IIT vs IISc: Which is Better in 2025? Placement, Package, Ranking & More Compared!
Shruti
05/04/2025
Table of Contents
Confused between IITs and IISc for your future? With JEE Advanced and other top exams approaching, lakhs of students are asking the same question — IIT vs IISc: Which is better for research, placements, and future growth?
We did a deep dive to give you a complete comparison of IIT vs IISc in 2025, including:
- Rankings
- Packages
- Campus Life
- Courses
- Research & Placements
Read this before filling out your JoSAA or IISc UGA counselling choices!
Quick Comparison: IIT vs IISc at a Glance
| Parameter | IITs (Top 5) | IISc Bangalore |
|---|---|---|
| Best Known For | Engineering + Tech + Startups | Research + Science + Innovation |
| Admission Exam | JEE Advanced | JEE Advanced / KVPY / JAM / GATE |
| NIRF Ranking 2023 | IIT Madras – Rank 1 | IISc Bangalore – Rank 1 (Overall) |
| Avg UG Package | ₹15–25 LPA (IITB/IITD/IITM) | ₹10–12 LPA |
| PG Research Output | High in select branches | Extremely High (Top in India) |
| Campus Type | Tech-oriented | Science and Research-focused |
| Popular Programs | BTech, Dual Degrees, MTech, MBA | BSc (Research), MTech (Research) |
NIRF Ranking Battle: IISc vs IITs
In the NIRF India Rankings 2023:
- IISc Bangalore ranked #1 overall in the country (surpassing IIT Madras).
- IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, and IIT Bombay lead in the engineering category.
So if you’re looking for engineering + placements, IITs shine. But for pure science and research, IISc wins hands down.
Placement & Salary: IIT vs IISc
| Category | IITs (Top 5) | IISc Bangalore |
|---|---|---|
| UG Avg Package | ₹15–25 LPA | ₹10–12 LPA |
| Top UG Offers | ₹1–2 Cr+ (international offers) | ₹30–40 LPA (limited but elite) |
| PG Avg Package | ₹10–18 LPA | ₹15–20 LPA |
| Research Roles | Fewer, industry-focused | Higher, core science labs |
| Startups | Many founders from IITs | Limited |
Verdict: IITs are better for mass placements and entrepreneurship, while IISc suits core researchers and scientists.
Research, Faculty & Innovation
| Aspect | IITs | IISc |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty-Student Ratio | 1:15 (avg) | 1:9 (best in India) |
| Research Projects | High, mostly applied | Highest research output in India |
| Global Collaborations | Good | Excellent (Tie-ups with MIT, Harvard) |
| Innovation Support | IIT Madras has top incubators | IISc has multiple science labs |
If you’re looking at PhD, MS, or global research, IISc is unmatched. But IITs excel in practical, applied innovation.
Campus Life & Culture
| Factor | IITs | IISc Bangalore |
|---|---|---|
| Campus Size | 400–1000 acres | ~440 acres (lush green) |
| Events | Techfests, cultural fests, etc. | Academic-focused |
| Student Life | Vibrant, startup-driven | Academic, quiet, focused |
| Location Benefit | Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, etc. | Located in tech hub Bangalore |
Popular Courses
IITs
- BTech in CSE, ECE, Mech, Civil, etc.
- Dual Degree (BTech + MTech)
- MTech, MSc, MBA (IIT Bombay, Delhi)
- Interdisciplinary Programs
IISc Bangalore
- BSc (Research) – JEE Adv/KVPY route
- MTech (Research-based)
- PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Bio, Data Science
- Integrated PhD (after Class 12)
Final Verdict: IIT vs IISc — Who Should Choose What?
| You Should Choose | If You Want… |
|---|---|
| IITs | High packages, global tech careers, startup culture |
| IISc | Core research, PhD abroad, science innovation |
Both are prestigious, but your career goal should guide your choice.
Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing IIT or IISc
- Only looking at salary—Research-focused students do better at IISc long-term.
- Ignoring course structure—IISc doesn’t offer BTech, so don’t expect it.
- Not checking PG programs—IISc offers world-class MS/PhD in core science.
FAQs: IIT vs IISc
1. Which is better, IISc or IIT for BTech?
IITs are better for BTech, since IISc does not offer a traditional BTech.
2. Can I get into IISc with JEE Advanced?
Yes. IISc offers UG admission through JEE Advanced, KVPY, and other exams.
3. Is IISc better for research?
Absolutely. IISc is India’s #1 institute for scientific research and PhD-level studies.
4. Who gets higher salary: IIT or IISc students?
IIT UG students tend to get higher salaries due to placement focus. IISc students do better in research and long-term academic careers.
5. Is IISc tougher than IITs?
It depends. IISc has rigorous academics but fewer students, while IITs have more competitive entrance and placements.
Also Reads :
IIT Bombay Trust Lab Summer Internship 2025: Advanced Research in Cyber Security & Digital Privacy
IISc Bangalore Research Internship 2025: Paid Opportunities in AI/ML at DREAM:Lab
Want Counselling Guidance for IITs or IISc?
Join our WhatsApp Group to get:
- JoSAA Choice Filling Help
- IISc Admission Strategy
- Research & Career Roadmaps
Join WhatsApp Group Now https://chat.whatsapp.com/E2WwPEfPdvX9E05wkZ6q5W
Bookmark this page: Formfees.com/news
