Acumen India 10 States Report: Karnataka

INDIA 10 STATES REPORT

The State of Karnataka: Opportunities for Global Education Partnerships

Karnataka plays a critical role in advancing India’s knowledge economy as one of the nation’s leading states for higher education.

Home to the technology hub of Bengaluru as well as established cultural centres of learning in Mangaluru and Mysuru, Karnataka attracts students from across India and around the world seeking a dynamic educational experience.

Within this environment, new opportunities are emerging across the state’s educational landscape. Acumen’s India 10 States Report: Karnataka provides key insights and trends to help foreign higher education

Robust Educational Landscape

» 84 Universities

» 671 Nursing Colleges

» 70 Medical Colleges

» 298 Polytechnic Colleges

Research and Innovation Hubs

» Indian Institute of Science (IISC) Biotechnology and Aerospace

Multilingual Advantage

» Cosmopolitan Environment

» Cross Cultural Exchange Students from across the Country

Supportive Government Policies

» Encourages Foreign Collaborations

» Investment-friendly Policies.

institutions strengthen their presence and partnerships in Karnataka. By gaining a deeper understanding of the state’s evolving education markets and hubs, international universities can explore meaningful collaborations that support Karnataka’s continued development as a gateway for global skills and ideas. For students, educators, and stakeholders, these partnerships will help drive innovation and human progress throughout India’s rising knowledge society.

Growing Network of International Schools

» Offering IB and CAIE Curricula

» Well prepared for International Education

Thriving Metropolis: Bengaluru

» Silicon Valley of India Major Hub Professionals

» Quality of Life

Alumni Success Stories

» Global Leaders, Entrepreneurs Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange

Fee Structure and Affordability

» US $602 to $2,408 for Engineering

» US $3,612 to $84,295 for Medicine

» Robust Growth in the GSD

Karnataka’s Higher Education

System and Potential for Outbound Student Mobility

Karnataka has a large addressable market for international education due to its position as a leading hub for higher education in India.

The state is home to the third largest number of colleges in India and possesses the greatest density of higher education institutions (HEIs) per capita, with 66 HEIs per 100,000 eligible residents. Bengaluru urban alone is home to over 1,000 colleges, further cementing Karnataka’s status as a centre of education. Karnataka also leads India in nursing enrolment, demonstrating the population’s interest in careerfocused fields of study.

College Density

Karnataka Average National Average

66 Colleges per 100,000

More than 50% of the enrolled students are women.

30 Colleges per 100,000

Significantly, 70% of Karnataka’s students come from outside the state, according to the British Council’s 2023 Student Mobility Report. This makes Karnataka a major destination for domestic students and a top contributor to India’s outbound student mobility. Approximately 9% of all Indian students pursuing higher education abroad come from Bengaluru alone.

Students from Karnataka tend to be well-positioned for international study. They have the financial means, relevant academic backgrounds, and aspirations of global experience that are prerequisites for successful transfer to universities overseas. Their selections reflect a track record of scholastic excellence, existing employment opportunities, and personal preferences.

Karnataka’s economy is thriving in industries and services, with a per capita income of $4,158 - the fifth highest in India - according to the Indian government’s 2022-23 Economic Survey. High earnings, driven by strong overall growth, provide students a solid financial foundation to explore education abroad as a viable option.

Bangalore has held a historical identity as a centre of technical education shortly after the Indian independence. Its expanding education infrastructure and a cosmopolitan population with students from all corners of the country make it a national hub for higher education.

Technical know-how laid the base for the IT revolution, which exposed the emerging middle class to global clients and ideas. This feeds into an aspirational lifestyle of global mobility and an affinity for internationalisation.”

Dr. Sunayana Ganguly Faculty Member Azim Premji University

BANGALORE, A NATIONAL HUB FOR HIGHER EDUCATION...

BANGALORE, A NATIONAL HUB FOR HIGHER EDUCATION...

BANGALORE, NATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION... BANGALORE, NATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION...

Emerging Centres of Excellence in Karnataka’s Education Sector

While Bengaluru, Mangaluru and Mysuru remain the dominant hubs for education in Karnataka, several emerging Tier 2 cities are establishing themselves as centres of excellence.

These cities offer a combination of factors that are driving the internationalisation of higher education across the state.

Key attributes of the emerging centres include existing educational infrastructure, partnerships with overseas institutions, qualified student populations and supportive industry and investment environments. Mangaluru, Mysuru and other cities have thriving pools of students with the means and ambition for quality education.

The map highlights the unique profiles of areas across Karnataka. It shows how certain locations have particularly strong combinations of attributes that are cultivating world-class education ecosystems. International engagement is deepening as institutions collaborate and exchange ideas. Karnataka’s education sector is being elevated through the diverse strengths of these emerging centres of learning.

Karnataka’s Education Sector Map

Industry

Collaboration

Universities School Education

Population

Belgaum

Population: 784,000

Agriculture, Sugar, Power, Textiles, Mining

Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) Private: KLE University

University of North Alabama, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Ghent University Belgium, University of Maryland

Hubli

Population: 1,205,428

Industrial Clusters, Automotive, Aerospace Industry

Engineering, Healthcare Medical Sciences, Nursing Colleges & Business Schools

Mangaluru

Population: 1,312,875

More than 50 Instituations from USA, UK, France, Spain, Australia, Including IAEA. - Manipal Academy has collaborations with Northern Arizona University, Drexel University, Lancashire University, etc.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Industry Coastal town Tourism and Hospitality, Engineering and Technology

Medicine, Healthcare, Business Administration, STEM and Marine Sciences and Aquaculture Program

Gulbarga

Population: 735,118

Skill Development, Vocational Training, Entrepreneurship, Tie-ups with Local Industry

Texas Instruments - Collaboration with Central University of Karnataka

Agriculture, Agribusiness

Bengaluru

Population: 13,608,000

John Hopkins University USA, Osaka City University Japan, MIT, and other Universities in the USA, Brazil, Spain, Singapore etc. IISc has 113 International Collaborations. IIM collaborates with 90 Universities

Davangere

Population: 434,971

STEM Institutions and Healthcare Services, IT Educational Institutions

More than 1000 IT technology and Financial Companies aid Major Industries in Devangere

Cotton Indsutry, Major Cotton Mills, Handloom Industry, and Agriculture Industry

18 International Schools including Harrow School, IB and CAIE

IT, Biotechnology, Aerospace, and Engineering Industry, AI and Healthcare Services Engineering, IIT, IIIT Institutions, Management Schools, Business Schools, IISc, National Institute of Design

Mysuru

Population: 1,288,000

Berlin Technical University Germany and Huanghuai University, China

Universities, Engineering Colleges, Business Schools

Tourism related to Art History and Heritage Studies and Cultural Heritage Agri Business, Traditional Indian Medicine

Transferring Academic Excellence —

Key International Education Partners in Karnataka

There are over 200 international schools across Karnataka delivering globally recognised curricula such as the International Baccalaureate and Cambridge Assessment International Education.

These schools, accounting for approximately 10% of international provision nationally, demonstrate both the financial means of Karnataka’s residents and their commitment to high-quality education preparation for overseas higher education opportunities. Fees for these international curricula range from £6,600-10,000 per year, underscoring

By offering globally transferable qualifications, these schools strengthen Karnataka’s position as a source of well-prepared students for the world’s top institutions. Their growth also signals the state’s growing internationalisation and ability to attract skilled families looking for a comprehensive education to set their children up for future success

Karnataka’s Reputation for Excellence in Higher Education

Karnataka is home to many world-class higher education institutions.

The state hosts 10 of India’s top 100 institutes according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), more than any other state except Maharashtra and Delhi. This includes the prestigious Indian Institute of Science, which ranks first in the overall NIRF rankings.

Students in Karnataka consistently achieve high proficiency in English, as demonstrated by the state’s average IELTS score of 6.8 - the highest in India. They also surpass national averages in other core subjects like mathematics, science and social sciences due to the state’s strong focus on academic excellence from an early age.

This foundation coupled with private institutions enrolling large numbers of students indicates that Karnataka produces highly qualified candidates who are well-prepared for further education abroad. Financial resources are also generally strong given the state’s high per capita GSDP and foreign direct investment.

Overall, Karnataka has established a reputation for producing students with the necessary academic achievements, language skills and financial means to succeed at the world’s leading universities and colleges. This makes the state an important talent pool for foreign higher education institutions.

Private/ Deemed Universities: 7 institutions

out of 40

5 out of 40 Colleges: 2

Institutions 5 out of 50

and

Karnataka’s Global Connections

Key highlights of Karnataka’s openness to internationalisation and collaboration

The Government of Karnataka has shown clear support for education, entrepreneurship and international partnerships. Significant investment has been directed towards developing educational infrastructure and supportive policies across all levels.

Karnataka hosts numerous international research collaborations and partnerships. This demonstrates the state’s commitment to global engagement and sharing of knowledge.

The business environment has been highly conducive to start-up growth through incentives and access to

funding. Over 15,000 start-ups are in operation, spanning pre-seed to later stage financing rounds. Karnataka is also home to 29 ‘unicorn’ startups valued over $1 billion USD, which have collectively raised $24.6 billion in funding.

This track record establishes Karnataka as a hub where education, innovation and global networks combine to drive economic progress. The state’s open policies continue to attract international investment and collaboration.

Conducive Enviroment for Internationalisation of HEIs:

Strong Digital Infrastructure

the state has good broadband, mobile, and satellite connectivity even in remote areas, as well as a robust network of date centres and cloud services.

Skilled Talent Pool

The state has a large and diverse workforce of engineers, IT professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

Low Enviromental Risk

The state has a moderate climate, low exposure to natural disasters, and high enviromental awareness. The state also promotes renewable energy and green initiatives.

Key Opportunities for International Higher Education Providers in Karnataka

Karnataka presents significant opportunities for foreign higher education institutions (FHEIs) due to its progressive policies, vibrant economy, and cultural diversity.

Unique areas like Ayurveda and yoga draw on India’s cultural heritage, representing opportunities for distinctive educational offerings.

The state has a large population of international school students who are financially able and culturally open to studying abroad. This indicates strong potential demand.

Lifestyle trends in Karnataka have opened avenues for skills-based studies in areas such as organic farming, healthcare, sustainable agriculture and more.

Emerging cities like Dharwad and Davangere provide untapped areas for partnerships and collaborations between FHEIs and local educational institutions.

Cities like Mangaluru, Mysuru and Bengaluru offer sectorspecific opportunities through their economic strengths in tourism/ports, liberal arts and IT respectively.

The progressive policies of the Karnataka government and characteristics of its regions make it an attractive market for FHEIs to establish a presence in India. Partnerships are encouraged across a variety of innovative models.

In Conclusion

Our comprehensive analysis in the Acumen India 10 States Report: Karnataka demonstrates that the state stands as a pillar of India’s knowledge economy.

With a rich legacy of renowned educational institutions spanning prestigious universities, reputed medical colleges and world-class engineering institutes, Karnataka has cemented its position as a centre of academic excellence.

At the heart of this ecosystem lies Bengaluru, globally recognised as the Silicon Valley of India where it has fostered innovation and industrial growth. The Indian Institute of Science further strengthens Karnataka’s education landscape as a beacon of research and development.

Boasting a sizable student population and a tradition of cultivating highly skilled graduates particularly from Bengaluru, Karnataka has become a hub for talent and intellectual capital. Its internationally esteemed schools and top-ranked higher education establishments equip students with the abilities required for success in today’s competitive global marketplace.

Moreover, Karnataka’s supportive policies and business-conducive environment make it an attractive proposition for international university and institutional partnerships, especially within promising sectors like biotechnology and agriculture.

We encourage you to explore the vast opportunities Karnataka has to offer.

Please contact our team to discuss potential collaborations and partnerships and leverage the full potential of this dynamic state.