At a Glance — Admission Route & Fee Comparison 2026-27
One aligned table keeps branch fees, route status, and profile checks comparable row by row.
| Branch / check | IIT Dharwad | NITK |
|---|---|---|
| College profile | IIT Dharwad - Indian Institute of TechnologyDharwad · Estd. 2016 | NITK Surathkal - National Institute of Technology KarnatakaMangalore · Estd. 1960 |
| Admission route | Official route onlyOfficial admission routeNo separate management quota published. | Official route onlyOfficial admission routeNo separate management quota published. |
| Type | Government | Government |
| NAAC / NIRF | NAAC Institute of National Importance · NIRF #77 | NAAC A · NIRF #17 |
| Branch-wise fees | Current fee rows are not available on this comparison page. | |
Overview
IIT Dharwad and NITK Surathkal are the two centrally-funded engineering institutes in Karnataka. IIT Dharwad (founded 2016, located in Dharwad north Karnataka) is the youngest IIT in Karnataka. NITK Surathkal (founded 1960, on the Arabian Sea coast in Mangalore) is one of India oldest NITs.
Academics
IIT Dharwad sanctioned intake is approximately 350 across CSE, EE, Mechanical, Civil and Chemical. NITK intake is approximately 800 across 10+ branches. NITK has more research infrastructure and stronger department reputations across Civil, Mechanical and Mining. IIT Dharwad is newer with developing departments.
Placements
IIT Dharwad 2024 placement: highest around 50 LPA, average around 14 LPA, CSE around 22 LPA. NITK 2024 placement: highest 1.05 crore, average 16 LPA, CSE around 22 LPA. NITK placement consistency is higher due to its older alumni network.
Campus Life
IIT Dharwad campus is approximately 470 acres in Dharwad north Karnataka, still under development. NITK Surathkal sits on 295 acres of coastal frontage in Mangalore. NITK has the more established student culture and infrastructure.
Verdict
NITK Surathkal is the conventional first choice — older, denser alumni network, established campus and stronger department reputation. IIT Dharwad benefits from the IIT brand for those targeting brand recall, though placement averages are still maturing.
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