Dr VB Kolte College of Engineering

Dr. V.B. Kolte College of Engineering (VBKCOE) in Malkapur is a study in regional pragmatism. Established in 2010, it’s the dominant engineering option in the Buldhana district, offering a straightforward path to a degree for students who want to stay close to home. It’s a private, AICTE-approved college affiliated with Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University (SGBAU), and it’s built a reputation for solid infrastructure and surprisingly supportive faculty. But you have to be clear-eyed about what it is: a tier-3 college in a small city. The placement story is a classic one—Computer Science does okay, while core branches struggle. That’s the trade-off. If you’re from the region and have a mid-range CET score, it’s a viable, no-frills choice. If you’re dreaming of big-city campus life and top-tier recruiters, you’ll likely be looking elsewhere.

Dr. V.B. Kolte College of Engineering — Quick Facts

• Location: Muktainagar Road, Malkapur, Buldhana District, Maharashtra.
• Established: 2010 (Polytechnic in 2011).
• Affiliation: Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University (SGBAU).
• Accreditation: NAAC ‘B+’ Grade (CGPA 2.51). AICTE approved.
• Campus Size: 11 acres.
• Flagship Program: B.E. in Computer Science and Engineering.
• Annual Tuition (B.E.): Approximately ₹81,000.
• Median Package (UG): ₹3.10 LPA (per NIRF 2025 data).

Courses and Academic Programs at Dr. V.B. Kolte College of Engineering

VBKCOE runs a vertical setup from Diploma to Post-Graduation, all on the same 11-acre campus. The undergraduate B.E. program, with an intake of around 420-480 seats, is the main draw. Computer Science and Engineering is the most sought-after branch, taking 60-120 students. Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering each have about 60 seats. For postgraduates, M.E. programs are available in CSE, Electronics and Power, Mechanical (CAD/CAM), and Structural Engineering.

The academic rhythm is set by SGBAU’s semester calendar, using a Choice Based Credit System (CBCS). The faculty, numbering between 78 and 95, gets consistently positive marks in student reviews for being approachable and helpful. About 8-10 hold PhDs, with others pursuing them. It’s not a research powerhouse, but for teaching-focused undergraduate education, the staff seems to deliver. The college has tried to bridge the industry gap with MoUs, like the one with Kolbro Group for research and Sumago Infotech for software training. They’re modest tie-ups, but they signal an effort to look beyond the textbook.

Dr. V.B. Kolte College of Engineering Placements: Packages, Recruiters & Reality Check

This is where you need to separate the official narrative from the ground-level consensus. The college’s T&P cell claims a highest package of 10 LPA, but the median figure students talk about is closer to 5.5 LPA. The more reliable number comes from the official NIRF Rankings report, which pegs the median UG salary at ₹3.10 LPA. The average package floats between 2.4 and 3.5 LPA.

The placement percentage tells a similar story of managed expectations. The official claim is 70-80%, but reviewers and alumni consistently estimate the actual on-campus placement rate is around 50-60%. There’s a stark branch divide. CSE sees the highest activity, with maybe 80% of students getting placed, primarily into IT services. For core branches like Mechanical and Civil, the picture is thinner. Top recruiters include the usual IT mass recruiters—TCS, Accenture, Infosys—alongside manufacturing names like Tata Motors, John Deere, and Bosch.

The reality check? If you’re in CSE, you have a decent shot at an IT job with a modest package. If you’re in a core branch, you might land a manufacturing role, but you’re just as likely to end up in an IT services company or searching off-campus. That’s a common story for colleges in non-metro locations.

Fees and Financial Aid at Dr. V.B. Kolte College of Engineering

The fee structure is straightforward and relatively affordable for a private engineering college. The annual tuition for the B.E. program is about ₹81,000, leading to a total degree cost of roughly ₹3.24 lakhs. The M.E. program costs around ₹85,000 per year. Add to that hostel accommodation at ₹9,000 per year and mess charges of approximately ₹2,000 to ₹2,500 per month.

Financial aid is largely channeled through government schemes. Students from SC, ST, OBC, VJNT, and SBC categories can apply for full or partial fee waivers via the Maharashtra government’s MahaDBT portal. The Tuition Fee Waiver Scheme (TFWS) is also available, offering free tuition to a certain number of top-rankers in the admission process. It’s worth checking the college's official website for the latest scholarship notices.

Admissions: Eligibility, Cutoffs & Selection Process

Admission is centralized through the DTE Maharashtra CAP rounds. For B.E., your primary ticket is the MHT-CET score; JEE Main scores are also accepted. The 2024 cutoffs clearly show the hierarchy of branches. Computer Science and Engineering was the most competitive, with a closing percentile between 66.02 and 71.66 for the General category. The gap for other branches is significant: Electrical Engineering cutoffs ranged from 15.0 to 32.25, and Mechanical dipped as low as 1.51 to 16.17.

That tells you everything. If you have a CET percentile in the 60s, CSE here is a realistic target. If your score is in the teens or even single digits, you can still likely secure a seat in Mechanical or Civil. For M.E., admissions consider GATE or MHT-CET M.Tech scores. Diploma admissions are based on 10th-grade merit. The application window typically opens in June after CET results are out.

Campus, Hostels and Student Life

The 11-acre campus is functional. The library is a genuine asset, stocked with over 17,230 books and digital resources via DELNET. Labs for concrete technology, electrical circuits, and the dedicated Innovation & Incubation Center are reported to be well-equipped. The campus is Wi-Fi enabled, which is a basic expectation met.

Hostel life is basic but affordable. There are separate facilities for boys and girls, with the girls' hostel capacity around 60. Reviews rate the hostel quality a 3.5 out of 5—it’s clean and does the job. The canteen scores higher, around a 4/5 for hygiene, serving standard Maharashtrian and Indian meals. For sports, there’s a large playground for cricket and football, plus indoor options.

Social life revolves around the annual fest ‘Relish,’ which is a major highlight. But the college has a reputation for being strict—the 75% attendance rule is enforced, and internal marks are tied closely to your performance. It’s not a ‘ragging’ or party campus; the vibe is more disciplined and academic.

Student Reviews: What Dr. V.B. Kolte College of Engineering Alumni Really Think

Scouring platforms like CollegeDunia and Shiksha reveals a consistent pattern. The praise is almost unanimous for the faculty. Students repeatedly call them supportive, approachable, and dedicated—a significant plus in a tier-3 setting. The infrastructure, particularly the labs and library, also gets good marks. For students from Buldhana and nearby districts, it’s seen as the clear best local option, saving them the cost and hassle of moving to a bigger city.

The criticisms are equally predictable. Placement diversity is a major gripe, especially for core branch students who feel the recruitment is overly skewed toward IT. The location in Malkapur, while convenient for locals, limits exposure to bigger industries and corporate events unless the college organizes trips. And that strictness about attendance and internals can feel oppressive to some. The consensus? It’s a good college for the area, with caring teachers, but it comes with the inherent limitations of its geography and tier.

Verdict: Is Dr. V.B. Kolte College of Engineering Worth It?

VBKCOE serves a specific student profile very well. If you are from the Buldhana, Jalgaon, or Akola region, have a CET percentile between 10 and 70, and want a decent engineering degree without the high cost and competition of a Pune or Nagpur college, this is a sensible choice. The faculty support and infrastructure are genuine strengths for its category. It’s particularly worth considering for Computer Science, given the relatively better placement outcomes.

However, if you are aiming for top-tier core engineering placements, a vibrant metropolitan campus life, or brand-name recruiters, you will find the opportunities here limiting. The median package of ₹3.10 LPA is a honest reflection of its market position. Think of it as a pragmatic, no-surprises institution. It won’t open doors for you, but it will give you a solid foundation if you’re willing to walk through them yourself. For the right student—one focused on value, proximity to home, and a supportive learning environment—it can be a perfectly valid launchpad.