1 / 11Choosing a design college in India often comes down to two factors – reputation and fees. Government institutes dominate national rankings, but private universities are also part of the mix. Fee structures vary widely – from a few lakh per year to over ₹20 lakh for a full programme. (Image nift.ac.in) (The following is a list of ten well-known institutions and what students can expect to pay.)
2 / 11UPES, Dehradun | Established in 2003 under the UPES Act, UPES is a private university based in Dehradun. It offers design programmes across disciplines, including product and communication design. The total course fee is generally in the ₹20-25 lakh range. It is known for its industry-linked curriculum and modern campus facilities. . (Image Wikimedia Commons)
3 / 11National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad | Set up in 1961, NID Ahmedabad is a government institute and one of the oldest design schools in India. It is recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). Programme fees range between ₹16-18 lakh for the full course duration. Admission is through the NID Design Aptitude Test (DAT) ((Image nid.edu)
4 / 11NID Haryana | An autonomous institute, NID Haryana, offers a Graduate Diploma Programme in Design (GDPD). Specialisations include Industrial Design, Communication Design and Textile & Apparel Design. The total fee falls between ₹12-14 lakh. The curriculum includes industry exposure and field projects. (Image Facebook)
5 / 11NID Andhra Pradesh | Established in 2015, NID AP offers a Bachelor of Design (BDes) in three streams. Admission is through the two-stage NID DAT entrance exam. Annual fees are around ₹2.10 lakh, bringing total costs in line with other NIDs over the course duration. (Image nid.ac.in)
6 / 11NIFT Delhi | Founded in 1986 under the Ministry of Textiles, NIFT Delhi is ranked among the top fashion institutes in India by publications such as India Today and The Week. The BDes programme is popular. Fees range from ₹10-15 lakh for the full course. (Image nift.ac.in/delhi)
7 / 11NIFT Bangalore | Also established in 1986, NIFT Bangalore is a public institute. In 2025 rankings, it placed among the top three fashion colleges nationally across multiple agencies. Course fees are typically between ₹10-15 lakh. (Image nift.ac.in/bangalore)
8 / 11NIFT Shillong | Founded in 2008, NIFT Shillong is a smaller campus but features in national rankings. Fees are in the ₹10-15 lakh range for design programmes. (Image nift.ac.in/shillong/)
9 / 11NIFT Mumbai | Established in 1995, NIFT Mumbai operates in what is often described as India’s fashion capital. It has ranked in the top tier in 2025 fashion design rankings. Course costs are around ₹10-15 lakh. (Image nift.ac.in)
10 / 11NIFT Gandhinagar | NIFT Gandhinagar offers programmes in design, fashion management and technology. It is known for updated infrastructure and industry connections. Fees remain in the ₹10-15 lakh bracket.(Image nift.ac.in/gandhinagar/)
11 / 11Woxsen University, Hyderabad | Woxsen University is a private institution approved by UGC and accredited by EFMD, BCI and COA. It has featured in Asia-Pacific business school rankings. Design-related programmes cost roughly ₹15-17 lakh for the full duration. (Image woxen.edu.in) Government institutes such as NID and NIFT campuses continue to dominate design education in India. Private universities like UPES and Woxsen offer alternatives – often at a higher fee point. Prospective students typically need to weigh entrance exam competitiveness, campus location and total cost before deciding.
