Maharashtra College of Engineering (MCE)

Maharashtra College of Engineering in Nilanga, Latur, is a private institution that’s been around since 1983. It’s a story of decent infrastructure and low-cost fees, set against the very real challenge of securing good jobs after graduation. For students in the Marathwada region looking for an affordable B.E. degree from an AICTE-approved college, MCE is a local option. But you need to walk in with your eyes wide open about what the degree can deliver, especially if you’re aiming for the national job market. The campus is functional, the faculty is reportedly experienced, and the price is right. The trade-off, as alumni reviews make painfully clear, is in the placement numbers and the salary packages on offer.

Maharashtra College of Engineering (MCE) — Quick Facts

• Location: Nilanga, Latur, Maharashtra. It's a rural campus, about 15 km from Latur city.
• Established: 1983
• Affiliation: Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded. It's not an autonomous institute.
• Accreditation: Approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
• Flagship Programs: B.E. in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, and Information Technology.
• Annual Tuition (2025): ₹42,500 per year for B.E. programs.
• Reported Average Package: 1 to 3 LPA, based on student reviews.

Courses and Academic Programs at Maharashtra College of Engineering

MCE is strictly an undergraduate engineering college. It offers five B.E. programs under the umbrella of Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University. The intake numbers from the brief are a bit messy—some sources say 60 seats for Civil, others 23 for Electronics—but the core offerings are clear. You’re looking at the standard branches: Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, and IT.

There’s no mention of postgraduate or doctoral programs being a primary focus. An older review referenced an MBA, but it doesn’t appear to be a current, highlighted offering.

Academically, the college promotes a "value-based" learning model. They run seminars to supplement textbook knowledge, which is a positive. The faculty count is listed as 37, which, for an intake that likely hovers around 250-300 students total, suggests the student-faculty ratio isn't terrible. Reviews consistently point to the teaching staff being experienced and helpful with projects. That’s a solid plus for a college in this tier. You won’t find cutting-edge research or a plethora of electives here. It’s a straightforward, curriculum-focused education aimed at getting you through the university exams.

Maharashtra College of Engineering Placements: Packages, Companies & Reality Check

This is the section that requires the most honesty. The placement data from MCE is old and conflicting, which in itself is a red flag.

The highest package ever mentioned is 3.8 LPA. That’s from reviews dated 2015 and 2020, from companies like TCS, ITC, and HDFC. For context, that was a modest package even a decade ago. The average package, as per student sentiment, sits between 1 and 3 LPA. Let that sink in. In today’s engineering market, that’s exceptionally low.

The placement percentage stories are all over the map. One 2020 review says "most students got placed," while a stark 2015 review claims only 7 out of 58 students in a batch secured campus jobs. The truth likely lies somewhere in the messy middle—placement is inconsistent and heavily dependent on the individual student’s hustle.

Top recruiters named are ITC, HDFC, TCS, CCD, and eClerx. The roles mentioned are sales profiles and analyst positions. Don’t expect a parade of tech giants or core engineering firms. Internship support is another grey area, with students directly contradicting each other on whether the college provides them.

The reality check? Treat the official placement cell with healthy skepticism. If you enroll at MCE, you should plan from Day One to build your own profile through online courses, external internships, and off-campus drives. The college degree will be your baseline ticket; your job will be your own creation.

Fees and Financial Aid at Maharashtra College of Engineering

This is arguably MCE’s strongest selling point. The fees are remarkably low for a private engineering college.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the annual tuition for any B.E. branch is just ₹42,500. Over four years, that’s ₹1,70,000 in tuition. When you add in the other mandatory fees—library, technology, exam, and miscellaneous charges—the total course cost without hostel comes to roughly ₹190,500. That’s less than many colleges charge for a single year.

Hostel costs are extra and depend on your choice. A double-sharing room with mess will add about ₹55,000 per year, bringing the total 4-year cost to around ₹410,500. A single room pushes it to approximately ₹470,500.

Now, the scholarship scene is limited. The college itself does not offer any merit or need-based scholarships. Your only avenue is government schemes. Students from Maharashtra belonging to reserved categories (SC/ST, OBC, etc.) can apply for state government scholarships and freeships, but only if they come through the Centralized Admission Process (CAP). A critical caveat: students from other states are not eligible for these Maharashtra state benefits. You can find more on government schemes via the Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra.

Admissions: Eligibility, Cutoffs & Selection Process

Admission to the B.E. programs at MCE is entrance-exam based. The college accepts scores from MHT-CET and JEE Main. The selection is purely merit-based through the state counseling process.

The process is standard for Maharashtra engineering colleges: you take the exam, get a rank, and participate in the CAP rounds for seat allocation. The college’s own application fee is ₹1,000.

The brief does not provide any cutoff ranks or percentiles. Given the college's location and placement record, it’s safe to assume the cutoffs are not fiercely competitive. It’s a college that typically fills seats in the later rounds of counseling. If you have a moderate MHT-CET score and are looking for an affordable option in the region, MCE could be a feasible choice. There’s no mention of a management or NRI quota, which aligns with its reliance on the centralized system.

Campus, Hostels and Student Life

The campus is spread over a reported 23 acres (though some sources differ). It’s described as having good infrastructure, which is a consistent positive in reviews.

The labs are called "ultramodern" and well-equipped for practical work—a crucial aspect for any engineering program. The library is a highlight: well-stocked, air-conditioned, and serving as a central study hub. The campus has Wi-Fi, though the speed and reliability aren’t detailed.

Hostels are separate for boys and girls and are marketed as offering "luxurious accommodation." Student reviews rate the accommodation a 3.4 out of 5, which is decent. Details on food quality or strictness are scarce. Other amenities include a cafeteria, a medical center for first aid, an auditorium, and an open-air theater.

Where MCE seems to put genuine effort is in extracurriculars. The sports facilities are extensive for a college of its size: a 1.5-acre playground, courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball, grounds for cricket and football, and indoor facilities for badminton, table tennis, and more. There’s a fully-equipped gym and a yoga centre. The college organizes inter-class and inter-college sports tournaments, annual social gatherings, and cultural events like Shivjayanti. This active calendar is a big plus for student life and helps compensate for the rural location.

Student Reviews: What Maharashtra College of Engineering Alumni Really Think

Synthesizing the feedback from platforms like CollegeDunia and Shiksha paints a clear, two-sided picture.

The positives are strong on the academic and infrastructural front. Students repeatedly praise the "experienced faculty" who are supportive and helpful with assignments. The infrastructure—labs, library, sports facilities—gets high marks. The overall college environment is called "nice," and the seminar series is appreciated for adding value beyond the syllabus.

The negatives are almost exclusively career-focused. The phrase "poor placement opportunities" comes up a lot. The low salary bands (1-3 LPA) are a major point of discontent. There’s a tangible sense that the college’s official placement narrative doesn’t match the ground reality for the average student. The confusion and lack of support around internships is another common gripe. You don’t hear complaints about rampant ragging or terrible management—the issues are more about what happens after graduation.

Verdict: Is Maharashtra College of Engineering Worth It?

MCE is a classic case of "you get what you pay for." At under ₹50,000 a year in tuition, it’s one of the most affordable private B.E. options in Maharashtra. For a student from the Marathwada region with a limited budget, a moderate entrance exam score, and a goal to simply obtain an accredited engineering degree, it serves a purpose. The infrastructure is better than you’d expect at this price point, and the faculty feedback is reassuring.

But the compromise is severe. Placement support is weak and packages are low. This college is not a launchpad for a high-flying tech career. It’s best suited for students who plan to pursue government job exams, join a family business, or are confident in their ability to secure a job entirely through their own off-campus efforts. If you have the scores and financial means to aim for a college with a stronger track record in Pune, Mumbai, or even larger cities in Maharashtra, you should probably look there. MCE’s value is hyper-local and budget-specific. Go in with a plan, not just a hope, for what comes after the degree.