Top Design Colleges in Pune: Ranking, Courses & Admissions 2026
Pune has steadily emerged as one of India’s most preferred destinations for design education. Known as the “Oxford of the East,” the city combines academic excellence, a strong creative ecosystem, affordable living, and proximity to design-driven industries. From fashion and product design to animation, UI UX, and visual communication, Pune offers diverse opportunities for students aiming to build a successful career in design.
With reputed institutes, industry exposure, modern infrastructure, and a student-friendly environment, Pune attracts aspiring designers from across India. Below is a detailed overview of the top design colleges in Pune, courses offered, admission process, and career prospects.
Top Design Colleges in Pune 2026: Highlights
| Parameters | Details |
|---|---|
| Popular for | Product Design, Fashion Design, UI UX Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design |
| Top Design Colleges | MIT Institute of Design (MIT ID), Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), Vishwakarma University |
| Ownership | Private and Deemed Universities |
| Course Levels Offered | UG, PG and Diploma programmes |
| Popular Degrees | BDes, MDes, Diploma in Design |
| Duration | UG: 4 years, PG: 2 years, Diploma: 1 to 2 years |
| Admission Process | Design entrance exams, institute level tests and portfolio review |
| Accepted Entrance Exams | UCEED, NIFT, NID DAT, CEED, institute specific exams |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 2.5 lakh to INR 6 lakh |
| Top Recruiters | Tata Elxsi, Infosys, Accenture, Myntra, Amazon, Deloitte |
| Career Opportunities | UX Designer, Product Designer, Fashion Designer, Visual Designer, Interior Designer |
| Average Placement Package | INR 4 LPA to INR 8 LPA |
| Best for Students | Creative students interested in design, innovation and digital arts |
| Academic Year | 2026 admissions |
Why Choose Pune for Design Education?
Pune stands out as a design education hub for several reasons:
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Strong presence of reputed design institutes with national recognition
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Growing startup culture and IT ecosystem supporting UI UX and digital design
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Affordable cost of living compared to Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi
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Excellent academic atmosphere with students from diverse backgrounds
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Regular workshops, exhibitions, internships, and industry collaborations
Students studying in Pune benefit from hands-on learning, exposure to real-world projects, and access to experienced faculty and visiting industry professionals.
Top Design Colleges in Pune 2026
| College Name | Type | Popular Design Courses | Approx. Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIT Institute of Design (MIT ID), Pune | Private | BDes, MDes (Product, Communication, UI UX) | INR 3,50,000 – 4,25,000 |
| Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), Pune | Private | BDes (Fashion, UI UX, Visual Comm) | INR 4,50,000 – 5,20,000 |
| Vishwakarma University, Pune | Private | BDes, MDes | INR 2,00,000 – 2,80,000 |
| MIT World Peace University (MIT WPU) | Private | BDes, MDes | INR 2,50,000 – 3,20,000 |
| Dr DY Patil School of Design, Pune | Private | Fashion Design, Interior Design | INR 1,80,000 – 2,50,000 |
Admission Process for Design Colleges in Pune
Admission to top design colleges in Pune is generally based on:
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National-level or institute-level entrance exams
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Portfolio evaluation
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Studio test or creative aptitude test
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Personal interview
Common entrance exams include NID DAT, SEED, MIT DAT, and university-specific tests.
Career Scope After Studying Design in Pune
Graduates from design colleges in Pune can explore careers such as:
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UI UX Designer
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Product Designer
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Fashion Designer
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Interior Designer
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Graphic Designer
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Design Consultant
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Creative Director
With Pune’s growing IT, startup, and creative ecosystem, students have access to internships and job opportunities across multiple industries.
Top Design Colleges in Pune by Rankings 2026
The following colleges are ranked based on a mix of NIRF rankings, national surveys, academic reputation, alumni outcomes, and industry recognition.
| Rank | College Name | Type | Affiliation / Approval | Popular Design Courses | Approx. Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MIT Institute of Design (MIT ID), Pune | Private | UGC Approved | B.Des, M.Des (Product, Communication, UX, Industrial Design) | INR 4 – 4.5 Lakhs |
| 2 | Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), Pune | Private | Symbiosis International University | B.Des (Communication, Fashion, UI/UX, Product Design) | INR 5 – 5.5 Lakhs |
| 3 | Vishwakarma University – School of Design, Pune | Private | UGC Approved | B.Des, M.Des (Interior, Visual Communication, Industrial Design) | INR 2.5 – 3 Lakhs |
| 4 | Flame University – Design School, Pune | Private | UGC Approved | B.Des, BA (Design, Interaction Design, Communication Design) | INR 6 – 7 Lakhs |
| 5 | INSD Pune (International School of Design) | Private | NSDC & Industry Linked | Interior Design, Fashion Design, Graphic Design | INR 2 – 3 Lakhs |
Entrance Exams Accepted by Design Colleges in Pune 2026
If you are planning to pursue a career in fashion design, interior design, graphic design, product design, animation, or UI UX design, understanding the top entrance exams accepted by design colleges in Pune 2026 is the first and most important step.
Most design colleges in Pune offer admissions based on national-level, institute-level, and state-level entrance exams. These exams evaluate a student’s creativity, design aptitude, logical thinking, visual awareness, and problem-solving skills. Below is a detailed overview of the major entrance exams accepted by leading design colleges in Pune, along with eligibility, exam patterns, and participating institutes.
| Entrance Exam | Conducting Body | Courses Offered | Exam Level | Design Colleges in Pune Accepting It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIFT Entrance Exam | National Institute of Fashion Technology | Fashion Design, Accessory Design, Textile Design | National | Private Fashion & Design Institutes |
| NID DAT | National Institute of Design | Product Design, Communication Design, Animation | National | Select Private Design Colleges |
| UCEED | IIT Bombay | BDes (Product, Industrial, Interaction Design) | National | Design Schools Affiliated with IITs & Private Colleges |
| CEED | IIT Bombay | MDes, MSc Design | National | PG Design Colleges in Pune |
| AIEED | ARCH College of Design | Fashion, Interior, Product Design | National | Partner Colleges in Pune |
| Pearl Academy Entrance Exam | Pearl Academy | Fashion, Communication, Interior Design | National | Pearl Academy Pune |
| MAH AAC CET | State CET Cell Maharashtra | Applied Arts & Design | State Level | Government & Private Colleges in Pune |
| IIAD Entrance Exam | Indian Institute of Art & Design | Fashion, Interior, Communication Design | National | Select Private Design Colleges |
In-Demand Design Courses in Pune 2026
Design education in Pune is no longer limited to traditional fine arts. Institutions now offer industry-aligned courses focused on digital tools, user experience, sustainability, and innovation. Students opting for design courses in Pune gain exposure to live projects, internships, design studios, and strong placement networks.
| Design Course | Duration | Key Skills Covered | Career Opportunities | Avg. Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UI/UX Design | 6 months – 4 years | User research, prototyping, usability | UI/UX Designer, Product Designer | 6–12 LPA |
| Graphic Design | 6 months – 3 years | Branding, typography, visual design | Graphic Designer, Visual Designer | 4–8 LPA |
| Interior Design | 3–4 years | Space planning, CAD, materials | Interior Designer, Consultant | 5–10 LPA |
| Fashion Design | 3–4 years | Garment design, textiles, styling | Fashion Designer, Stylist | 4–9 LPA |
| Product Design | 4 years | Design thinking, prototyping, CAD | Product Designer, Industrial Designer | 6–12 LPA |
| Animation & Multimedia | 1–4 years | 2D/3D animation, VFX, motion graphics | Animator, VFX Artist | 4–10 LPA |
| Game Design | 1–4 years | Game mechanics, storytelling, design tools | Game Designer, Level Designer | 5–12 LPA |
Top Government vs Private Design Colleges in Pune 2026
Government Design Colleges
Admissions are mostly based on national entrance exams like UCEED, CEED, or state-level design tests. Cutoffs are usually high, and students must perform well academically as well as creatively.
Private Design Colleges
Private institutes conduct their own entrance exams, portfolio evaluations, and interviews. Many colleges also accept UCEED or NIFT scores. The admission process is more flexible, making it easier for students with strong portfolios.
| Feature | Government Design Colleges | Private Design Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| Popular Institutes | COEP Pune, Savitribai Phule Pune University departments | MIT Institute of Design, Symbiosis Institute of Design, Vishwakarma University |
| Affiliation | State or Central Government Universities | Private Universities or Deemed Universities |
| Courses Offered | BDes, MDes, Industrial Design, Fashion Design, Visual Communication | BDes, MDes, Fashion Design, UI UX, Interior Design, Product Design |
| Admission Process | National or State Entrance Exams | Institute-level exams, portfolio review, interviews |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 30,000 – 1.2 Lakh | INR 3 Lakh – 6 Lakh |
| Infrastructure | Good but limited upgrades | Modern studios, advanced labs |
| Faculty | Highly experienced academic professionals | Industry practitioners and visiting faculty |
| Placement Support | Moderate but stable | Strong industry tie-ups |
| Average Placement Package | INR 4 – 7 LPA | INR 5 – 12 LPA |
| ROI | Very High | Depends on institute reputation |
| Competition Level | Very High | Moderate to High |
Placement and Career Opportunities
Government Colleges
Graduates often secure roles in:
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Public sector design projects
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Government research labs
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Architecture and urban planning firms
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Established design studios
Private Colleges
Private design colleges in Pune provide better exposure to:
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UI UX and digital product companies
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Fashion brands and retail chains
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Advertising agencies
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Startups and global design firms
Private institutes also encourage freelancing, entrepreneurship, and startup incubation.
Which is Better in 2026: Government or Private Design College?
There is no universal answer. The right choice depends on budget, career goals, and learning style.
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Choose a government design college if you want affordable education, strong academics, and long-term stability.
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Choose a private design college if you want industry exposure, modern tools, and higher placement potential.
FAQs
The cost of studying design in Pune depends on the institute, course type, and duration, but on average, design course fees in Pune range from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹6 lakh per year. Government and aided colleges offering BDes or MDes programs usually charge lower fees starting from ₹60,000 to ₹2 lakh annually, while private design colleges and institutes offering popular courses like Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, UI UX Design, and Product Design may charge between ₹3 lakh and ₹8 lakh for the full program. Short term diploma and certificate design courses in Pune generally cost between ₹50,000 and ₹2 lakh, making Pune a cost effective yet high quality destination for design education in India.
The best degree in design depends on your career goals, but overall a Bachelor of Design BDes is considered the most versatile and future ready design degree in India and globally. A BDes offers specializations such as Graphic Design, UI UX Design, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Product Design and Animation, combining creativity with practical skills, technology and industry exposure. For students interested in digital careers, a degree in UI UX Design or Graphic Design is highly in demand due to growth in tech, startups and digital marketing. Fashion Design and Interior Design are ideal for those inclined toward lifestyle and spatial design, while Product and Industrial Design suit innovation driven careers. Choosing the best design degree ultimately depends on your interests, job market trends and whether you want creative freedom, high earning potential or global career opportunities.
The cost of 3D design in Pune generally ranges from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000 for basic 3D models such as interior layouts, product mockups, or simple architectural visuals, while advanced 3D design services like high quality architectural visualization, animation, industrial design, or detailed 3D rendering can cost anywhere between ₹15,000 and ₹50,000 or more depending on complexity, revisions, software used, and turnaround time. Freelance 3D designers in Pune usually charge lower rates compared to professional studios, making pricing flexible for startups, students, and small businesses, whereas experienced agencies may offer premium pricing with better realism, textures, lighting, and post production quality. The final 3D design cost in Pune also depends on project scope, level of detailing, number of views, and delivery format, which is why clients are advised to request a customized quote based on their specific requirements.
In Pune, MIT Institute of Design (MIT ID Pune) is widely regarded as the college with the best placements for design courses due to its strong industry integration, experienced faculty, and consistent placement record across disciplines like Product Design, Communication Design, UX Design, and Transportation Design. The institute attracts top recruiters such as Tata Elxsi, Deloitte, Accenture, IBM, Infosys, Whirlpool, Bajaj Auto, and leading design studios, with average salary packages ranging from INR 6 to 8 LPA and higher packages offered to top performers. Its structured internship programs, live industry projects, global collaborations, and dedicated placement cell make MIT ID Pune a preferred choice for students seeking strong career outcomes in design education, making it a top answer for students searching which design college in Pune offers the best placements.
In Pune, some of the colleges known for offering design courses at comparatively low fees include Government Polytechnic Pune and MIT Institute of Design for select programs, with Government Polytechnic Pune often cited as the most affordable option. As a government institute, it offers diploma level design courses such as Applied Arts and related fields with annual fees that are significantly lower than private design colleges, making it a popular choice for students looking for quality design education at minimal cost. While private institutes in Pune may charge higher fees for undergraduate and postgraduate design programs, government and aided colleges remain the best option for students searching for the lowest fee design courses in Pune without compromising on academic credibility.
