Top 5 Open Universities in India: Ranks, Courses & Fee
Check out this list of the top 5 open universities in the country before you start your distance learning journey.
Top 5 Open Universities in India
Top 5 Open Universities in India - It is not unusual for people to be unable to attend regular college classes but still wish to complete their education. Housewives, working professionals, people from the weaker sections of society, people from rural/ remote locations, etc. choose open universities to pursue higher education. Open universities provide flexible, distance learning programmes that are not only affordable but often skill-based. In a country like ours, open universities have widened the access to education exponentially. In this article, we will check out the top 5 open universities in India. These top open universities are determined based on NIRF 2024 Rankings and partly on popularity, facilities, reach, student support, and the programmes they offer. Read on for more.
What is Distance Education and how do Open Universities Aid it?
Before we discuss the top 5 open universities, let us understand what distance education is. Distance education or distance learning is the way to carry on studying when you have other responsibilities like a full-time job or caring for your young ones. Open universities offer distance learning programmes that are flexible and allow you to study at your own pace. Almost every state has a public open university while many regular universities (both public and private) have a handful of distance learning programmes. Now let's get into it.
1. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
There’s no way that you have studied in the country and haven’t heard about IGNOU. This nationwide open university was established in 1985. It is not only popular in India but also in some parts of Asia. The student strength of the university was only around 4500 in the year of its inception. Today, IGNOU teaches nearly 4 million students across the country and abroad. Their network of regional centres and learner support centres is unmatched. Also, the catalogue of courses that they offer at IGNOU is extensive. You can think of any course and they will have it. Also, they’ve been ranked the best open university in the NIRF 2024 Rankings.
Some of their top courses include BA, MA, BCom, MCom, BEd, etc. Be it undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate or PhD, IGNOU offers it all. Their courses (PG diploma, certificate courses) start at a low tuition fee of only a few thousand while their most expensive courses include BEd, BBA, MBA, BSc, MSc, etc. which cost anywhere from INR 50,000 to INR 75,000.
IGNOU Highlights
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| INR 10K to 50K |
|
| Accreditations |
UGC-DEB, AICTE, NAAC A++ |
| Top Recruiters |
Aviva India, Axis Bank, Capgemini, Magic PIN, etc. |
| Average Package |
INR 3 lakhs - 4 lakhs pa |
| Placement Percentage |
70% to 80% |
| Popular Programmes |
BA, BCom, BSc, MBA, BEd, etc. |
Also Read -
Which is better, IGNOU or DU Regular?
2. Netaji Subhas Open University
NIRF 2024 Rank 2 in the Open Universities Category, this Kolkata-based open university was established in the year 1997. Their core values include inculcating social values, preservation and promotion of human resources, employability through skill development, expanding learning opportunities through technology and pursuit of excellence in open education.
Netaji Subhas Open University has 6 schools of study under which they offer several courses. They offer undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes in most disciplines. They also offer advanced diploma courses under their School of Vocational Studies. Some of their cheapest courses (diploma courses) start at INR 5,000 while their most expensive courses include MEd and MBA which can cost you INR 85,000 and INR 1 Lakh respectively.
Netaji Subhas Open University Highlights
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| INR 10K to 30K |
|
| Accreditations |
NAAC A, AICTE, UGC, Distance Education Bureau |
| Top Recruiters |
Amul, Tata, ACC, TCS, Bajaj, Cognizant, Wipro, etc. |
| Average Package |
INR 4 lakhs - 6 lakhs pa |
| Placement Percentage |
70% approximately |
| MSW, MEd, BCom, Advance Diploma in Ad & PR, Advance Diploma in Journalism and Mass Comm., etc. |
3. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU)
This renowned university has bagged the third position on the NIRF 2024 ranks list for open universities. Based out of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, BAOU was established in 1994. This university strives to provide quality distance learning to an unreached student base simultaneously promoting the educational well-being of the whole community. Their ‘education for all’ mindset emphasises imparting skill-based knowledge to increase the employability of their students.
They offer UG diplomas, PG diplomas, and undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Their cheapest programmes start only at a low tuition fee of INR 3,000-4, 000 while their most expensive courses are MCA, BCA, MSc, and BEd which can cost you up to INR 75,000.
BAOU Highlights
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| INR 10K to 40K |
|
| Accreditations |
NAAC A++, UGC, Centre of Internal Quality Assurance |
| Top Recruiters |
HDFC, Tata Motors, Concentrix, Tech Mahindra, etc. |
| Average Package |
INR 8 lakhs pa approx. |
| Placement Percentage |
85% ~ |
| MSc Data Science, MJMC, BSc, Diploma in Financial Management, Diploma in Multimedia and Animation, etc. |
4. Tamil Nadu Open University
Started in 2003-04, this state open university has proved its mettle by providing quality education. Tamil Nadu Open University aims to uplift the disadvantaged groups in their state through its distance learning programmes. Currently, they offer a total of 234 programmes that include diplomas, certificate courses, undergraduate programmes and postgraduate programmes.
Their popular courses include MA, MSc, Advanced Vocational Diplomas, B.Lit. in Tamil Literature, etc. Their courses start at a low tuition fee of INR 2,000 and go up to INR 25,000 for most courses while MBAs can cost anywhere between INR 25,000 to INR 1 Lakh.
Tamil Nadu Open University Highlights
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| INR 10K to 35K |
|
| Accreditations |
NAAC A+, UGC-DEB, NCTE, RCI, AICTE |
| Top Recruiters |
Tech Anugraha, Asgardia Corp., Star Health Insurance, SBI Life Insurance, etc. |
| Average Package |
INR 2.5 lpa to 3.5 lpa |
| Placement Percentage |
17% |
| MA, B.Litt. Tamil Literature, MSc, Advanced Vocational Diplomas, etc. |
5. Karnataka State Open University
KSOU is an open university that aims to achieve access, equity, quality, affordability and accountability through its distance learning programmes. Their motto is “Higher Education for Everyone Everywhere”. It was established in 1996 and was a part of the University of Mysore earlier.
This open university is slightly more expensive than other open universities. The range of tuition fees for their certificate courses is between INR 3,000 to INR 16,000. Their middle-range courses cost between INR 10,000 to INR 50,000. Postgraduate courses and STEM courses offered by them cost the most and can have a tuition fee as high as INR 3 to 6 Lakhs.
Karnataka State Open University Highlights
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| INR 25K to 1 lakh |
|
| Accreditations |
NAAC A+, UGC, AICTE |
| Top Recruiters |
ICICI, South India Paper Mill Ltd., Ferrero Foundries Pvt Ltd., Sunshine, Automotive Axels, etc. |
| Average Package |
INR 3-6 lpa |
| Placement Percentage |
98% |
| Diploma in IT, MBA, MA, MAJMC, etc. |
How to Determine the Ideal Open University for Yourself?
Some points that you can consider while choosing an open university for yourself are provided below.
- Check if your desired open university operates in your proximity.
- Look them up online and find out if they offer the programme of your choice.
- While you’re on their website, look for the tuition fee for your programme and compare it with other universities.
- Find out the location of study centres and support centres near you.
- Check the eligibility criteria for your course. While most open universities take admissions based on merit, some also conduct entrance exams.
Why Choose Open Universities?
In a country like ours, the youth has relatively more responsibilities. They're not only responsible for themselves but also often have to care for the elderly and the young. This happening, higher education often comes down on the priority list. This is where open universities come into play. Given below are some benefits and advantages of open universities. These points explain the scope of distance education in India.
- They provide flexible, distance learning programmes that you pursue while working a job, raising children or whatever responsibilities keep you from attending classes. Basically, remote and online learning helps you maintain a work-life balance while getting an education.
- The tuition fee at these institutes is more affordable than regular colleges.
- You can learn at your own pace.
- The diversity of programmes offered at open universities is much higher than at regular institutes.
- The eligibility criteria for admissions are less comprehensive than those of traditional classroom learning institutes.
How to Get an Admission to a Distance Learning Programme?
Admissions to open universities for distance learning are quite straightforward. Aspirants just have to visit the admission portal of the open university of their choice and apply online. Admissions are usually given on the basis of merit. However, for some courses like MBA, there might be an entrance exam. For instance, the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts OPENMAT for admissions to MBA programmes offered at IGNOU.
Learn More -
IGNOU MBA Admissions
Read More -
List of Open Universities in India
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Aayushi is a BAJMC graduate and an ardent consumer of content with a keen passion for film, TV and books. She specialises in Mass Communication and Humanities related exams, entrances and courses.