Top Ranked College and Schools in Odisha in 2025

NISER Bhubaneswar is widely regarded as one of the top-ranked and best institutes in Odisha, especially in the field of basic sciences and research. It holds a prestigious position nationally due to its direct affiliation with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and its academic link to the Homi Bhabha National Institute. In terms of research output, NISER consistently ranks among the top institutions in India, especially in the Nature Index, which reflects high-impact scientific publications. Within Odisha, it stands out for its highly competitive admission via NEST, attracting top science talent from across the country. Within Odisha, NISER is often mentioned alongside institutions like IIT Bhubaneswar and AIIMS Bhubaneswar, but stands out in the field of pure science and research. While IIT Bhubaneswar may dominate in engineering, NISER is unparalleled in Odisha (and among the best in India) for pure science education and research.

IIT Bhubaneswar (IIT BBSR) is a public technical university and is the top-ranked engineering institute in Odisha and is consistently ranked among the top engineering institutes in India and globally. Among all the engineering institutions in the state, it holds the highest position in national rankings, consistently securing a strong spot in the top 20-30 institutes in India in terms of overall and engineering-specific rankings (such as NIRF).

In Odisha, it surpasses other institutions like NIT Rourkela, which is also a top contender, but IIT BBSR generally has the edge due to its association with the IIT system and the recognition that comes with it.

In short, IIT Bhubaneswar is the top-ranked engineering institute in Odisha.

National Law University Odisha (NLUO) is a premier law university located in Cuttack, Odisha, India. It was established in 2009 and is recognized as one of the leading law schools in the country. NLUO was ranked among India’s top law universities. The NLUO offers undergraduate (integrated B.A./LL.B., BBA/LL.B.), and post-graduate courses (L.L.M, M.Phil., PhD) in law. It is one of the 25 NLUs in the country. NLUO is the fastest growing National Law University (NLU) in all aspects including academics, moot performances, placements etc. NLUO recently inaugurated the Largest Law Library in Asia in 2023. NLUO has been ranked 10 in the Mooting Premier League 7th edition which is decided on the basis of cumulative points earned in multiple moot court competitions. The university has also performed well in the Price Media Law Moot Court Competition hosted by the University of Oxford. NLUO in 2017 was the winner of the 34th BCI Moot Court Competition among its other achievements.

Bhubanananda Odisha School of Engineering (BOSE), Cuttack, is a well-regarded engineering institution in Odisha, and is considered one of the top-ranked institutes in the state.

Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Autonomous College (BJB College) is considered one of the best colleges in Odisha. It is one of the top-ranked autonomous colleges in Odisha, affiliated with Utkal University. The college has consistently produced students who have secured ranks in the top-20 list in the annual higher secondary examinations of the state every year. The institute offers undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs in Arts, Science, and Commerce. Students from BJB College have secured jobs in government, private, and multinational companies. BJB College is highly competitive, with cutoffs among the highest in Odisha for UG admissions. Students with excellent marks in CHSE Odisha or CBSE/ICSE often prefer BJB College for higher studies. BJB Autonomous is a top-tier college in Odisha with quality education and an active campus life.

Ravenshaw University is indeed one of the top and most prestigious educational institutions in Odisha, and it holds a prominent place in India’s academic landscape. Ravenshaw University, located in Cuttack, Odisha, is one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in India. Ravenshaw University has a long history of academic excellence, dating back to 1868 when it was established as Ravenshaw College. It became a university in 2006 and has maintained its status as one of the leading educational institutions in Odisha. Ravenshaw University is known for its rich academic history, diverse range of courses, and overall contribution to the intellectual and cultural development of the region. Ravenshaw University’s library is well-stocked with books, journals, and digital resources. Students have access to an extensive collection of academic resources to support their studies. Ravenshaw University has a strong alumni network. Graduates from this institution are well-placed in diverse fields, including education, administration, business, and government. Ravenshaw University is certainly one of the best in Odisha to study at.

NIT Rourkela is the second-highest-ranked engineering institution in Odisha, after IIT Bhubaneswar. While it is one of the top NITs in India, within Odisha, it follows IIT Bhubaneswar in the rankings.

In national rankings, NIT Rourkela holds a strong position, often securing a place in the top 25 or 30 engineering institutions in India. But in Odisha, it is a close second to IIT Bhubaneswar, consistently recognized for its quality education, research, and infrastructure.

Utkal University is undoubtedly one of the best universities in Odisha and holds a strong reputation in Eastern India. Utkal University, often called the “Mother University” of Odisha, has earned a reputation as one of the best universities in the state and beyond. Established in 1943, it is the oldest university in Odisha with a rich history of academic excellence. It has produced countless scholars, leaders, and professionals across various fields. Recognized by NAAC with an ‘A+’ Grade, which speaks volumes about its quality of education. The top-notch professors of Utkal University are recipients of national and international awards. Compared to private universities, Utkal University provides high-quality education at a much lower cost. Utkal University has produced IAS/IPS officers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and leaders in various domains.

VSSUT Burla (Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla) is considered one of the top engineering colleges in Odisha, especially among government engineering institutions. It has a strong reputation and has been around for several decades, making it one of the oldest and most well-established technical institutions in the state. It stands out as one of the best government engineering colleges in the state and is a reliable option for those seeking an affordable and solid education in engineering. VSSUT Burla is a good engineering college in Odisha, especially for those looking for a government-run institution with a strong history and a good reputation. While it may not be at the very top (like IIT Bhubaneswar or NIT Rourkela), it is still one of the best in the state and provides quality education with good career opportunities.

In terms of rankings, the College of Basic Science and Humanities is considered one of the top science colleges in Bhubaneswar. Overall, the College of Basic Science and Humanities holds a significant position among science colleges in Odisha, offering quality education and contributing to the academic landscape of the state. The College of Basic Science and Humanities, established in 1964, is a constituent college of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar. It offers a range of programs, including +2 Science, undergraduate (B.Sc.), postgraduate (M.Sc.), and Ph.D. degrees across various science disciplines. The college is recognized for its comprehensive curriculum and experienced faculty, contributing to its reputation as a premier institution in the state. It has been accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), reflecting its commitment to quality education.

Sambalpur University is among the top government universities in Odisha, especially for research and postgraduate studies. Established in 1967, it is a state government university, ensuring affordability and quality education. The university offers UG, PG, M.Phil., and Ph.D. programs in various disciplines, including Arts, Science, Commerce, Management, Law, and Technology and Specialized programs like M.Tech, MBA, MSW, and LL.M. that give students a competitive edge. The University has collaborations with national and international universities for research projects. The university has a strong alumni network, and many alumni are in government jobs, academia, research, and corporate sectors. Many civil servants, professors, and scientists have studied here. Sambalpur University is one of the best government universities in Odisha, best for affordable education, research, and diverse courses. It’s an excellent choice for students who want a high-quality degree with strong academic backing at a reasonable cost.

OUTR (Odisha University of Technology and Research), Bhubaneswar is a good engineering college in Odisha. OUTR is recognized as a respected private engineering institution in Odisha. It is particularly well-regarded in central and northern Odisha.

Rama Devi Women’s University, Bhubaneswar, is widely regarded as one of the best women’s universities in Odisha, and arguably, one of the top educational institutions in the state for female students. Rama Devi Women’s University (became university in year 2015), formerly known as Rama Devi Women’s Autonomous College (got autonomous status in year 1999), was started as Government Women’s College in 1964 and name of the college was changed to Rama Devi Women’s College in 1969. It holds the unique position of being the first and only state-run women’s university in Odisha, making it a pioneer in women’s education and empowerment. The institute offers Undergraduate, Postgraduate, M.Phil., and Ph.D. programs in Arts, Science, Commerce, and emerging fields. The Institute is known for producing excellent academic results, university rank holders, and achievers. Located in the heart of Odisha’s capital city, the institute ensures Better exposure to industries, government sectors, and career opportunities and provides a secure campus, women-friendly policies, hostel facilities, and extracurricular activities focused on the overall growth and safety of women. Rama Devi Women’s University is definitely the BEST choice for women’s education in Odisha, offering a blend of academic excellence, safety, leadership, and empowerment.

Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) was established in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India in 1962. It is the second oldest agricultural university in the country. OUAT is a great institution for higher learning one of the best college of technology in Odisha and is dedicated to agriculture-related research, extension and education. OUAT is among the only 7 universities in Odisha having NAAC accreditation and the B.Sc. (Hons.) in Agriculture of OUAT is accredited by NAAC with a grade of ‘A++’. OUAT has many colleges, including the College of Agriculture, College of Fisheries, College of Home Science, College of Forestry, and College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry. College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology (CAET) Bhubaneswar is one of the constituent colleges of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology established in 1966 and is considered one of the best agricultural engineering colleges in Odisha, India. CAET is a pioneer in agricultural engineering education in eastern India and is ICAR-accredited, ensuring high educational standards. The institute offers B.Tech, M.Tech, and Ph.D. programs in various agricultural engineering disciplines. The institute’s Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Agricultural Engineering program admits 64 students annually through the Common Entrance Test conducted by OUAT. The OUAT entrance exam is a university-level exam and is considered one of the most difficult state-level entrance exams for agriculture stream undergraduate admissions. CAET has its own academic and administrative units in the main campus of OUAT at Bhubaneswar. It has all the infrastructure facilities to cater the need of all level of students and researchers. It has its own library and has access to OUAT central library with more than 300 thousand books and subscription to more than 250 journals. The College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology (CAET) in Bhubaneswar, India is a well-known institution under the SAU-ICAR system.

The Fakir Mohan University in Balasore was established by the Government of Odisha, under Section 32 of the Odisha Universities Act, 1989 (Act 5 of 1989) and is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It was carved out of the Utkal University in 1999 and acts as an affiliating university. FM University has emerged as one of the top government higher educational institutions in terms of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grading as the varsity get the ‘A’ rank. Fakir Mohan University (FMU) is considered one of the best universities in Odisha and offers a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in humanities, science, commerce, law, and management. It has collaborations with national and international institutions for research projects. FMU has a team of highly qualified and experienced faculty members who contribute to research and academic excellence. FMU has produced many successful professionals in various fields, including academia, administration, business, and research. Compared to private universities, FMU provides quality education at an affordable cost, making higher education accessible to more students. Fakir Mohan University stands out as one of the top universities in Odisha, offering quality education with strong research opportunities and industry connections.