Ethiraj College for Women is a private autonomous arts and science college located in Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Established in 1948, it is affiliated to the University of Madras and recognised by UGC. The college is exclusively for women candidates and offers over 50 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across Arts, Science, Commerce, and Management. Ethiraj is one of the oldest and most established women’s colleges in Chennai.
As per NIRF Colleges 2025, Ethiraj College for Women is ranked 64th among Colleges in India, with an NIRF score of 57.64 — a climb of 15 ranks from its 2024 position. The college holds a NAAC A+ grade.
The campus is located in Egmore, central Chennai, spanning approximately 9 acres. The Egmore location places Ethiraj students within easy reach of Chennai’s corporate offices in Nungambakkam, Anna Salai, and the broader OMR IT corridor.
- Ethiraj offers a wide programme portfolio across aided and self-financing tracks:
- Arts (BA) — English, English and Communication, Economics, History, Business Economics, Travel and Tourism
- Commerce (B.Com) — Regular, Honours, Accounting and Finance, Banking Management, Corporate Secretaryship
- Management (BBA) — business administration
- Computer Applications (BCA) — undergraduate computer applications
- Science (B.Sc) — Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Botany, Zoology, Psychology, Visual Communication, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics
- MBA — postgraduate management
- MCA — postgraduate computer applications
- PG (MA/M.Sc/M.Com) — postgraduate programmes across Arts, Science, and Commerce
Aided programme fees start at approximately INR 28,698 for three years (BA Economics, BA History). Self-financing UG programmes range from INR 1.34 to 3.38 Lakhs for three years. MBA total fees are INR 6.43 Lakhs for two years, and MCA fees are INR 5.55 Lakhs for two years.
Placement outcomes from the 2024 season include a highest package of INR 10 LPA and an average package of INR 4 LPA, with a UG median of INR 4 LPA and a PG median of INR 3.6 LPA.
- Ethiraj College Admission Dates 2026
- Ethiraj College Courses and Fees
- Ethiraj College Admission Process
- Ethiraj College Placements
- Ethiraj College Rankings
- Ethiraj College Scholarships
- Ethiraj College Campus and Infrastructure
- Ethiraj College vs WCC Chennai vs Queen Mary’s College
- Ethiraj College FAQs
Ethiraj College Admission Dates 2026
Ethiraj College for Women manages all admissions directly through its own portal (ethirajcollege.edu.in). UG admissions for 2026-27 are currently open and merit-based on Class 12 results. MBA and MCA admissions are underway following TANCET 2026 results.
| Event | Status (2026-27) |
|---|---|
| UG (BA/B.Sc/B.Com/BBA/BCA) Applications | Open at ethirajcollege.edu.in (merit-based, no entrance exam) |
| TANCET 2026 Result (MBA/MCA) | Declared 22 May 2026 |
| MBA/MCA Admission | Ongoing — apply at ethirajcollege.edu.in |
| PG (MA/M.Sc/M.Com) Applications | Ongoing — based on UG aggregate marks |
| Application Fee | INR 50 per programme |
The table below covers the admission basis for each programme family offered at Ethiraj College for Women under the 2026-27 cycle.
| Programme | Admission Basis | Entrance Exam |
|---|---|---|
| BA / B.Sc / B.Com / BBA / BCA (UG) | Class 12 merit (no entrance exam) | None |
| MBA | TANCET / CAT / MAT scores + UG marks | TANCET 2026 |
| MCA | TANCET score + BCA / B.Sc (CS/IT / Maths) | TANCET 2026 |
| MA / M.Sc / M.Com | UG aggregate marks (no separate test) | None |
Ethiraj College Courses and Fees
Ethiraj College offers programmes under two funding structures. Aided programmes (government-funded) have significantly lower fees, while self-financing programmes carry higher fees. The table below covers key programmes across both categories.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Economics / History / Travel and Tourism) | 3 years | 10+2 (any stream) | INR 28,698 to 29,898 |
| BA (English) | 3 years | 10+2 (any stream) | INR 1,60,986 |
| BA (English and Communication) | 3 years | 10+2 (any stream) | INR 2,17,716 |
| B.Com (Regular / Banking / Corporate Secretaryship) | 3 years | 10+2 (Commerce / any stream) | INR 2,74,986 |
| B.Com (Hons.) | 3 years | 10+2 (Commerce) | INR 2,86,986 |
| BBA | 3 years | 10+2 (any stream) | INR 2,74,986 |
| BCA | 3 years | 10+2 (with Maths) | INR 2,80,986 |
| B.Sc (Computer Science) | 3 years | 10+2 (with Maths) | INR 2,56,986 |
| B.Sc (Visual Communication) | 3 years | 10+2 (any stream) | INR 3,37,986 |
| MBA | 2 years | Graduation (any stream) + TANCET / CAT | INR 6,42,920 |
| MCA | 2 years | BCA / B.Sc (CS/IT) + TANCET | INR 5,54,704 |
Aided programme fees (BA Economics, History, Zoology, Botany, Physics, Chemistry, and a few others) are significantly subsidised under the Tamil Nadu government aided college framework — total three-year fees remain below INR 30,000. The remaining self-financing programmes are funded through student fees, with Visual Communication and MBA among the highest-fee tracks. No programme at Ethiraj carries a management quota or NRI seat; all admissions are strictly merit-based.
Ethiraj College Admission Process
UG (BA/B.Sc/B.Com/BBA/BCA)
All UG admissions at Ethiraj College for Women are merit-based on Class 12 board aggregate marks. No separate entrance exam is required for UG admission.
- Only women candidates are eligible for all programmes
- Candidates from Tamil Nadu and other states may apply; Tamil Nadu domicile is not mandatory
- Tamil Nadu reservation norms apply: BC (30%), MBC (20%), SC (18%), SC(A) (2%), ST (1%)
- No management quota exists; all seats go through merit lists published on ethirajcollege.edu.in
- Application fee: INR 50 per programme, payable online
Admission cut-offs for popular self-financing programmes such as B.Sc Computer Science, BCA, and B.Com (Hons.) typically require Class 12 aggregates above 80 to 90%. Aided programme cut-offs vary by stream and category.
MBA and MCA
MBA admission requires a valid TANCET score along with UG marks from any discipline. CAT and MAT scores are also accepted for the MBA programme. MCA requires a BCA, B.Sc (CS/IT), or a degree with Mathematics at the UG level, along with a TANCET score. Both programmes are exclusively for women candidates. Selection involves counselling at the college based on TANCET/CAT/MAT score and UG aggregate.
PG (MA/M.Sc/M.Com)
PG admissions in Arts, Science, and Commerce disciplines are based on UG marks with no separate entrance test. Candidates must hold a UG degree in the corresponding subject. PG admissions at Ethiraj are highly competitive for popular streams such as M.Sc Computer Science, M.Sc Applied Psychology, and M.Com.
Ethiraj College Placements
Ethiraj College for Women runs a centralised Training and Placement Cell that manages campus recruitment for final-year UG and PG students. Given the college’s profile — predominantly Arts, Commerce, and Science graduates — placements are concentrated in IT services, BPO, retail banking, audit, and media sectors.
| Metric | 2024 Placement Season |
|---|---|
| Highest Package | INR 10 LPA |
| Average Package | INR 4 LPA |
| UG 3-year Median (NIRF 2025) | INR 4 LPA |
| PG 2-year Median (NIRF 2025) | INR 3.6 LPA |
Confirmed recruiters at Ethiraj placements include Deloitte, Ernst and Young (EY), Wipro, and HCL. B.Com and BBA graduates are absorbed into audit, finance, and retail banking roles. B.Sc Computer Science and BCA graduates enter IT services and software testing. Visual Communication graduates find placements in media, advertising, and content creation firms in Chennai. MBA graduates from Ethiraj typically enter roles in BFSI, HR, and retail sector companies based in Chennai and Bengaluru.
A significant share of Ethiraj graduates pursue competitive examinations (UPSC, TNPSC, bank PO, CA/CMA/CS) or further postgraduate studies (MA, M.Sc, MBA, MCA at other institutions), reflecting the Arts and Science-heavy profile of the student body.
Ethiraj College Rankings
Ethiraj College for Women is ranked 64th among Colleges in India by NIRF 2025, with an NIRF score of 57.64. The college climbed 15 positions from its 2024 ranking, reflecting improvements across research output, graduate outcomes, and peer perception parameters.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Colleges | 64 (Score: 57.64) |
Ethiraj College Scholarships
Ethiraj College students have access to central government, Tamil Nadu state government, and institutional scholarship schemes. The college’s autonomous status and Tamil Nadu government aided framework make most state and central government scholarships available to enrolled students.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu First Graduate Scholarship | First-generation graduates from government schools; Tamil Nadu domicile | INR 3,000 to 5,000 per annum |
| NSP PM-USP (Minority, Central) | Minority community; 80% in Class 12; parental income below INR 4.5 Lakhs | INR 82,000 per annum |
| NSP Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC/ST; family income below INR 2.5 Lakhs | Full fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance |
| Tamil Nadu BC/MBC Scholarship | BC/MBC category; Tamil Nadu domicile; parental income below INR 2 Lakhs | Annual cash award |
| Ethiraj College Merit Scholarship | Top performers in end-semester exams (varies by department) | Cash award or partial fee waiver |
Applications for central government scholarships (PM-USP, NSP Post-Matric) are managed at scholarships.gov.in. Tamil Nadu government scholarships are managed at tnscholarships.tn.gov.in. Ethiraj’s own merit awards are announced departmentally at the end of each academic year.
Ethiraj College Campus and Infrastructure
The Ethiraj College for Women campus spans approximately 9 acres in Egmore, central Chennai. The Egmore location is well-connected via Chennai Egmore railway station (suburban rail and MRTS) and CMBT-bound MTC buses, making the college accessible from across Chennai without a long commute.
The campus maintains department-specific laboratories for Science, Computer Science, and Media programmes, a central library, a language lab, and a seminar hall. The Visual Communication department has a dedicated studio and production facility. The college also runs the Ethiraj Science Forum, Management Association, and Computer Science Association — active student bodies organising workshops and guest lectures from industry.
A girls’ hostel is available on campus, with fees up to INR 32,000 per year for residential and boarding charges. Hostel seats are limited; allocation is on a first-come, first-served or merit basis. Many students from Chennai and its suburbs commute daily given the central location and good public transport connectivity.
Ethiraj College vs WCC Chennai vs Queen Mary’s College
Ethiraj College for Women, Women’s Christian College (WCC) Chennai, and Queen Mary’s College Chennai are three of the most prominent women’s colleges in the city, all affiliated to the University of Madras. They serve a similar aspirant pool — women students from Tamil Nadu and other states seeking an autonomous or government-recognised women’s college education in Chennai.
| Parameter | Ethiraj College | WCC Chennai | Queen Mary’s College |
|---|---|---|---|
| Established | 1948 | 1915 | 1914 |
| Type | Private Autonomous | Private Autonomous (Christian Minority) | Government Autonomous |
| NAAC Grade | A+ | A+ | A+ |
| NIRF Colleges 2025 | 64 | To be verified | Government college (separate ranking stream) |
| UG Aided Fees (3 years) | INR 28,698 to 29,898 | INR 30,000 to 50,000 (est.) | INR 5,000 to 15,000 |
| UG Self-financing Fees (3 years) | INR 1.34 to 3.38 Lakhs | INR 1.5 to 4.0 Lakhs (est.) | Government rates |
| Placement Avg. Package | INR 4 LPA | INR 3.5 to 5 LPA | INR 3 to 4 LPA |
Ethiraj leads in NIRF ranking among the three and has a diverse programme portfolio spanning Commerce, Management, and Science streams. WCC is older and has a strong reputation in Arts, Social Sciences, and Media programmes, with a Christian minority institutional character. Queen Mary’s (government autonomous) offers the lowest fees but has a more limited programme range. Applicants from Science backgrounds with strong Class 12 marks tend to find Ethiraj’s B.Sc (Computer Science, Data Science, Biochemistry) offerings particularly suitable for Chennai’s IT job market.
Ethiraj College FAQs
Ques. Is Ethiraj College only for women?
Ans. Yes. Ethiraj College for Women admits only women candidates for all programmes — UG, PG, MBA, and MCA. Male candidates are not eligible. The college has maintained its women-only character since its founding in 1948.
Ques. What is Ethiraj College’s NIRF ranking?
Ans. Ethiraj College for Women is ranked 64th among Colleges in India by NIRF 2025, with an NIRF score of 57.64. The college climbed 15 ranks from its 2024 position. It holds a NAAC A+ grade.
Ques. Does Ethiraj College require an entrance exam for UG admission?
Ans. No entrance exam is required for UG (BA/B.Sc/B.Com/BBA/BCA) admissions. Admission is based purely on Class 12 board aggregate marks. Applications are submitted online at ethirajcollege.edu.in. MBA and MCA require a valid TANCET score.
Ques. What are the fees at Ethiraj College?
Ans. Aided UG programmes (BA Economics, History, Zoology, Botany, etc.) cost between INR 28,698 and INR 29,898 for the full three-year duration — among the lowest fees at any autonomous college in Chennai. Self-financing UG programmes (B.Sc Computer Science, BCA, B.Com Hons., Visual Communication) range from INR 1.34 to 3.38 Lakhs for three years. MBA total fees are INR 6.43 Lakhs and MCA fees are INR 5.55 Lakhs for two years.
Ques. What are placement opportunities at Ethiraj College?
Ans. Ethiraj’s placement season 2024 recorded an average package of INR 4 LPA and a highest package of INR 10 LPA. Confirmed recruiters include Deloitte, EY, Wipro, and HCL. B.Sc Computer Science and BCA graduates enter IT services; B.Com and BBA graduates enter finance and retail banking. A significant share of Ethiraj graduates also pursue competitive exams (UPSC, TNPSC, bank PO) or further studies.
Ques. Is hostel available at Ethiraj College?
Ans. Yes. Ethiraj College provides a girls’ hostel on campus with fees up to INR 32,000 per year for residential and boarding charges. Hostel seats are limited; allocation is done on merit or first-come, first-served basis. Many students commute from within Chennai and its suburbs via suburban rail and MTC bus, given the college’s central Egmore location.
Ques. Is Ethiraj College government or private?
Ans. Ethiraj College for Women is a private autonomous college, affiliated to the University of Madras. It is not a government college. However, some of its programmes run under the Tamil Nadu government aided category, which means those programmes receive government funding and carry significantly lower fees. The college is approved by UGC and holds NAAC A+ accreditation.
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Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai, admission 2026-27 is expected to open in May 2026, with UG/PG applications starting in the first week of May and the last date to apply around 31 May 2026. Admissions are merit-based for most courses, while the MBA/MCA uses TANCET scores.
Yes, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai, offers the BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) programme as part of its undergraduate courses. The seat intake for BCA is about 50 students per year, and admission is merit?based on your 10+2 results (with required subjects).
The fee for the BSc in Microbiology is mentioned below:
Yes, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai, does offer a B.Sc. in Mathematics program. The selection is merit-based, determined by marks scored in the +2 (higher secondary) examination
Ethiraj College for Women offers a wide range of UG, PG, and PhD courses in different fields in AIDED and SELF SUPPORTING format. Admission to all the UG courses is merit-based. Admission to MBA and MCA is based on TANCET scores. Final selection for MBA is based on Group discussion and Personal Interview round.
Ethiraj College for Women offers B.Sc. as its flagship program and B.Sc. 2025 fee range from INR 31,831 - INR 56,331. Admissions is based on the eligibility criteria that the candidate must have qualified 10+2 from a recognized board.
Ethiraj College for Women in Chennai offers a structured admission process for its UG, PG, MBA, and MCA programs. Applicants can either apply for AIDED courses or SELF SUPPORTING courses.
The fee for the courses is mentioned below:
B.Sc
B.Com
BA
Bachelor of Computer Applications [BCA]
Master of Business Administration [MBA]
Bachelor of Business Administration [BBA]
Bachelor of Commerce [B.Com] {Hons.}
MCA
The fee for the BBA course is mentioned below:
Ethiraj College for Women in Chennai does not offer a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) in Computer Applications. The college offers B.A, B.Com., and B.Sc. programmes, while the self-supporting category comprises B.A, BBA, B.Com (Gen), B.Com (Hons), and B.Sc. courses. The college provides M.A., M.Sc., and M.Com degree courses within aided as well as Self-supporting categories.
For admission to the UG and PG courses offered by Ethiraj College for Women, candidates can submit the online application form along with the fee. You must have done 12th for the admission into he BBA course at the college.
Candidates seeking admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses offered by Ethiraj College of Women under aided/ self-supporting category can submit the applications online along with the processing fee and necessary documents. Interested students can download the application form and submit it upon completion in person to the university office.
Ethiraj College for Women in Chennai offers a variety of Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) programs, including specializations in Accounting & Finance, Bank Management, Corporate Secretaryship, and Commerce (Honors). However, based on the available information, there is not a B.Com course in Information Technology (IT).
Ethiraj College for Women in Chennai offers various scholarships to support meritorious and economically disadvantaged students. The college does not provide free seats, these scholarships can reduce the financial burden for eligible students.
The fee for the admission is INR 200 at the Ethiraj College for Women.
The fee for the BSc in Maths is mentioned below:
Madras Christian College, Chennai does not offer a physiology course. All the courses at MCC Chennai are offered under different departments, which include English, Tamil, history, economics, philosophy, mathematics, commerce, etc.
The fee per year for the BCS course is INR 72,000 at the Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai
You can check out the page ECW Chennai BCA course to know more on the same.
Yes, any student having passed 12th with Maths/Computer Applications can apply be it from any stream.