Chendu College of Engineering and Technology (CHENDU)

If you're looking at engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu with TNEA ranks above 1 lakh, R.M. Engineering College (formerly Chendu College of Engineering and Technology) is a name you'll hit. It’s a classic case of a budget-friendly, rural private college where the official story and the student experience often diverge. The college claims a 95% placement rate, but talk to alumni and you'll hear a more grounded figure of 60-70%, mostly in IT services and BPOs. For students with ranks between 98,000 and 1.3 lakhs who prioritize low fees and a disciplined environment over urban glamour, RMEC is a practical, if unspectacular, option. Just don't expect the campus recruitment drive to be a golden ticket.

R.M. Engineering College (RMEC) — Quick Facts

• Location: Zamin Endathur Village, Maduranthakam, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu.
• Established: 2010.
• Current Name: R.M. Engineering College (RMEC). Former Name: Chendu College of Engineering and Technology (CHENDU).
• Affiliation & Accreditation: Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai. Approved by AICTE. Accredited by NAAC (as of 2024-25). Recognized as a Muslim Minority Institution.
• TNEA Counseling Code: 1444 (remains unchanged after rebranding).
• Flagship Programs: B.E. Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), B.Tech Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (AI & DS).
• Approx. Annual Tuition (Govt. Quota): ₹50,000 – ₹85,000.
• Reported Average Package: ₹2.5 – ₹4.5 LPA.

Courses and Academic Programs at R.M. Engineering College

The academic slate here is standard for an Anna University affiliate, with a clear tilt towards computer-related fields. The B.E. and B.Tech programs follow the university's semester system, and the grading is the familiar 10-point CGPA scale. You can find the full list on the official college website.

Intake numbers tell the story of demand. CSE, AI & DS, and ECE each have about 60 seats, making them the most popular. Mechanical Engineering also has 60, while Civil and newer specializations like Cyber Security have 30. There are postgraduate M.E. programs in Computer Science, VLSI Design, and Manufacturing Engineering for those looking to stay on.

Faculty strength is around 65. The consensus from student reviews is that the professors are generally supportive and focused on helping you clear the Anna University exams. That's a decent strength for a college in this tier. They’ve signed MoUs with training institutes like QSpiders and Aagna for value-added courses, which is a common move to bridge the industry-skills gap. The academic culture is described as disciplined—some say strict—with a heavy emphasis on maintaining the mandatory 75% attendance.

R.M. Engineering College Placements: Packages, Companies & Reality Check

This is where you need to read between the lines. The college's Training and Placement Cell officially claims a 95% placement rate. That number feels optimistic compared to the 60-70% placement rate students and alumni consistently mention for core and IT branches. The gap between the brochure and the Reddit thread is notable.

Packages reflect the tier. The highest package touted for 2023-24 was 12 LPA, but that's an outlier. The median figure students talk about is closer to 4 LPA, with an average range of ₹2.5 to ₹4.5 LPA. Recruiters are a mix of IT service giants and regional firms. You'll see names like TCS, Wipro, Infosys, HCL, and Cognizant for IT roles. For core branches, placements lean towards local auto-component manufacturers and firms like Aagna and Airtel.

A recurring point in reviews is that many "placements" are in BPO or customer support roles, not the software development jobs students often envision. The message from alumni is clear: the college provides a platform and basic training, but landing a well-paying tech job requires significant self-driven upskilling and certification outside the curriculum.

Fees and Financial Aid at R.M. Engineering College

Affordability is RMEC's strongest selling point. Your cost depends entirely on which quota you enter through.

For students coming in via the TNEA government quota, annual tuition is remarkably low, ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹85,000. Management quota seats will cost between ₹1 lakh and ₹1.5 lakh per year, varying by branch. On top of tuition, hostel and mess fees add another ₹30,000 to ₹45,000 annually. Factor in exam fees, transport (₹6,000-₹20,000), and other incidentals, and the total 4-year cost can land anywhere between ₹3.5 lakhs and ₹6.5 lakhs. That's a fraction of the cost of a private college in Chennai.

Financial aid is available through state schemes. These include the First Graduate scholarship (for TNEA students), scholarships for SC/ST/SCC candidates, and merit-based scholarships for minority students. The low base cost combined with these options makes it accessible for many families.

Admissions: Eligibility, Cutoffs & Selection Process

Admission for the vast majority of seats is controlled by the Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) counseling process. Eligibility is based on your Class 12 marks (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics). While JEE Main scores aren't required, they might be considered for management quota seats.

The single most important piece of information is the TNEA counseling code: 1444. This code remains for R.M. Engineering College despite the name change from Chendu.

Cutoff ranks give you a sense of where the college sits in the pecking order. For the 2024 general category, cutoffs were:

• B.E. Computer Science and Engineering: 98,000 – 1,08,000
• B.Tech AI & Data Science: 1,11,000 – 1,26,000
• B.E. Electronics and Communication Engineering: 1,13,000 – 1,18,000
• B.E. Mechanical Engineering: 1,27,000+

Selection is purely merit-based through the TNEA counseling rounds conducted by the Directorate of Technical Education (DoTE), Tamil Nadu. If your rank falls within these bands, this college will likely appear in your options list.

Campus, Hostels and Student Life

The campus spans 11.45 acres in a village setting near Maduranthakam. It's rural. The nearest railway station is about 7 km away, and while the college is near the GST highway, don't expect a bustling city life. The college runs an extensive bus fleet to connect students from Chengalpattu, Maduranthakam, and Melmaruvathur.

Infrastructure is adequate. Labs for engineering streams have the standard equipment—CNC machines for Mechanical, surveying tools for Civil, and networked computers with relevant software for CSE. The library has a digital membership with DELNET and over 20,000 physical volumes. Wi-Fi is available but reported to be average and limited to specific zones like the library and labs.

Hostels have separate blocks for boys and girls with a capacity of over 300. Student reviews rate the hostel quality around 3.5 out of 5. The most common complaint, almost universal, is about the mess food. It's frequently described as repetitive or just average. The social life is largely campus-bound. Rules are strict, with enforced attendance policies and limitations on interaction, which creates a disciplined but sometimes restrictive atmosphere.

Student Reviews: What R.M. Engineering College Alumni Really Think

Synthesizing feedback from platforms like CollegeDunia and Shiksha, a clear picture emerges.

The positives are consistent: affordable fees, approachable faculty who help with syllabus completion, and a disciplined, safe environment that puts parents at ease. For many students, these are the deciding factors.

The negatives are just as consistent. There's widespread skepticism about placement claims, with many feeling the "top recruiter" list is misleading for the actual roles offered. The remote location is a drag on social life. The strict rules—especially the 75% attendance mandate with parent calls for defaults—are a pain point for students seeking more autonomy. And yes, the hostel food gets poor reviews.

One paraphrased alumni quote sums up the skill development angle: "The teaching is good for passing exams, but you have to develop your own skills for high-paying jobs." Another keeps expectations in check: "Placements are mostly in small companies or BPOs; don't expect 10 LPA unless you are exceptional."

Verdict: Is R.M. Engineering College Worth It?

R.M. Engineering College (formerly Chendu) is a specific solution for a specific need. It's worth serious consideration if your TNEA rank is between 98,000 and 1.3 lakhs, your budget is tight, and your primary goal is to secure an affordable Anna University degree in a structured environment. The low fee is its biggest advantage, and the faculty get the job done in terms of curriculum delivery.

However, you should look elsewhere if you prioritize a vibrant campus life, expect high-tier campus placements to carry you, or chafe under strict disciplinary rules. This is a tier-3 college where the onus for career development falls heavily on the student. Success here means using the degree as a foundation while aggressively pursuing internships, online courses, and certifications on your own. For the right student—one who is self-motivated and cost-conscious—it's a practical launchpad. For someone expecting a transformative college experience with guaranteed corporate recruitment, it will likely disappoint.