In the debate between NIT CSE and IIIT CSE, choosing the best option after the JEE Main 2026 results may depend on several factors. These factors usually include the type of specialization, the JEE Main rank, and the expected salary package, among others. Both NITs and IIITs have their individual pros and cons, and are extensively known for their placement opportunities. While the placement rates in NITs are slightly higher than IIITs, the latter is known for its scope in landing core coding job roles. The range of salary packages offered to these institutes, however, is very different from one another. IIITs usually have higher salary package offers when compared to the NITs. The reason behind this lies in the specialized CSE curriculum offered by the IIITs with a strong focus on information technology. If you are wondering which institute is a better choice for your career prospects, a clear comparison between the two is likely to help you out.
Also Check - JEE Main Safe Rank for IIIT CSE Admission 2026: Detailed Analysis of Previous Years' Trends
Who Offers a Higher Package in NIT CSE vs IIIT CSE Placement 2026?
Over 16,900 students in 2025 were reportedly placed at top-tier companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, etc., from all 31 NITs combined. The average placement rate for NIT CSE was recorded to be around 85% to 95% last year. On the other hand, the average placement rate for IIIT CSE was between 65% to 95% in last year. While comparing the placement statistics in NITs vs IIITs, you may think that NITs are likely to offer a higher salary package than that of the IIITs. While this may be true for the top NITs with the highest packages offered to students, the top-tier IIITs have also been consistently edging out the top NITs in terms of average salary packages for the CSE branch. An analysis of the past year comparison for the NIT vs IIIT placement data has been mentioned here for a detailed reference:
NIT CSE Placement Rates & Highest Package Comparison
The highest salary package offered during the placements at one of the NITs in 2025 was Rs. 1.2 Crore Per Annum. The average salary range on the other hand was around Rs. 45 LPA. The placement rates in the majority of these institutes are between 80% to 95% on average. That means that one can expect the highest salary package during the NIT placement 2026 to be around Rs. 65 LPA to Rs. 1 Crore Per Annum.
Name of the Institute | Placement Rate in 2025 | Highest Package Offered in 2025 | Expected Highest Package in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIT Trichy | 95% | Rs. 64 LPA | Rs. 65 LPA |
| NIT Surathkal | 93% | Rs. 63.3 LPA | Rs. 65 LPA |
| NIT Warangal | 86.47% | Rs. 1.2 Crore Per Annum | Rs. 80 LPA |
| NIT Rourkela | 85% | Rs. 62.44 LPA | Rs. 65 LPA |
| NIT Jamshedpur | 93% | Rs. 82 LPA | Rs. 90 LPA |
| NIT Patna | 95% | Rs. 41 LPA | Rs. 50 LPA |
| NIT Delhi | 86% | Rs. 60 LPA | Rs. 65 LPA |
| MNIT Jaipur | 77.27% | Rs. 64 LPA | Rs. 70 LPA |
| NIT Calicut | 72.98% | Rs. 22 LPA | Rs. 35 LPA |
| NIT Srinagar | 76.94% | Rs. 19.2 LPA | Rs. 25 LPA |
| NIT Durgapur | 82% | Rs. 80 LPA | Rs. 85 LPA |
| NIT Silchar | 95% | Rs. 55 LPA | Rs. 60 LPA |
*Note: For an in-depth analysis, you may refer to NIT Placement - Check Highest Packages and Top Recruiters of All NITs .
IIIT CSE Placement Rates & Highest Package Comparison
By looking at the previous year’s placement analysis, it can be seen that the highest package offered at one of the top IIITs was Rs. 1.45 Crore Per Annum. The average package offered to any student during the 2025 placement was around Rs. 55 LPA. Therefore, if you are seeking opportunities with the highest package after CSE, IIIT might be your best choice. While the placement rates in IIITs are comparatively lower than those of NITs, the maximum scope for a higher package opportunity is better in IIITs.
Name of the Institute | Placement Rate in 2025 | Highest Package Offered in 2025 | Expected Highest Package in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
97.9% | Rs. 1.20 Crore Per Annum | Rs. 90 LPA | |
| IIIT Surat | 70% | Rs. 1.20 Crore Per Annum | Rs. 90 LPA |
93.6% | Rs. 1.20 Crore Per Annum | Rs. 90 LPA | |
| IIIT Guwahati | 66.99% | Rs. 58.3 LPA | Rs. 65 LPA |
| IIIT Bhagalpur | 96% | Rs. 83 LPA | Rs. 85 LPA |
| IIIT Nagpur | 97.10% | Rs. 60 LPA | Rs. 70 LPA |
| IIIT Vadodara | 90% | Rs. 56.30 LPA | Rs. 65 LPA |
| IIIT Trichy | 40% | Rs. 46.67 LPA | Rs. 55 LPA |
| IIIT Pune | 51.35% | Rs. 45 LPA | Rs. 60 LPA |
96% | Rs. 1.45 Crore Per Annum | Rs. 1 Crore Per Annum |
Also Check - JEE Main Safe Rank Prediction for NIT CSE Admission 2026
Do FAANG Companies Prefer IIITs or Top NITs?
If you are planning to work with one of the FAANG companies after your B.Tech CSE degree, you will find many opportunities for placements at both the top NITs and IIITs. Companies like Meta, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google, and other tech giants visit during the placement sessions to offer roles in core software development, AI and Machine Learning engineering, and data science positions. A detailed breakdown of the preferences and what these companies usually look for while recruiting has been provided here for a better understanding:
Type of Institute | Pros | Cons | Conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|
NIT | These institutes see a consistent recruitment opportunity from all the FAANG companies every year. | The placement rates of the FAANG companies in NITs are lower in comparison to the IIITs. | NITs will be a better choice for those who wish to explore different job roles with a higher placement guarantee and a lucrative salary package. |
A wide range of roles in software development, product management, and technical consulting are usually offered to students from NITs. | A limited percentage of students usually land pure coding roles after graduating CSE degree from NITs. | ||
Students are often shortlisted from NITs by these companies because of their strong foundational engineering knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and diverse skill sets. | A separate training program for recruits from the NITs is often conducted by these companies after placement. This is due to the lack of a specialized curriculum in the NIT CSE, which is often regarded as an ad hoc responsibility by these companies. | ||
The salary package offered by these companies to NIT graduates are also highly competitive. | - | ||
IIITs | These institutes are often given more preference by the FAANG companies due to their specialized curriculum and strong competitive programming learning culture. | The cutoffs are usually lower in the IIITs, which also increases the competition level for recruitment in the top FAANG companies. | IITs will be better options for students who wish to land core coding roles at the top FAANG companies, with the highest salary package. However, since the placement rates in these institutions are comparatively lower than NITs, the competition may be tougher to land opportunities in the FAANG companies. |
Over 90% placement rates at the IIITs are usually observed from the FAANG companies every year. | The average placement rate is lower than the NITs. | ||
Recruiters from these companies usually find the IIIT graduates to be "industry-ready" with a deep understanding of technical skills. | The scope of getting offers for diverse roles is limited in IIITs when compared to NITs. | ||
The salary package offered by these companies are comparatively higher than the NITs. | - | ||
A larger density of IIIT graduates is usually recruited for pure coding roles in these companies due to their specialized training. | - |
Also Check - IIT vs NIT: What the Real Difference Means for Engineering Aspirants
B.Tech CSE Specialization in NIT vs IIIT
The B.Tech CSE specialization in NITs offers a wider range of opportunities in foundational engineering. On the contrary, IIITs have shaped their B.Tech CSE specialization into a more curriculum-focused program which majorly deals with emphasis on advanced programming and modern tech.
Particulars | Top Tier NITs | Top Tier IIITs |
|---|---|---|
Academic Approach | A holistic approach towards all branches of engineering | A specialized approach towards core coding engineering branches, with the primary focus on Information Technology |
Average Cutoff for CSE |
|
|
Top Specializations To Consider | Computer Science, AI and Machine Learning, Bio Data Analysis, Information Technology, etc. | AI and Machine Learning, Information Technology, Data Science and Analytics, Cybersecurity, etc. |
Average Tuition Fees for 4 Years | Rs. 5 Lakh | Rs. 16 Lakh |
Average Placement Package | Rs. 45 LPA | Rs. 55 LPA |
Top Recruiters | Oracle, Intel, Samsung, Cognizant, Amazon, Google, etc. | Amazon, Meta, Google, Apple, Qualcomm, Goldman Sachs, etc. |
What To Choose in NIT CSE vs IIIT CSE?
The final choice in the NIT CSE vs IIIT CSE depends on your preferred specialization and desired career opportunities. While choosing NIT CSE is no doubt going to yield you good results in terms of placement opportunities, IIITs on the other hand are a better option for core engineering roles. The salary packages during IIIT placements are usually higher than the NITs, although the placement rates are comparatively lower. Moreover, the competition level during IIIT placements is slightly higher than the NIT placements.
To conclude, those who are passionate about making a career in software development or in research-specific tech domains, IIITs will be a better choice. The knowledge-driven curriculum is also going to help in building startup careers in the core coding industries. However, if you are not sure about the niche for your future career yet, you can opt for NITs which will offer you a wide range of general approaches to choose from.
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