L.B.S. College of Engineering (LBSCEK)

L.B.S. College of Engineering sits on 52 acres in Kasaragod, a government self-financed institution that's been around since 1993. It's affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) and holds NBA accreditation for most of its core engineering programs. That's a solid foundation for a public college. But the real story here is the gap between its official claims and the lived experience of its students, especially when you look at placement data. It's a college with decent infrastructure and faculty, but one that seems to struggle with connecting its graduates—particularly in IT and Civil—to the job market in a consistent way.

L.B.S. College of Engineering — Quick Facts

• Location: Povval, Muliyar, Kasaragod, Kerala.
• Established: 1993.
• Affiliation: APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU).
• Accreditation: NBA accredited for CE, CSE, ECE, EEE, IT, and ME. AICTE approved.
• Type: Government (self-financed) undertaking.
• Flagship Programs: B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), Mechanical Engineering (ME).
• Annual UG Intake: ~500 students.
• Approx. Annual Fee (B.Tech Merit): ~₹35,000.
• Official Avg. Package (2025): ₹5.4 LPA.
• Official Website: L.B.S. College of Engineering

Courses and Academic Programs at L.B.S. College of Engineering

LBSCEK runs a standard set of B.Tech programs under KTU. The intake numbers tell you where the focus is: Computer Science and Engineering takes 180 students per batch, dwarfing the 60-seat intakes for Civil, Mechanical, EEE, ECE, and IT. They've also introduced newer specializations like CSE in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science and Computer Science and Business Systems, though these were still subject to university approval as of the latest data. At the postgraduate level, they offer a few M.Tech programs—Computer Science and Information Security, VLSI Design, and Power Systems—with small intakes of around 18 seats each, plus a three-year MCA program.

Academically, it's a structured environment. The college uses a CGPA system and even has a "Best Outgoing Student Award" for those with a CGPA of 7.0 or above. Faculty are generally described as experienced and supportive in student reviews. There's a Group Advisory System for student mentoring, and they have some interesting facilities like a FAB Lab and an SDPK classroom. They were a recipient of TEQIP funds back in 2003, which likely helped set up some of this infrastructure. It's a decent, no-frills academic setup. You'll get your syllabus covered.

L.B.S. College of Engineering Placements: Packages, Companies & Reality Check

This is where you need to read between the lines. The college's official placement report for 2024-2025 presents a stark, branch-by-branch picture that contradicts the generic "more than 80%" claim often advertised. For CSE, the placement rate was 41.53%. For IT, it was 23.81%. Civil Engineering was at 24.39%. The better-performing branches were Mechanical (68.18%) and Electrical (63.16%). That's a huge spread, and it suggests the college's placement cell has significantly more success with certain disciplines.

Package figures are equally mixed. The college reports an average package of ₹5.4 LPA (₹45,000 per month) for 2025, with a highest package of ₹10 LPA. But student reviews mention a highest of ₹17 LPA for CSE (unverified year) and average figures ranging from ₹3 LPA to ₹5 LPA. The recruiter list is standard for mid-tier engineering colleges: Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Cognizant, Capgemini, with some fintech names like Federal Bank and ICICI Bank. For internships, the college claims nearly 60% of CSE students secure them, with companies like Infosys and TCS participating.

The verdict? If you're in Mechanical or Electrical, your odds are noticeably better. For CSE, IT, or Civil, you should be prepared to hustle independently. The placement percentage data on the official website is worth scrutinizing directly.

Fees and Financial Aid at L.B.S. College of Engineering

For a government undertaking, the fee structure is a major advantage, especially for merit students. A B.Tech student under the merit quota pays approximately ₹35,000 per annum. Over four years, that totals around ₹1.8 lakhs. Management quota fees are about ₹75,000 per year (₹3 lakhs total). NRI quota fees range from ₹1.25 to ₹1.75 lakhs per year depending on the branch.

There are additional mandatory fees—exam fees, special fees, PTA fund—which push the first-year cost for a merit student to around ₹60,000-70,000. Hostel and mess fees aren't explicitly listed, but reviews say the food is good. Scholarships are available through standard government schemes, AICTE programs, and internal awards from the PTA and alumni association. There's also fee concession for SC/ST students. Financially, it's a very accessible institution.

Admissions: Eligibility, Cutoffs & Selection Process

Admissions are centralized through state exams. For B.Tech, you must appear for the Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM) entrance exam. Selection is purely merit-based on the KEAM rank, followed by a state counseling process. The college releases a cutoff after KEAM results, but specific rank cutoffs aren't published in the brief. For the 15% NRI quota, a separate rank list is prepared based on qualifying exam marks, and these seats can be availed without a KEAM score. Management quota seats also exist.

For M.Tech, you need a valid GATE score. For the MCA program, the college conducts its own entrance test. B.Tech Lateral Entry admissions require passing the Lateral Entry Test (LET). Application windows follow the exam schedules; for example, KEAM 2026 exams were slated for April 17-23, with registration in early April.

Campus, Hostels and Student Life

The 52-acre campus is a plus. Infrastructure is routinely cited as a strength in reviews. There are two academic blocks with over 50 classrooms, labs, and a large main auditorium that seats 1500. The central library has over 25,000 books and digital access. Labs are described as well-equipped. The campus is Wi-Fi enabled.

Hostels are available on and off-campus for both boys and girls, and are considered secure. The food in the hostels gets good marks, with meals prepared according to student preferences. The college canteen also serves good food. For transport, the college runs buses that cover the entire Kasaragod district, which is essential given the campus is about 12 km from the Kasaragod railway and bus stations.

Where LBSCEK seems to shine socially is in its events and fests. Student reviews consistently highlight an active fest calendar and many events, which create a good campus vibe. Sports facilities are comprehensive—two football grounds, spaces for basketball, volleyball, cricket, and more. Students have participated in KTU tournaments. It’s not a bustling metro campus, but there’s enough to build a community.

Student Reviews: What L.B.S. College of Engineering Alumni Really Think

The consensus from student feedback paints a clear, two-sided picture. On the positive side, almost everyone agrees the faculty are good, experienced, and supportive. The infrastructure and labs are praised. The campus life, driven by active fests and events, is considered a major plus. It’s a proper college experience socially.

But the negatives are significant and focused. Placement uncertainty is the biggest gripe. Reviews mention placement percentages as low as 40%, or even 10% for some classes, which aligns worryingly with the official low rates for IT and Civil. There's a sense that you cannot rely on the college for a job; you have to build your own skills and network. The location, while scenic, is somewhat remote, which might limit immediate off-campus opportunities or exposure. The reviews don’t sugarcoat it: it’s a college with good teachers and a fun campus, but you’re largely on your own when it comes to careers.

Verdict: Is L.B.S. College of Engineering Worth It?

It depends entirely on your budget, branch, and career strategy. If you are a merit student getting a B.Tech seat for around ₹35,000 a year in Mechanical or Electrical and Electronics Engineering, LBSCEK can be a sensible choice. The education is affordable, the faculty are decent, and the placement odds for those branches are better. The campus life is a bonus.

However, if you are aiming for Computer Science, Information Technology, or Civil Engineering, you should think twice. The official placement rates for these branches are low (23%-44%). You would be betting on your own coding skills or exam preparations (like GATE) to secure a future, with minimal support from campus recruitment. For NRI or management quota students paying significantly higher fees, the return on investment looks poor compared to other options.

In short, it’s a budget-friendly, government college with a nice campus and good teachers. It works if you have a clear, self-driven plan and are in a branch with proven outcomes. But if you’re looking for a college that will actively bridge the gap to industry, especially in tech, the data suggests you might find yourself wanting.