PES University Bangalore — Complete College Guide 2025
PES University is consistently ranked among the top 3 private engineering institutions in Karnataka — and for good reason. Originally founded in 1972 as PES Institute of Technology, it was granted university status by the Government of Karnataka in 2013. Today, with two campuses in Bangalore (Ring Road in Banashankari and Electronic City), PES University attracts some of the best engineering talent in South India.
What sets PES apart is its research-oriented culture and unusually strong placement record for a private university. The CSE department, in particular, has built a reputation that rivals some IITs when it comes to product-based company placements.
Quick Facts at a Glance
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | 1972 (University status: 2013) |
| Type | Private University (State) |
| Accreditation | NAAC A+ Grade, AICTE approved, UGC recognized |
| NIRF 2025 | Top 75 Engineering in India |
| Campuses | Ring Road (Banashankari) and Electronic City |
| Entrance Exams | KCET, PESSAT (PES Scholastic Aptitude Test) |
Courses and Fee Structure
| Course | Duration | Annual Fee (Approx) |
|---|---|---|
| B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering | 4 Years | Rs 3,50,000 - 5,50,000 |
| B.Tech Electronics and Communication | 4 Years | Rs 3,00,000 - 5,00,000 |
| B.Tech Mechanical Engineering | 4 Years | Rs 2,50,000 - 4,00,000 |
| B.Tech AI and Machine Learning | 4 Years | Rs 3,50,000 - 5,50,000 |
| B.Tech Biotechnology | 4 Years | Rs 2,50,000 - 4,00,000 |
| MBA | 2 Years | Rs 5,00,000 - 7,00,000/year |
PES University fees are higher than government-aided colleges like BMSCE or RVCE. However, the KCET quota seats are significantly cheaper than PESSAT/management quota seats.
Admission Process
PES University fills engineering seats through two main channels:
1. KCET: A portion of seats is filled through KEA counselling. The KCET 2025 CSE cutoff for PES University (Ring Road) was 934 under General Merit — making it harder to get into than most engineering colleges in Karnataka except RVCE.
2. PESSAT: PES University conducts its own entrance exam called PESSAT for the remaining seats. PESSAT is typically held in April-May and covers Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and English. This is the primary admission route for management quota seats.
KCET Cutoff — PES University 2024 vs 2025
| Branch | KCET 2024 (GM) | KCET 2025 (GM) | KCET 2025 (OBC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering | 4,030 | 934 | 3,067 |
| Electronics and Communication | 6,500 | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | 15,000 | — | — |
Important note: The dramatic drop in CSE cutoff from 4,030 (2024) to 934 (2025) suggests significantly increased competition for PES this year. Students targeting PES for CSE need a KCET rank under 1,000 — which puts it in the same league as RVCE.
Placements at PES University
PES University placement record is among the strongest in Karnataka for private universities:
| Parameter | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Package | Rs 50+ LPA | Rs 50+ LPA |
| Average Package (CSE) | Rs 12-18 LPA | Rs 14-20 LPA |
| Median Package | Rs 10 LPA | Rs 10+ LPA |
Top recruiters: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Oracle, SAP, Cisco, Adobe, Flipkart, Uber, PhonePe, Infosys, TCS, and Wipro.
PES CSE department consistently sends students to FAANG-level companies. The Electronic City campus tends to have slightly lower placement numbers than the Ring Road campus, so students should be aware of which campus they are joining.
Campus Life and Infrastructure
The Ring Road campus is the flagship campus, located in a prime area of South Bangalore. It features modern labs, innovation centers, a well-equipped library, and recreational facilities. The Electronic City campus, though newer, benefits from proximity to one of Bangalore largest IT corridors — which helps in industry collaborations and internships.
PES is known for its vibrant student culture — technical fests, hackathons, coding competitions, and startup incubation programs are regular features. The university has produced several startup founders in Bangalore tech ecosystem.
PES University vs RVCE vs BMSCE — Which is Better?
This is the most common comparison Karnataka engineering aspirants make. Here is a balanced view:
For placements: PES and RVCE are neck-and-neck for CSE, both outperforming BMSCE in terms of highest packages. PES has a slight edge in product-based company placements.
For fees: RVCE and BMSCE are significantly cheaper through KCET quota. PES is the most expensive among the three, especially through PESSAT.
For research: PES University has an advantage as it can offer its own degrees and has more flexibility in curriculum design. RVCE and BMSCE follow VTU syllabus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What KCET rank is needed for CSE at PES University?
For KCET 2025, a rank under 934 was needed for CSE at PES University Ring Road campus under General Merit. For OBC, the cutoff was around 3,067.
Is PES University better than NIT Surathkal?
NIT Surathkal is a government institution with lower fees and national-level recognition. However, PES University CSE placements are comparable or sometimes better. If affordability is a concern, NITK is the better choice. For Bangalore-based career opportunities, PES has advantages.
What is PESSAT and how difficult is it?
PESSAT is PES University own entrance exam covering Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and English. It is moderate in difficulty — roughly similar to KCET level — but the cutoffs are competitive due to limited seats.
Does PES University have hostel facilities?
Yes, both campuses have hostel facilities for boys and girls. Hostel fees are approximately Rs 1,50,000 - 2,50,000 per year depending on room type.
Explore More on CollegesInfo
Use our free KCET 2026-27 College Predictor to find colleges matching your rank. Also read our guide to Engineering Colleges in Bangalore, KCET Counselling 2026 Guide, and COMEDK Counselling 2026 Guide.
Compare with: BMSCE | MSRIT | RVCE
About This Guide
This article is written and maintained by L K Monu Borkala, founder of CollegesInfo.org and OneCity Technologies Pvt Ltd. L K Monu Borkala has been publishing Karnataka education directories since 2006 — first in print, then online from 2019, and now through CollegesInfo.org covering college admissions from KCET counselling to NEET seat selection to MBA programme choices. CollegesInfo.org was built to give Karnataka families the same honest, data-backed guidance that was previously only available through expensive consultants or personal connections.
Information on this page is compiled from official sources including KEA (Karnataka Examinations Authority), RGUHS, VTU, NMC, PCI, INC, and direct feedback from students and families who have gone through the admission process. If you find anything outdated or incorrect, WhatsApp us at +91 6363 330 233 and we will update it.
Need personalised advice for your specific situation — rank, category, budget, or career goal? Our counselling is free. WhatsApp us directly and we will respond within 24 hours.
Official Sources: Information on this page is sourced from All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and University Grants Commission (UGC), the primary regulatory bodies governing this subject in India.
PES University Bangalore — All Courses and Fees 2026
| Programme | Duration | Annual Fees | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| BE/BTech (CSE, ECE, ME, Civil, EEE) | 4 years | Rs 1,50,000–2,20,000 | KCET / PESSAT / JEE Main |
| BE CSE with AI/ML, Data Science specialisations | 4 years | Rs 1,80,000–2,50,000 | KCET / PESSAT |
| BBA | 3 years | Rs 1,20,000–1,80,000 | PESSAT + interview |
| BSc (Computer Science, Data Science) | 3 years | Rs 80,000–1,50,000 | PESSAT + merit |
| MBA | 2 years | Rs 3,00,000–4,00,000 | CAT/PGCET/KMAT + GDPI |
| ME/MTech | 2 years | Rs 1,00,000–1,50,000 | PGCET/GATE |
PES University KCET Cutoff 2025
| Branch | GM Closing 2025 | 2A Closing | SC Closing |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSE | ~3,500–5,000 | ~10,000–15,000 | ~35,000–55,000 |
| CSE AI/ML | ~5,000–8,000 | ~12,000–20,000 | ~40,000–65,000 |
| ISE | ~5,000–8,500 | ~12,000–22,000 | ~40,000–70,000 |
| ECE | ~8,000–13,000 | ~18,000–30,000 | ~55,000–85,000 |
| EEE | ~12,000–20,000 | ~28,000–45,000 | ~70,000–1,05,000 |
| Mechanical | ~15,000–25,000 | ~35,000–55,000 | ~80,000–1,15,000 |
PESSAT — PES University Own Entrance
PESSAT (PES Scholastic Aptitude Test) is PES University's own entrance exam — conducted online at test centres across India. It covers Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (for engineering) or relevant subjects for other programmes. PESSAT scores are used for management quota and direct admission seats that aren't filled through KCET. Students who miss the KCET cutoff for PES can still get admission through PESSAT for the unaided seats. PESSAT registration opens at pes.edu — check the website for 2026-27 admission dates. The PESSAT difficulty level is lower than JEE Main but higher than a typical state board exam.
PES University Placements 2025
PES University placement highlights for 2024-25: highest package Rs 52 LPA (international offer), average CSE package Rs 10-14 LPA, 300+ companies recruited. Top recruiters: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Flipkart, Cisco, Qualcomm, Infosys, Wipro, TCS. PES University's Electronic City Phase 2 location gives students direct access to Infosys and Wipro campuses for internships during the degree — a genuine advantage over colleges in other parts of Bengaluru. Placement rate for CSE and ISE: above 85%. The deemed university status means PES degrees say "PES University" which some international employers and foreign universities recognise differently from VTU degrees.
PES University vs Government Colleges — Honest ROI
PES BE costs Rs 1.5-2.2 lakh per year — Rs 6-8.8 lakh over 4 years. RVCE (KCET) costs Rs 70,000 per year — Rs 2.8 lakh over 4 years. The fee gap is Rs 3-6 lakh over 4 years. PES average CSE package (Rs 10-14 LPA) versus RVCE average CSE package (Rs 10-15 LPA) — nearly identical. The honest verdict: if your KCET rank gets RVCE, choose RVCE. If your rank gets MSRIT or BMSCE but not RVCE — those are better value than PES at lower fees with comparable packages. PES makes sense when: your KCET rank gets PES CSE but not RVCE/MSRIT/BMSCE, AND you specifically want the Electronic City location for IT internships, AND the deemed university degree matters for your target employer or foreign university application.
