a rich educational heritage, these universities offer a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs.
Why Choose Uttar Pradesh for Higher Education?
Uttar Pradesh boasts a diverse academic environment with institutions that cater to various fields of study. Whether you’re interested in engineering, medical sciences, law, or humanities, UP’s universities have a program for everyone. The state’s education system is continually evolving, with increasing emphasis on research, infrastructure, and global collaborations.
Here are some of the best universities in Uttar Pradesh that stand out in terms of academic excellence, infrastructure, and placement opportunities.
1. Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
Ranking: BHU is consistently ranked among the top universities in India by NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) and other prominent ranking agencies.
Admission 2025: BHU conducts the BHU UET (Undergraduate Entrance Test) and BHU PET (Postgraduate Entrance Test) for admissions. Admission is based on merit, and candidates must fulfill eligibility criteria as per the course they are applying for.
Fees: The fee structure varies depending on the program, but for undergraduate courses, the average fee is around INR 12,000 to INR 15,000 per year.
Placements: BHU has a robust placement record with top companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and others frequently visiting the campus for recruitment. The placement rate hovers around 80-85%, with average salary packages ranging from INR 5 LPA to INR 12 LPA.
Cut-Off: The cut-off for BHU varies every year based on the exam and the course. For general category students, the undergraduate cut-off may range from 100 to 250 marks out of 400.
2. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur
Ranking: IIT Kanpur is one of the leading IITs in India, ranked among the top 10 engineering institutions in the country by NIRF.
Admission 2025: Admission to undergraduate programs is through the JEE Advanced examination, while postgraduate programs require GATE scores. The admission process for 2025 will follow these procedures, with exact dates to be announced soon.
Fees: The annual fees for undergraduate programs at IIT Kanpur are approximately INR 2.2 Lakhs, while the fee for postgraduate programs varies between INR 40,000 to INR 1 Lakh per semester.
Placements: IIT Kanpur has a stellar placement record, with many companies offering attractive salary packages. The average placement package is INR 15-20 LPA, and top recruiters include Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, and Intel.
Cut-Off: The JEE Advanced cut-off for IIT Kanpur generally ranges from 500 to 2000 ranks depending on the program.
3. Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh
Ranking: AMU is one of India’s oldest and most respected educational institutions, regularly ranked among the top universities in India for its academic performance.
Admission 2025: AMU conducts its own entrance exams for various courses. The admissions for undergraduate courses are generally based on the AMU Entrance Test, and the university also accepts national exam scores for postgraduate courses.
Fees: The annual fees at AMU vary from INR 10,000 to INR 40,000 depending on the course. Medical, engineering, and management courses tend to have higher fees.
Placements: AMU’s placement cell ensures that students get ample opportunities to connect with leading organizations. Average salary packages range from INR 4-6 LPA, with companies like Cognizant, Infosys, and HDFC Bank recruiting.
Cut-Off: The cut-off depends on the course and category, but for general courses, it can range from 40 to 80 marks in the entrance exam.
4. Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University (RMLNLU), Lucknow
Ranking: RMLNLU is one of the premier law universities in India, consistently ranked among the top 20 law colleges in the country.
Admission 2025: RMLNLU offers admissions based on CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) scores. Applicants must secure a valid score in the CLAT exam for various undergraduate and postgraduate law programs.
Fees: The annual fee for undergraduate law courses is approximately INR 1.5 Lakhs, while postgraduate courses may cost around INR 1.2 Lakhs annually.
Placements: The university has a strong placement record, with top law firms, corporates, and public sector organizations hiring graduates. The average salary package is around INR 10-12 LPA.
Cut-Off: The CLAT cut-off for RMLNLU generally lies between the 150 to 250 ranks, depending on the course and category.
5. University of Lucknow, Lucknow
Ranking: University of Lucknow is one of the most prominent public universities in Uttar Pradesh and is highly regarded for its academic quality.
Admission 2025: The university conducts its own entrance test for various undergraduate and postgraduate programs. However, it also accepts national entrance test scores like CAT for MBA admissions.
Fees: The fee structure for the University of Lucknow ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 60,000 per year, depending on the course.
Placements: The university has a decent placement record, with major recruiters including TCS, Wipro, and HDFC Bank. The average placement package is around INR 4-6 LPA.
Cut-Off: The cut-off for the University of Lucknow depends on the course and category, but for general undergraduate courses, it typically ranges from 70-85%.
6. Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida
Ranking: Shiv Nadar University is among the emerging private universities in India, offering high-quality education with a focus on research and innovation.
Admission 2025: Admission to Shiv Nadar University is based on the university’s own SNUSAT and Aptitude Test. It also accepts JEE scores for B.Tech admissions.
Fees: The fee for undergraduate programs at Shiv Nadar University is approximately INR 2.2 Lakhs per year.
Placements: Shiv Nadar University offers excellent placement opportunities, with top companies like Amazon, Cisco, and Deloitte visiting the campus. The average salary package is around INR 6-8 LPA.
Cut-Off: The cut-off for undergraduate admissions depends on the course and the entrance test. Generally, the cut-off for B.Tech ranges from 800-2500 ranks in JEE.