Malnad College of Engineering (MCE) was established in 1960 through a joint effort by the Government of India, the Government of Karnataka, and the Malnad Technical Education Society. It is a government-aided autonomous engineering college affiliated with Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU). MCE has held autonomous status since 2007, has AICTE approval, and is accredited by NAAC with an A Grade.

The college is based on Salagame Road in Hassan, Karnataka. Its 11 engineering departments are supported by dedicated laboratories, including NBA-accredited facilities for Civil, Mechanical, EEE, ECE, CSE, and ISE. MCE was placed in the 101-150 Engineering band by NIRF in 2024, while The Week ranked it 124th in Engineering in 2025.

  • Core aided BE branches include Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, and Information Science and Engineering.
  • Newer unaided BE branches cover AI and Machine Learning, AI and Data Science, Computer Science and Business Systems, Electronics and Computer Engineering, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, and VLSI Design and Technology.
  • M.Tech is available in four specialisations: AI and Data Science, Computer Aided Design of Structures, Digital Electronics and Communication Systems, and Power and Energy System Engineering.
  • MCA is offered as a two-year programme.
  • PhD study is available across all departments.

For aided BE branches under the government quota, the annual fee is INR 2.35 Lakhs, making the four-year total INR 9.40 Lakhs for core aided programmes. Civil and Mechanical Engineering cost INR 5 Lakhs in total. The complete M.Tech fee is INR 1.37 Lakhs, while MCA costs INR 2.5 Lakhs. Recruiters from both IT and core engineering include Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, L&T, and BEL.

Admission Update: The 2027-28 admission cycle is expected to begin with KCET between April and May 2027.

MCE Admission Dates 2027

The next expected MCE admission schedule covers KCET, COMED-K counselling, and institute reporting for the 2027-28 academic session. These tentative dates follow the usual annual KCET schedule.

EventDate
KCET 2027 examinationApril to May 2027 (Tentative)
KCET result announcementMay to June 2027 (Tentative)
KCET and COMED-K counsellingJune to August 2027 (Tentative)
Reporting at the instituteAugust 2027 (Tentative)

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

The entrance test and counselling authority depend on the programme and seat category selected by the student.

CourseExam AcceptedCounselling Body
BE aided seats under the KCET quotaKCETKEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority)
BE unaided seats under the COMED-K quotaCOMED-K / JEE MainCOMED-K Consortium
M.Tech (2 years)GATE / PGCET KarnatakaKEA PGCET
MCA (2 years)KMAT / PGCETKEA PGCET
PhDVTU Research Entrance TestVTU

MCE Courses and Fees

Students can choose from 12 BE specialisations, four M.Tech programmes, MCA, and PhD study at MCE. Core engineering branches have government-regulated fees through aided KCET seats, while the newer unaided branches follow higher fee schedules.

CourseDurationEligibilityTotal Fees
BE in CSE, ECE, or EEE under the KCET aided quota4 years10+2 with PCM and a valid KCET rankINR 2.35 Lakhs per year (INR 9.40 Lakhs total)
BE in Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering4 years10+2 with PCM and a valid KCET rankINR 5 Lakhs total
BE in AI and ML, CS and Business Systems, Robotics and AI, or Electronics and Computer Engineering4 years10+2 with PCM and a valid KCET / COMED-K rankINR 8 Lakhs total
BE in VLSI Design and Technology4 years10+2 with PCM and a valid KCET / COMED-K rankINR 6 Lakhs total
BE in AI and Machine Learning under the Management or NRI quota4 years10+2 with PCM and KCET / COMED-KINR 12 Lakhs total
M.Tech in AI and Data Science, CADS, DECS, or Power and Energy Systems2 yearsBE/B.Tech in a relevant field and GATE / PGCETINR 1.37 Lakhs total
MCA2 yearsBCA / B.Sc with Mathematics and KMAT / PGCETINR 2.5 Lakhs total
PhD3 to 5 yearsM.Tech / ME with 55%INR 0.77 Lakhs per year

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

Six BE programmes hold NBA Tier-I accreditation: Civil, Mechanical, EEE, ECE, CSE, and ISE. At INR 1.37 Lakhs, the total M.Tech fee is among the lowest charged by VTU-affiliated autonomous colleges in Karnataka.

MCE Admission Process

MCE uses separate admission routes for its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. BE seats are filled through KCET, COMED-K, or an accepted JEE Main score, while M.Tech and MCA applicants use the relevant postgraduate entrance examination.

BE Admission

KCET covers government-aided seats under code E-024 and unaided seats under code E-047. Students seeking COMED-K quota seats must use college code E-079. Applicants must meet these BE eligibility conditions:

  • Pass 10+2 or an equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
  • Study Chemistry, Biology, or Computer Science as the third subject.
  • Secure at least 45% aggregate marks in PCM, or 40% for SC and ST applicants.
  • Hold a valid KCET rank or COMED-K / JEE Main score.

The admission procedure follows these steps:

  1. Qualify for KCET, COMED-K, or JEE Main, as applicable to the chosen seat category.
  2. Complete certificate verification through the relevant counselling authority.
  3. Enter and confirm college and course choices on the KEA portal at kea.kar.nic.in or through the COMED-K consortium portal.
  4. Accept the allotted seat and pay the required fee.
  5. Report to MCE after allotment to complete enrolment.

CSE and ECE usually have the most competitive KCET closing ranks at MCE. Newer unaided options, including AI and ML and Robotics and AI, operate mainly through the COMED-K quota.

M.Tech Admission

Admission to M.Tech is based on Karnataka PGCET or GATE performance. Applicants need a BE or B.Tech in the relevant discipline with at least 50% aggregate marks. Preference is given to GATE-qualified students, who may also receive a stipend under AICTE rules.

MCA Admission

MCA applicants must have a relevant bachelor's degree with Mathematics as a subject and at least 50% aggregate marks. Selection is made using Karnataka PGCET or KMAT scores.

MCE Placements

The MCE placement cell works with employers from software services, infrastructure, manufacturing, and defence electronics. Regular recruiters include Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, L&T, and BEL.

Campus recruitment is especially active for CSE and ECE students, with IT companies holding organised placement drives. Civil and Mechanical Engineering graduates enter construction and manufacturing companies. They also seek positions in government sector organisations such as BEL and ISRO through competitive examinations.

SectorKey Recruiters
IT and SoftwareTCS, Infosys, Wipro
Core Engineering and ManufacturingL&T, BEL
Construction and InfrastructureBuilders Association of India partners

Many graduates from VLSI, ECE, and the Power Systems M.Tech branch pursue work in semiconductor design and power sector public sector undertakings. Students who qualify through GATE also join organisations such as NALCO, GAIL, and NTPC through PSU recruitment drives.

MCE Rankings

MCE has appeared consistently in national engineering assessments. NIRF placed the college in the 101-150 Engineering band in both 2025 and 2024. The Week gave MCE an Engineering rank of 124 in 2025.

Ranking BodyCategory2025 Rank2024 Rank
NIRFEngineering101-150 band101-150 band
The WeekEngineering124Not available

Along with its national ranking record, MCE has an NAAC A Grade and NBA Tier-I accreditation for six BE programmes. It also holds Institution Innovation Council certification from the Ministry of Education for its research and innovation work within the autonomous VTU framework.

MCE Scholarships

MCE students can apply for Karnataka government scholarships and schemes offered through the central National Scholarship Portal. The Karnataka post-matric scheme supports eligible SC, ST, OBC, and EWS students at government-aided colleges through tuition assistance and maintenance benefits.

ScholarshipEligibilityCoverage
Karnataka SC/ST Post-Matric ScholarshipSC or ST students enrolled at MCE whose income is below the Karnataka limitTuition fee reimbursement and a maintenance allowance according to state rules
OBC Post-Matric Scholarship (NSP)OBC students whose parental income is below the prescribed limitReimbursement of tuition and examination fees
AICTE Pragati ScholarshipGirl students in technical programmes with family income below INR 8 Lakhs per year, limited to one girl per familyINR 50,000 per year
AICTE Saksham ScholarshipDifferently-abled students enrolled in technical programmes with income below INR 8 Lakhs per yearINR 50,000 per year

State scholarship applications are filed through the Karnataka State Scholarship Portal. Students must apply for NSP schemes through scholarship.gov.in during each academic year.

MCE Campus and Infrastructure

MCE has operated in Hassan since 1960 and is one of Karnataka's oldest engineering colleges outside Bengaluru. Its Salagame Road campus contains academic departments, laboratories, and research centres serving all 11 engineering disciplines.

Across its departments, the college has 75 laboratories and research centres for undergraduate projects and faculty research. Students can use print and digital library material, including resources available through VTU subscriptions. Other facilities include sports areas, a cafeteria, and student clubs. MCE also runs the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan programme, which connects the institution with nearby rural communities.

Boys and girls have separate hostel facilities on or near the campus. Through its VTU affiliation, the college also provides access to VTU library consortium material and inter-campus academic events.

MCE vs PES College of Engineering Mandya vs SIT Tumkur

Students considering government-aided autonomous engineering colleges outside Bengaluru commonly compare MCE Hassan with PES College of Engineering Mandya (PESCE) and Siddaganga Institute of Technology Tumkur (SIT). All three are affiliated with VTU and admit students through KCET and COMED-K at similar fee levels.

ParameterMCE HassanPESCE MandyaSIT Tumkur
Established196019621963
AffiliationVTU (Autonomous)VTU (Autonomous)VTU (Autonomous)
NAAC GradeAAA+
NIRF 2024 Engineering101-150 bandNot in top 200Not in top 200
Admission RouteKCET / COMED-KKCET / COMED-KKCET / COMED-K
NBA Accredited Programmes6MultipleMultiple
LocationHassanMandyaTumkur

Among these colleges, SIT Tumkur has the highest NAAC grade at A+ and is known for its research output. MCE is the only one of the three placed in the NIRF Engineering 101-150 band for 2024. MCE and PESCE were both founded in the early 1960s and offer a similar range of programmes. Government-aided KCET fee structures at all three make them options for Karnataka students seeking affordable autonomous engineering education under VTU outside Bengaluru.

MCE FAQs

Ques. What type of institution is Malnad College of Engineering?

Ans. MCE is an autonomous, government-aided engineering college founded in 1960. Funding comes partly from the Government of Karnataka and partly from the Malnad Technical Education Society. The college is affiliated with VTU, approved by AICTE, and accredited by NAAC with an A Grade. Fees for seats allotted through the aided KCET quota are regulated by the government.

Ques. How much does a BE programme cost at MCE Hassan?

Ans. The fee for KCET-allotted aided seats in CSE, ECE, and EEE is INR 2.35 Lakhs per year, or INR 9.40 Lakhs across four years. Civil and Mechanical Engineering have a total fee of INR 5 Lakhs. Four-year fees for newer unaided branches such as AI and ML range from INR 8 Lakhs to INR 12 Lakhs. The complete M.Tech fee is INR 1.37 Lakhs.

Ques. Which route should students follow for admission to MCE Hassan?

Ans. KEA conducts KCET counselling for MCE's aided-quota seats. The college codes are E-024 for aided KCET seats and E-047 for unaided KCET seats. Applicants using COMED-K must select code E-079. Students first qualify through KCET or COMED-K, submit their choices on the relevant counselling portal, accept the allotment, and then report to MCE.

Ques. Where does MCE Hassan stand in engineering rankings?

Ans. NIRF placed MCE Hassan in the Engineering 101-150 band in its 2024 ranking. The Week ranked the college 124th in Engineering in 2025. These results place MCE among the notable government-aided engineering colleges appearing in the national ranking framework.

Ques. Which MCE programmes hold NBA accreditation?

Ans. Six BE programmes have NBA Tier-I accreditation: Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, EEE, ECE, CSE, and Information Science and Engineering. MCE also has an NAAC A Grade, remains affiliated with VTU, and has operated with autonomous status since 2007.

Ques. Which employers participate in MCE Hassan placements?

Ans. Recruiters include TCS, Infosys, and Wipro from the IT industry, along with L&T and BEL from core engineering and defence electronics. VLSI and ECE graduates also enter semiconductor design roles. Mechanical and Civil Engineering students can pursue government sector employment through competitive examinations.