NIT vs IIIT - Which is the Best Option after JEE Main 2024? (in terms of fee, placements, campus facilities, cutoffs)

NIT vs IIIT: Are you planning to appear for the JEE Main 2024 exam this year? If yes, then you must be aiming for the top engineering colleges, like NITs and IIITs. To get admission to these prestigious institutes, you will have to appear for the JoSAA counselling 2024, which will take place after the JEE Main 2024 and JEE Advanced 2024 exams. But many students often wonder - NIT vs IIIT - which is better? The key difference between NITs and IIITs is that NITs (National Institute of Technology) are a group of 31 autonomous public institutions offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the fields of Engineering, Management, Architecture, and Science, while IIIITs (Indian Institute of Information Technology) are an alliance of 26 centrally-funded technical institutes primarily offering courses on Information Technology and allied areas at the UG, PG, and PhD levels. Besides,NITs and IIITs also differ in terms of fee structure, infrastructure, admission cutoffs, placements and so on. This article will give students an insight into the various parameters that will make it easier for them to decide NIT vs IIIT - which is the best option after JEE Main 2024.

NIT vs IIIT: Overview

While drawing out an analysis between NIT vs IIIT, IIITs specialize in IT and Computer Science only, whereas NITs specialize in a variety of technical fields. The key highlights pertaining to NIT vs IIIT have been discussed below.

NIT (National Institutes of Technology)

NIT stands for National Institutes of Technology, which are prestigious institutes of India specializing in engineering education both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

• NITs offer a wide range of scientific and technology-focused undergraduate and graduate programmes to the eligible candidates.
• Admission into the B.Tech programmes offered at any of India's 31 NITs is conducted via the JoSAA counseling process, taking into consideration the candidate's AIR rank from JEE Main 2024. 
• The GATE entrance exam determines who gets admitted into the M.Tech programmes offered at NITs, while CCMT looks after seat allocation. 
• NITs are funded adequately by the Central government. The low tuition fees at these institutes results from financing from the central government. 
• Diversity is lower in NITs than in other state government colleges due to the 50% or higher reservations for state students.

IIIT (Indian Institute of Information Technology)

IIIT stands for Indian Institute of Information Technology. These institutes focus on information technology courses, along with other courses.

• IIIT colleges ofIndia provide candidates with technical education focusing on IT and CS. 
• Various entrance exams such as JEE Mains, GATE, etc., are required for securing admission into the IIIT colleges of India. 
• IIITs also conduct institutional entrance exams which candidates can appear for. 
• After graduating from one of India's IIIT institutes, graduates have various great job opportunities. 
• The IIT institutions which offer high packages in India are IIIT Bangalore, IIIT Hyderabad, IIITM Gwalior, and IIITDM Jabalpur.

NIT vs IIIT Comparison 

While comparing NIT vs IIIT, it is evident that education at NITs is more academic and theoretical while that in IIITs is more specific and industry-oriented. The table below presents an NIT vs IIIT comparison based on multiple factors to help students make an informed decision as to which institute would be better for them based.

NIT vs IIIT: Number of Institutes

While comparing NIT vs IIIT, candidates might find various differences, but both have highly qualified faculty who are experts in their respective fields of study. In India, there are a total of 31 NIT colleges alongwith 25 IIIT colleges, both of which are renowned for offering excellent engineering programmes to the eligible candidates. The NIT and IIIT colleges have been listed below.

Is NIT and IIIT the same?

No, NITs and IIITs are not the same, although both are premiere institutes counted among the Top Engineering Colleges of India. A collection of 31 esteemed establishments, the National Institutes of Technology (NIT) was founded in India to offer additional engineering education. It has been demonstrated that NITs promote both regional and cultural diversity. On the other hand, 26 multidisciplinary technology-based engineering research institutions in India, with an emphasis on information technology, make up the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs). Five of them are developed, sponsored, and run by the Ministry of Education (MOE). 

Also Read:CSE Vs ECE: Which is Best in Today's Era?

NIT vs IIIT: Eligibility Criteria 

NIT vs IIIT: Top 5 Institutes as per NIRF Ranking 2023

Candidates can check NIT vs IIIT - which is better based on the NIRF ranking 2023. We have listed the top 5 institutes and their current rankings that will help the students make an informed decision before shortlisting the colleges. 

Also read:Scholarships Offered by Top IIITs

NIT vs IIITs: Courses Offered 

Both NITs and IIITs offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. However, IIITs primarily focus on Information Technology and Computer Science courses, while NITs offer a broader range of engineering specializations, like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical etc. So, for candidates who are interested in Information Technology or Computer Science Engineering, IIITs are a better fit than NITs. Check out the list of top courses offered by both institutes below - 

Also Read:List of B.Tech Specializations Offered by NITs

NITs vs IIITs: Fee Structure

The fee structure of a program is a deciding factor for many students who wish to seek admission after clearing JEE Mains. The fee structure of NITs varies according to the branch. There are a total of 31 NITs in India and their fees range from INR 1.5 Lakh to INR 3 Lakh per year. On the other hand, there are 26 IIITs across India with fees ranging from INR 50,000 to INR 5 Lakhs per year. The fee amount depends mainly on the program/course opted for. Let's take a look at a few courses offered by NIT and IIITs and their course fees.

Note: The amount mentioned above are approximate figures and may vary from one institute to another. 

Also read: NIT Colleges Accepting JEE Main Score in India

NIT vs IIIT: Admission Procedure 

Candidates find variations in the admission processes of NIT and IIIT. The qualifying entrance exam score at most IIIT and NIT colleges is the basic parameter for shortlisting candidates. The admission process for both NITs and IIITs have been explained in detail below.

NIT Admission Procedure

• Candidates are required to fill out the application form via the official website with all required information for NIT admissions.
• The application fee for NIT admission varies as per the institute and the programme candidates select.
• JoSAA conducts the counseling process for NIT admissions and is responsible for allotting seats at NITs. 
• The final admission selection at NITs is based on factors such as JEE Main rank, availability of seats, and choices filled. 

IIIT Admission Procedure

• Every IIIT has its online application form that eligible candidates should fill out and submit via the institution's official website.
• The registration fee for admission at IIITs vary as per the institution and the selected programme.
• After candidates qualify the entrance exam cutoff, they are notified about the counseling round. 
• Counseling for the allocation of seats at is managed by the JoSAA. Thus, counseling requires candidates to register online and provide their programme and institution preferences. 
• College authorities allocate the seats to the eligible candidates based on criteria such as the JEE Main rank, availability of seats, number of choices selected, etc.

NIT vs IIIT: Entrance Exams 

The various entrance exams accepted by NIT & IIIT for admission into various courses have been listed below.

NITs vs IIITs Placements

The placement percentage and average placement package of a company are very crucial when it comes to taking admissions. NITs have a high placement rate of 89% and the average salary is 7.5LPA. Whereas IIITs have a placement rate of 75% and the average package for graduates is around 10LPA. Some of the major recruiters offering the highest placements include IT firms, like Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. 

Also read:NIT Placements 2024 - Check Highest Packages and Top Recruiters of all NITs

NIT vs IIIT: Cutoff

NIT Cutoff 

All NITs have distinct JEE Main cut-offs, and the same may vary for different programs or courses. Top NITs have different JEE Main cut-offs for restricted and unreserved categories. The JEE Main cut-off for NITs is determined based on some variables, including the exam's level of difficulty, the total number of available seats, and many more. The table below shows the category-wise NIT cutoff as per the previous year's data. 

Also read:IIIT Placements: Check Highest Package & Top Recruiters of all IIITs

IIIT Cutoff

The cutoff marks for IIITs vary according to the chosen program. The minimum score needed for admission to different IIIT programs is known as the IIIT cut-off. A multitude of elements, such as seat availability, overall student enrollment, exam difficulty level, and others, determine the IIIT cut-off for the best engineering colleges. Check the expected JEE Main cutoff marks for qualifying for admissions in IIITs. 

NIT vs IIIT Course wise Cutoff based Articles:

NIT vs IIIT: Campus Facilities

The facilities available at the campus make a multitude of differences when making the choice. The different facilities available for the students are an important factor as the students will spend a chunk of their time on campus after taking admission.