Top 10 Art Colleges in Chennai

Chennai, the Creative City of Music, as per UNESCO,  stands out for its deep-rooted cultural legacy and academic diversity. The city hosts over 75 arts and science colleges spread across the city, including autonomous institutions, government colleges, and University of Madras affiliates. However, when seeking quality education, navigating such an extensive academic landscape can be challenging. So, this blog walks you through the top 10 arts colleges in Chennai to help you make an informed choice, regardless of whether you want to pursue a course in humanities, liberal arts, or fine arts. 

1. Presidency College, Chennai

Founded in 1840, Presidency College is one of the oldest and top art colleges in Chennai and India, as a whole. Known for its rich academic legacy, this government college bagged an A+ grade from NAAC and ranks 5th in the NIRF 2024 listing of top colleges in India. Some of the most popular programs offered by this college are B.A. in Economics, History, Political Science, and M.A. in History and Tamil Literature. 

Admission Process: Admission is based purely on merit from your 10+2 board exam results. You need to apply via the official college portal during the Tamil Nadu Government Arts & Science admissions cycle.

Approximate Fees: ₹1,295 per year for undergraduate programs and ₹865 to ₹870 annually for postgraduate programs.  

Approximate Placement Package: Average packages range from ₹1.5 LPA to ₹3 LPA, depending on the course and recruitment year (varies according to department and batch).

2. Madras Christian College (MCC), Chennai

Standing tall since 1837, Madras Christian College (MCC) is one of Asia’s oldest liberal arts institutions, affiliated with the University of Madras. The college has been accredited with an A++ grade by NAAC and secured the 14th position in the NIRF 2024 rankings in the overall colleges in India category. B.A. in English Language, Philosophy, and M.A. in Public Administration are some of the popular courses available here. 

Admission Process: Admissions to this college are based on 10+2 merit. 

Approximate Fees: For undergrads, ​₹25,000 to ₹56,000 annually, and for postgrads, ₹56,914 annually. 

Approximate Placement Package: The median salary offered to B.A. graduates is approximately ₹3.25 LPA, varying by department and batch.

3. Loyola College, Chennai

Established in 1925, Loyola College is one of the top arts colleges in Chennai and a premier Jesuit institution affiliated with the University of Madras. It holds an A++ grade from NAAC and ranks 6th in the NIRF 2024 rankings. The college is especially known for its B.A. programs in English Literature, Economics, and History, along with M.A. degrees in English and Social Work.

Admission Process: Admissions are either based on merit or the college’s self-conducted entrance exam. 

Approximate Fees: ₹11,900 to  ₹22,580 per year for undergraduate programs and ₹53,040 to ₹75,680 per year for postgraduate programs. 

Approximate Placement Package: Average salary ranges between ₹3.5 LPA to ₹6.5 LPA, depending on program and recruiter.

4. Stella Maris College, Chennai

Stella Maris is considered another of the top arts colleges in Chennai, offering academic programs specifically to female students since 1947. The college garnered an “A” grade from NAAC and was ranked 30 in India under NIRF 2024. Popular progarms available here include B.A. in Sociology and M.A. in English Literature, and M.A.in  History. The curriculum is modern and interdisciplinary, reflecting both academic rigour and co-curricular enrichment.

Admission Process: Admissions are typically based on your merit in the last qualifying exam (10+2). However, admission to certain courses may involve an interview or test. 

Approximate Fees: ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per year for undergraduate arts programs (self-financed courses or add-on programs can be higher). For postgraduate courses, it’s ₹26,320 to ₹34,570 annually.

Approximate Placement Package: ₹3.5 to 4 LPA. The highest packages have reached about ₹8 to 10 LPA in recent years​. 

Also Read: Best Arts Colleges in Bangalore 

5. Women’s Christian College (WCC), Chennai

Another women-only college in Chennai, known as Women’s Christian College, is a reputed autonomous institution for various arts degree programs. Affiliated with the University of Madras, the college has secured an A+ grade from NAAC and was positioned 67th in the NIRF 2024 college list. Some of the most sought-after programs are B.A. in History and Psychology, as well as M.A. in English Literature and M.A. in Communication.

Admission Process: Admissions are based on merit as well as your scores in national-level entrance exams like CUET. 

Approximate Fees: ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 per year for most undergraduate arts programs and ₹56,834 to ₹1,46,000 per year for postgraduate programs. 

Approximate Placement Package: Average packages are around ₹3 to 4 LPA, with higher offers going up to ₹6 LPA in recent drives.

6. Guru Nanak College, Chennai

Guru Nanak College, founded under the aegis of the Guru Nanak Educational Society in 1971, is a top choice for students in Chennai when it comes to pursuing arts degree programs. Having an A++ grade from NAAC, the college is renowned for offering affordable and inclusive arts education. B.A. in Defence and Strategic Studies and B.A. Corporate Economics are the two best courses available here. 

Admission Process: Admissions are based on your 10+2 merit; no entrance tests or state-level counselling are involved.

Approximate Fees: ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 per year for most undergraduate arts courses, and ₹19,450 annually for most of the postgraduate courses. 

Approximate Placement Package: ₹2 to 4 LPA on average, with top packages in recent years reaching up to ₹5–6 LPA.

7. Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai

Offering top-notch education since 1948, Ethiraj College is a leading women-only arts college in Chennai, affiliated with the University of Madras. The college holds an A+ grade from NAAC and was placed at the 79th position in the NIRF 2024 rankings. The top programs offered by this college are  B.A. in English Literature, History, and Tourism & Travel Management, along with M.A. in Economics.

Admission Process: Admissions are merit-based, but for undergraduate self-financed courses specifically, 50% weightage is given on merit and 50% on open competition. 

Approximate Fees: ₹5,000 to ₹40,000 per year, depending on the degree and course stream (aided vs self-financed).

Approximate Placement Package: ₹2.5 to 3.5 LPA on average, with top offers reaching ₹6 to 9 LPA for select roles.

Also Read: Top Arts Colleges in Mumbai 

8. D.G. Vaishnav College, Chennai

Dwaraka Doss Goverdhan Doss Vaishnav College, founded in 1964, is one of the top co-educational autonomous colleges in Chennai. With an A++ grade from NAAC, the college is well-regarded for providing a diverse mix of traditional and contemporary arts programs. Some of the top choices are B.A. in Economics, B.A. in Criminology, and M.A. in Journalism and Communication. 

Admission Process: Admissions to this college are given following your scores in the last qualifying exam (10+2); no entrance tests or state counselling is required.

Approximate Fees: ₹8,000 to ₹33,000 per year, depending on the stream (aided or self-financed) and degree (bachelor’s or master’s)

Approximate Placement Package: ₹2 to 3.5 LPA on average, with top offers reaching up to ₹6 LPA for arts graduates in communication and business-facing roles.

9. Queen Mary’s College, Chennai

Queen Mary’s College, one of the oldest in South India, began its journey in 1914 as the first government-run women’s college in Chennai. Today, it’s one of the top choices for arts programs, accredited with an ‘A’ grade from NAAC and got the 71st rank in NIRF 2024. Known for its legacy in classical studies and music, the college offers popular programs such as B.A. in Tamil Literature and Music, along with an M.A. in History.

Admission Process: Admissions to the undergraduate courses are solely merit based. However, for postgraduate courses, there may be an interview or entrance test, depending on  the college’s discretion.

Approximate Fees: ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 per year. 

Approximate Placement Package: ₹1.8 to 3 LPA on average, with a few top performers securing up to ₹5 LPA.

10. The New College, Chennai

With a legacy dating back to 1951, the New College stands as a prominent arts college in Chennai. The A++ NAAC accreditation received by the college undercsores its commitment to quality education. While there are a vast number of arts programs available here, the most popular ones are B.A. in English Literature, B.A. in Economics, and M.A. in History.

Admission Process: Admissions are usually based on merit, considering the marks obtained in the 10+2 examination. 

Approximate Fees: ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 per year for undergraduate programs; postgraduate fees are slightly higher.

Approximate Placement Package: Average packages range from ₹2 to ₹3.5 LPA, with top offers going up to ₹5 LPA in recent years.​

To sum up, these top 10 arts colleges in Chennai have been selected based on official rankings, NAAC grades, and program quality. From government-run institutions to reputed autonomous colleges, the city offers diverse and affordable options for students in the humanities and fine arts. Before applying, always refer to the respective college websites for the latest admission details. 

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