Top Engineering Colleges in India

Top Engineering Colleges in India

Engineering has been the preferred career path for millions of Indian students for decades. The dream of cracking JEE and earning a seat at an IIT has driven countless late-night study sessions, coaching center battles, and family conversations about career choices. But beyond IITs, India's engineering education landscape is vast and varied—with NITs, IIITs, private institutions, and state engineering colleges each offering unique opportunities.

If you're an aspiring engineer, a parent supporting your child's dreams, or simply exploring options, understanding this landscape is crucial. Which colleges truly offer the best education? What are the placements like? How do you get admitted? What should you expect to pay?

This comprehensive guide answers all these questions. We'll cover the top 100+ engineering colleges in India, their rankings, fees, placement statistics, and everything you need to know to make an informed decision about your engineering career.

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Table of Contents

1. Why Engineering Remains a Top Career Choice
2. Types of Engineering Colleges in India
3. Top 100 Engineering Colleges in India
4. Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
5. National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
6. IIITs and GFTI Colleges
7. Top Private Engineering Colleges
8. State Government Engineering Colleges
9. Engineering Branches and Their Prospects
10. Admission Process: JEE and Beyond
11. Fees Across Different Categories
12. Placements and Career Prospects
13. Tips for Engineering Aspirants
14. Frequently Asked Questions

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Why Engineering Remains a Top Career Choice

Before diving into college rankings, let's understand why engineering continues to attract millions of students:

Career Versatility

Engineering isn't just about building bridges or coding software. Today's engineers work in:

Traditional Fields: Civil construction, mechanical manufacturing, electrical power systems Technology Sector: Software development, data science, artificial intelligence Research: Academia, R&D labs, scientific institutions Business: Consulting, product management, entrepreneurship Finance: Quantitative trading, fintech, analytics Healthcare: Biomedical engineering, health tech startups

This versatility means an engineering degree opens doors to multiple career paths, not just one.

Problem-Solving Mindset

Engineering education trains you to think systematically, break down complex problems, and find practical solutions. These skills are valued across industries—which is why you find engineers in roles far beyond traditional engineering.

Strong Employment Prospects

Despite concerns about job market saturation, quality engineering education still leads to excellent employment:

• Campus placements at top colleges approach 100%
• Starting salaries at premier institutes are ₹15-40+ LPA
• Engineers are among the most sought-after professionals globally
• Technical skills provide security in an automated world

Foundation for Further Studies

An engineering degree opens pathways to:

• MBA programs (many top B-school students are engineers)
• MS/PhD in specialized fields
• Civil services and government positions
• Law (patent law, corporate law)
• Research careers

Entrepreneurship Potential

India's startup success stories are dominated by engineering founders:

• Flipkart's Sachin and Binny Bansal (IIT Delhi)
• Ola's Bhavish Aggarwal (IIT Bombay)
• Paytm's Vijay Shekhar Sharma (engineering background)
• Byju's Byju Raveendran (started as engineering entrance coach)

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Types of Engineering Colleges in India

Understanding the different categories helps you make informed choices:

1. IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology)

Number: 23 IITs across India Established by: Central Government (Institutes of National Importance) Admission: JEE Advanced (after clearing JEE Main) Recognition: Globally recognized, world-class

Key Features:

• Autonomous with their own governing bodies
• World-class faculty and infrastructure
• Strong research culture
• Excellent industry connections
• Best placements in India

2. NITs (National Institutes of Technology)

Number: 31 NITs across India Established by: Central Government Admission: JEE Main (Central and State quotas) Recognition: Premier national institutions

Key Features:

• High-quality education at affordable fees
• Good placement records
• Strong alumni networks
• Regional quotas for state students

3. IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology)

Number: 25+ IIITs Types: Some government-funded, some PPP (Public-Private Partnership) Admission: JEE Main Focus: Information technology and related fields

Key Features:

• Specialized in IT and allied areas
• Industry-oriented curriculum
• Strong tech placements
• Smaller batch sizes

4. GFTI (Government Funded Technical Institutions)

Includes institutions like:

• IIEST Shibpur
• Delhi Technological University (DTU)
• NSUT Delhi
• Birla Institute of Technology Mesra
• IIITM Gwalior

5. State Government Colleges

Top engineering colleges funded by state governments:

• Jadavpur University (West Bengal)
• College of Engineering Pune (Maharashtra)
• PSG College of Technology (Tamil Nadu)
• UVCE Bangalore (Karnataka)

6. Private Universities

Well-funded private institutions:

• BITS Pilani
• VIT Vellore
• Manipal Institute of Technology
• SRM Chennai
• Thapar University
• Amity University

7. Deemed Universities and Others

• IIST Thiruvananthapuram (for space science)
• IISc Bangalore (for research, BS program)
• ICT Mumbai (for chemical engineering)

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Top 100 Engineering Colleges in India

Here's a comprehensive ranking based on NIRF, placement data, faculty quality, and industry reputation:

Tier 1: The Elites (Rank 1-23)

These are India's premier engineering institutions:

*IISc is primarily a research institution but offers a 4-year BS program

Tier 2: The Challengers (Rank 24-50)

Excellent institutions with strong placement records:

Tier 3: Strong Performers (Rank 51-75)

Well-established with good industry connections:

Tier 4: Emerging and Regional (Rank 76-100)

Good options with improving quality:

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Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)

IITs are the crown jewels of Indian engineering education. Let's explore them in detail:

The Historic Five (Established Before 1970)

IIT Kharagpur (1951)

First IIT in India

Key Stats:

• Campus: 2,100 acres (largest IIT campus)
• Students: ~10,000
• Faculty: ~600
• Departments: 21

Unique Strengths:

• Oldest and most established
• Strong in core engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical)
• Rural Technology (PRT) and agricultural engineering
• Extensive research facilities
• Strong alumni network (oldest batch from 1955)

Top Recruiters: Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey

Average Package: ₹18-22 LPA (varies by branch)

IIT Bombay (1958)

Best for Tech and Startups

Key Stats:

• Location: Powai, Mumbai
• Students: ~10,000
• Faculty: ~600+
• Departments: 17

Unique Strengths:

• Located in India's financial capital
• Strongest startup culture among IITs
• Excellent computer science department
• E-Cell for entrepreneurship
• World-class placement record

Notable Alumni:

• Manohar Parrikar (former Defense Minister)
• Nandan Nilekani (Infosys co-founder)
• Bhavish Aggarwal (Ola founder)

Top Recruiters: Microsoft, Google, Goldman Sachs, Uber, Qualcomm

Average Package: ₹21-26 LPA

IIT Madras (1959)

Consistently #1 in NIRF

Key Stats:

• Campus: 620 acres in Chennai
• Students: ~10,000
• Faculty: ~600
• Nobel Laureates association: Research collaboration

Unique Strengths:

• Strongest research culture
• IIT Madras Research Park (industry collaboration)
• Top-ranked consistently in NIRF
• Strong in mechanical, aerospace engineering
• Excellent hostel and campus life

Notable Alumni:

• Raghuram Rajan (former RBI Governor)
• Sundar Pichai (Google CEO, though he spent limited time here)

Top Recruiters: Google, Microsoft, Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, Intel

Average Package: ₹20-24 LPA

IIT Kanpur (1959)

Legacy of Academic Excellence

Key Stats:

• Campus: 1,053 acres
• Students: ~7,000
• Known for: Pure sciences and interdisciplinary research

Unique Strengths:

• Strong fundamental education focus
• Pioneering computer science education in India
• First IIT to have foreign collaboration (with MIT)
• Excellent aerospace department
• Strong in pure sciences

Notable Alumni:

• N.R. Narayana Murthy (Infosys founder, though he studied there briefly)
• Many NASA scientists

Average Package: ₹18-22 LPA

IIT Delhi (1961)

Capital Advantage

Key Stats:

• Location: Hauz Khas, New Delhi
• Campus: 325 acres
• Students: ~8,000

Unique Strengths:

• Prime location in nation's capital
• Strong industry connections in Delhi NCR
• Proximity to government, policy-making
• Excellent textile and polymer engineering
• Strong placement in consulting

Notable Alumni:

• Sachin Bansal & Binny Bansal (Flipkart, though they spent limited time)
• Chetan Bhagat (author, IIT Delhi + IIM Ahmedabad)

Top Recruiters: McKinsey, BCG, Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs

Average Package: ₹22-27 LPA

Second Generation IITs (1990s-2000s)

IIT Guwahati (1994)

• Beautiful campus on banks of Brahmaputra
• Strong in chemical, CSE, EE
• Gateway to Northeast opportunities
• Growing reputation, excellent value

Average Package: ₹16-20 LPA

IIT Roorkee (2001 - converted from University of Roorkee, est. 1847)

• One of the oldest technical institutions in Asia
• Strongest civil engineering in India
• Heritage campus with colonial architecture
• Excellent water resources and hydrology

Average Package: ₹17-21 LPA

Third Generation IITs (2008-2009)

Eight new IITs were established in 2008-2009:

These IITs are rapidly developing and offer excellent value with lower cutoffs than older IITs.

Newest IITs (2015-2016)

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National Institutes of Technology (NITs)

NITs are the next tier after IITs, offering excellent education at affordable costs:

Top 10 NITs by Ranking

Complete NIT List

India has 31 NITs spread across the country:

Well-Established NITs (pre-2010):

• NIT Trichy
• NIT Surathkal
• NIT Warangal
• NIT Calicut
• NIT Rourkela
• NIT Durgapur
• NIT Kurukshetra
• NIT Allahabad (MNNIT)
• NIT Nagpur (VNIT)
• NIT Jamshedpur
• NIT Silchar
• NIT Hamirpur
• NIT Surat
• NIT Jalandhar
• NIT Patna
• NIT Jaipur (MNIT)
• NIT Bhopal (MANIT)
• NIT Srinagar

Newer NITs (post-2010):

• NIT Raipur
• NIT Uttarakhand
• NIT Goa
• NIT Delhi
• NIT Meghalaya
• NIT Nagaland
• NIT Sikkim
• NIT Arunachal Pradesh
• NIT Manipur
• NIT Mizoram
• NIT Andhra Pradesh
• NIT Puducherry
• NIT Tiruchirappalli (different from NIT Trichy)

NIT Admission: Understanding Quotas

NITs have two admission quotas:

Home State Quota (50%): Reserved for students from the state where the NIT is located. Lower cutoffs for residents.

Other State Quota (50%): Open to all India. Higher cutoffs, competitive.

Strategy: Apply to NITs in your home state for better chances, while also targeting top NITs nationally.

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IIITs and GFTI Colleges

Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)

IIITs focus specifically on IT and related domains:

Top Government IIITs

PPP (Public-Private Partnership) IIITs

Several IIITs operate on PPP model with industry partnership:

• IIIT Kota
• IIIT Lucknow
• IIIT Pune
• IIIT Kottayam
• IIIT Vadodara
• IIIT Kalyani
• And many more...

PPP IIITs have higher fees but strong industry connections through corporate partners.

Other Government Funded Technical Institutions (GFTI)

Notable GFTIs worth considering:

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Top Private Engineering Colleges

Private institutions often offer modern infrastructure and strong industry connections:

BITS Pilani System

BITS Pilani (Birla Institute of Technology and Science)

Why BITS Stands Out:

• Autonomous (not under UGC/AICTE, under BITS Act)
• Own entrance exam (BITSAT)
• Strong dual degree programs
• Excellent campus placements
• Industry-practice school mandatory

BITS Campuses:

Average Package: ₹14-18 LPA (all campuses)

Best For: Students who miss IIT but want similar campus culture and outcomes

VIT (Vellore Institute of Technology)

India's Largest Private Engineering University

Campuses: Vellore (main), Chennai, Bhopal, Andhra Pradesh

Key Stats:

• Students: 40,000+
• VITEEE exam for admission
• Strong industry partnerships
• International collaborations

Fees: ₹17-20 lakhs (4 years)

Average Package: ₹8-12 LPA

Best For: Wide range of branches, moderate fees, good placement rate

Manipal Institute of Technology

Part of Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Strengths:

• Beautiful coastal campus
• Strong medical + engineering synergy
• International exchange programs
• Good hostel and campus life

Fees: ₹18-22 lakhs (4 years)

Average Package: ₹8-11 LPA

SRM Institute of Science and Technology

Multiple Campuses Across India

Main Campus: Chennai (Kattankulathur)

Strengths:

• Large student body
• Industry partnerships
• SRMJEE exam for admission
• Growing placement record

Fees: ₹15-18 lakhs (4 years)

Average Package: ₹6-9 LPA

Thapar University (Punjab)

One of the Oldest Private Technical Institutes

Strengths:

• Strong in core engineering
• Good North India placements
• Research focus
• Moderate fees vs. quality

Fees: ₹14-16 lakhs (4 years)

Average Package: ₹8-11 LPA

Other Notable Private Colleges

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State Government Engineering Colleges

Don't overlook excellent state government colleges:

Top State Engineering Colleges

Why Consider State Colleges?

Advantages:

• Very low fees (₹1-5 lakhs for 4 years)
• Home state reservation
• Good alumni networks locally
• Decent placement records

Considerations:

• Infrastructure may lag
• Less national brand recognition
• Placement variation by branch

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Engineering Branches and Their Prospects

Choosing the right branch is as important as choosing the right college:

Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)

The Most Sought-After Branch

What You'll Learn: Programming, algorithms, AI/ML, databases, networks, systems

Career Prospects:

• Software development
• Data science and analytics
• AI/ML engineering
• Product management
• Cybersecurity
• Research

Average Salary (from top colleges): ₹18-40 LPA

Demand Trend: Extremely high and growing

Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE)

Second Most Popular

What You'll Learn: Circuits, signals, communication systems, VLSI, embedded systems

Career Prospects:

• Chip design (VLSI)
• Embedded systems
• Telecommunications
• IoT development
• Often pivot to software roles

Average Salary: ₹12-25 LPA

Note: Many ECE graduates enter software/IT companies

Electrical Engineering (EE)

Core Engineering with Modern Applications

What You'll Learn: Power systems, control systems, machines, renewable energy

Career Prospects:

• Power sector (NTPC, BHEL, Power Grid)
• Control systems
• Renewable energy
• Electric vehicles
• Core + software options

Average Salary: ₹10-20 LPA

Mechanical Engineering

The Evergreen Branch

What You'll Learn: Thermodynamics, manufacturing, design, automobiles, robotics

Career Prospects:

• Automobile industry
• Manufacturing
• Aerospace
• HVAC design
• PSU jobs (SAIL, BHEL, ONGC)

Average Salary: ₹8-16 LPA

Trend: Growing intersection with robotics and automation

Civil Engineering

Building the Future

What You'll Learn: Structures, construction, transportation, water resources, environment

Career Prospects:

• Construction companies (L&T, etc.)
• Government (PWD, CPWD)
• Infrastructure companies
• Urban planning
• Environment consulting

Average Salary: ₹6-12 LPA

Note: Government jobs highly valued in civil

Newer/Emerging Branches

Branch Selection Strategy

Priority Order (for placements):

1. CSE > ECE > EE > Mechanical > Civil > Others

But consider:

• Your genuine interest matters for 4-year engagement
• Core branches have PSU opportunities
• New branches like AI are hot but risky

IIT low branch vs. NIT high branch?

• Generally: Better to take lower branch at better college
• Exception: If you have strong passion for a specific branch

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Admission Process: JEE and Beyond

JEE Main

For: NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, many private colleges

Exam Pattern:

• 75 questions, 300 marks
• 3 sections: Physics, Chemistry, Math (25 questions each)
• 3-hour duration
• CBT (Computer Based Test)
• Conducted twice a year (January, April)
• Best of two attempts considered

Eligibility:

• 12th pass with PCM
• 75% aggregate (65% for reserved categories) OR
• Top 20 percentile in respective board

Important Dates:

• Registration: November-December
• Exam: January and April sessions
• Results: Within 2-3 weeks of exam

JEE Advanced

For: All 23 IITs only

Eligibility: Top 2,50,000 rank holders in JEE Main

Exam Pattern:

• Two papers (Paper 1, Paper 2)
• Each 3 hours
• Physics, Chemistry, Math
• MCQs + numerical type questions

Note: Only 2 attempts in consecutive years

Other Important Exams

Counseling Process

JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority):

• Common counseling for IITs, NITs, IIITs, GFTIs
• Multiple rounds of seat allocation
• Choice filling based on rank
• Lock/unlock options available

Strategy Tips:

• Fill all possible choices
• Order by strict preference
• Research cutoffs from previous years
• Don't miss deadlines

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Fees Across Different Categories

Understanding the investment required:

IITs

Fee Reduction: Students from families earning less than ₹1 lakh/year get full fee waiver. ₹1-5 lakh income family students get 2/3rd waiver.

NITs

IIITs

Government IIITs: ₹6-8 lakhs (4 years) PPP IIITs: ₹10-14 lakhs (4 years)

Top Private Colleges

State Government Colleges

Most affordable: ₹1-5 lakhs for 4 years

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Placements and Career Prospects

Understanding Placement Reports

When evaluating placements, look for:

Placement Percentage: What percentage of eligible students got placed?

Average Package: Mean of all offers

Median Package: Middle value (more representative)

Highest Package: Outliers (don't base decisions on this)

Top Recruiters: Which companies recruit regularly?

Sector-Wise Opportunities

IIT Placement Trends

Career Beyond Placements

Engineering provides pathways to:

Higher Studies:

• MS/PhD abroad (US, Europe)
• MTech in India
• MBA after 2-3 years

Government Jobs:

• UPSC exam (IAS, IES, etc.)
• PSU recruitment through GATE
• State government positions

Entrepreneurship:

• Many successful founders are engineers
• IIT incubators support startups

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Tips for Engineering Aspirants

Preparation Strategy for JEE

Class 11: Build strong fundamentals, focus on NCERT Class 12: Balance boards and JEE, take mocks regularly Drop Year (if needed): Focused preparation, structured schedule

Subject-Wise Tips:

Physics: Focus on concepts, practice numerical problems Chemistry: Physical (math-based), Organic (practice), Inorganic (memory) Mathematics: Practice extensively, time management crucial

Resources:

• NCERT textbooks (foundation)
• Coaching material (IIT-focused)
• Previous year papers (last 15-20 years)
• Mock tests (at least 50 before exam)

College Selection Strategy

1. Research thoroughly: Visit campuses if possible
2. Consider location: Matters for internships, placements
3. Don't just chase brand: Newer IITs may be better than low-branch older IITs
4. Evaluate ROI: Fees vs. placement outcomes
5. Talk to students: Current students give honest feedback

Making the Most of Engineering

Academics: Maintain decent CGPA (8+) for higher studies/placements

Skills: Learn beyond curriculum—programming, tools, soft skills

Internships: Start from second year, build experience

Projects: Do meaningful projects, not just academic requirements

Network: Connect with alumni, attend events, build relationships

Explore: Use these 4 years to discover your interests

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Frequently Asked Questions

Admission Questions

Q: What JEE Main rank is needed for top NITs? A: For CSE at top NITs: Under 2,000. For other branches: 2,000-10,000. Home state quota is easier.

Q: Can I get into IIT with 90 percentile in JEE Main? A: Not directly. You need to be in top 2,50,000 rank holders to appear for JEE Advanced, which requires ~85-90+ percentile. But this only makes you eligible for Advanced—you need to perform well in Advanced for IIT admission.

Q: Is 1 year gap allowed for JEE? A: Yes, you can take a gap year. Many students improve significantly with focused preparation.

Q: Can I change branch after admission? A: Yes, after first year based on CGPA. Top performers can shift to preferred branches.

Career Questions

Q: Is CSE the only good branch? A: No, but it currently has the best IT placements. Other branches have their own career paths, including PSUs, core companies, and research.

Q: Do IIT students really earn crores? A: The highest packages (₹1-2 crore) are rare (top 5-10% in good year). Most students earn ₹15-30 LPA from top IITs. Still excellent, but not everyone gets crores.

Q: Is engineering worth it if I don't want to code? A: Absolutely. Civil, mechanical, electrical have thriving careers in construction, manufacturing, power sector, and PSUs where coding is minimal.

Q: Can I do MBA after engineering? A: Yes, and it's very common. Many IIM students are engineers. Work for 2-3 years, then pursue MBA for career acceleration.

Financial Questions

Q: How much does IIT education cost? A: ₹7-9 lakhs for 4 years at IITs. Fee waivers available for low-income families.

Q: Are education loans available? A: Yes, banks actively lend to students admitted to recognized colleges. IIT/NIT students usually get loans easily.

Q: Do private colleges offer scholarships? A: Yes. BITS, VIT, SRM all have merit and need-based scholarships reducing fees significantly.

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Key Takeaways

1. IITs remain the gold standard, but other options like NITs, IIITs, and top private colleges offer excellent education.

2. Branch matters for placements, but college reputation often trumps branch. CSE at a lower-ranked college may have worse outcomes than ECE at IIT.

3. JEE preparation requires dedication—start early, be consistent, take many mocks.

4. Consider total cost vs. ROI, not just prestige. FMS-equivalent ROI exists in engineering too.

5. Four years is just the beginning—what you do in college matters as much as where you study.

6. Explore multiple paths: Engineering opens doors to tech, core, finance, civil services, research, and entrepreneurship.

7. Don't stress excessively: Many successful engineers didn't attend IIT. Your career is built through continuous effort.

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Conclusion

The journey to become an engineer in India is challenging but rewarding. Whether you reach IIT Bombay or a state engineering college, what truly matters is the effort you put into learning, the skills you develop, and the professional you become.

The engineers who built ISRO's Mars mission, created India's digital payment infrastructure, or founded billion-dollar startups—they all started as students like you, with dreams and determination. Your college provides the launchpad, but your trajectory depends on your ambition and effort.

Prepare well for JEE, but remember that one exam doesn't define your entire career. Make informed choices about colleges and branches. Most importantly, use your engineering education as a foundation for a meaningful career that excites and fulfills you.

The world needs engineers—to build sustainable cities, develop life-saving technologies, create products that improve lives, and solve problems we haven't even identified yet.

The question is: Which problems will you solve?

Good luck, future engineer. The world is waiting.

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Additional Resources

Official Websites

• JEE Main: jeemain.nta.nic.in
• JEE Advanced: jeeadv.ac.in
• JoSAA: josaa.nic.in
• NIRF Rankings: nirfindia.org

Preparation Resources

• Allen/Resonance/FIITJEE (coaching centers)
• Unacademy/PhysicsWallah (online platforms)
• Mathongo (JEE prep)
• Previous year papers

Community

• Quora JEE community
• Reddit r/JEENEETards (student discussions)
• YouTube channels (MIT OpenCourseWare, NPTEL)

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Dream big, work hard, stay focused. Your engineering journey begins now!