The question of whether to prioritize a top-rated course (at a lesser-known college) or an average course (at a top-tier institution)—or in other words, The College or The Course—often sparks heated, emotional debates. This decision influences not only early career opportunities but also long-term growth trajectories. Truth be told, this one decision changes one’s life completely.
Before writing further, I must, in all honesty, acknowledge that the decision of which institution to join is influenced by various factors surrounding a student—affordability, privilege, mindset, interests, exam preparation and results, family responsibilities, and personal circumstances—all of which played a part in my own journey. This blog is not intended to discount any of the important considerations. Instead, it focuses on a specific scenario: after these factors have been duly accounted for, and should the choice present itself to a student – the choice between a top-ranked college and a top-rated course, how should one seek to explore the broader perspective?
For this blog, a “top college” or “institution” refers to one that ranks within the top 10 in any given state.
Personal story: In 2011, I graduated from a tier-2 college with a computer science degree, the “it” degree of the time. A decade later, in 2021, I earned my MBA from one of the top institutes in the country, majoring in Strategy and Finance. In terms of technical capabilities, I want to come clean and say—Strategy is still a mystery to me; Finance, I understand but don’t feel fully confident in; and Coding, I have completely forgotten. But these two experiences changed my life completely, and has given me a unique vantage point to evaluate both paths.
In my experience, the institution often has a profound impact than the course, and here is why:
My Tier-2 College Experience
After my Karnataka CET, I chose an old, renowned, tier-2 college for its computer science program, even though I had other engineering disciplines like Civil, Mechanical, EEE, Aerospace, etc., in top colleges to choose from. My reasons were:
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The college was 7 km from home, a crucial factor due to a personal medical condition. As a newcomer to Bangalore from a small town in Uttar Pradesh, I prioritised health and comfort.
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Computer science was in demand, and all my cousins were pursuing the same degree, and it was almost an “ensured placement” course. Besides, my thoughts, wrongly so, at that time were – weren’t other courses more tough?
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The fees were government-subsidized—just ₹18,000 a year.
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A distant aunt, a professor in the same college, vouched for the department.
While these reasons were valid and seemed logical at that time, the reality unfolded differently:
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While I enjoyed the general subjects in my first year, I soon realized I wasn’t passionate about computer science. Changing departments wasn’t an option unless you were the topper—and I certainly wasn’t.
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The college offered minimal opportunities beyond academics—just a couple of fests in four years. I struggled to keep up with the coursework, which felt increasingly alien to me.
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Alumni networks and industry connections were virtually non-existent. I had no one to turn to for direction—no one to tell me if it was normal to feel disconnected from the subject. Did everyone genuinely enjoy it, or was I the only one struggling to understand it? These questions did nothing but increase my self-doubt.
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Slowly, a sense of inferiority crept in. I tried my best to mask it, but my silence was often mistaken for arrogance. It wasn’t—I just didn’t know how to express that I was falling behind.
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By the end of four years, I felt adrift and unsure about my future. I did land a job through campus placements and in a location of my choice. But so disillusioned I was, that within 2 years, consciously, I completely pivoted and changed my entire domain into the education sector.
That one decision—to choose my college—felt, in many ways, like it set me back six years: four years spent in college and two more searching for a sense of direction. I must say, the college itself was not at fault—many of my peers from there have gone on to build exceptional careers in computer science. But they were also the ones who truly grasped the subject and carried a passion for it from the beginning. For me, however, it was different. While the college served many of my peers well, it did not meet my needs or help me discover where my strengths lay.
“An educational institution, I believe, should strive to kindle every facet of a student’s potential, shaping both the skills they know and the ones they have yet to uncover. It should nurture not just one strength or aptitude but the whole person. In this, I feel my college fell short. It served its purpose for some, but for me, it lacked the ability to inspire and guide in the way I needed most.”
My Tier-1 College Experience
The Explicit Advantage: Exposure Beyond Academics: Ask any student studying in a top-ranked institute: What did you do there? The first answer most likely shall be – oh! There were so many things to do, I did something of all!
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Discovering What We Don’t Know: Engagement in diverse activities helps students identify unknown strengths and talents. Half the time, we don’t know what we don’t know, and these opportunities allow us to explore new skills in real-world scenarios.
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Finding and Playing to Our Strengths: During my time at ISB, I realized I had an aptitude for understanding the human side of problems—an often overlooked aspect. A realization that I was catching something that others (usually) didn’t, encouraged me to ask questions during classroom discussions—even when my classmates gave me hard looks about prolonging the class time. This skill proved invaluable during my consulting stint, and I have learned to leverage it time and again.
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Knowing People and Building Connections: We all know that networking events, case competitions, alumni meetups, study groups, clubs, etc., helps us interact with industry professionals – but, it goes more than that – more than the fact that we build industry connections, we realize that everyone is figuring things out—no one has it all figured out. This realization fosters a more grounded and realistic approach to one’s career, without being overwhelmed by it all.
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Raising Our Baseline: While competence and skill ultimately determine success, the cachet of a top institution undeniably plays a role. This is not to say that placements at top institutions are smooth, or that placements at tier-2 colleges are not—they’re not. Example: a 2x increase on a ₹25L package, after three years, is far more impactful than the same raise on a ₹6L package. This progression helps build confidence, which in turn fosters further success. While I had one of the lowest post-ISB pay packages in my cohort, my growth trajectory between pre- and post-ISB was the most significant. That’s the kind of benchmarking I am talking about.
The Implicit Advantage: Recognizing That the Playing Field Levels From Here:
Once one has cleared a tough exam or stringent interview to enter a top institution, it’s no longer about the scores that got one there – because now, everyone around is similar to you. What differentiates from this point onward is no longer intelligence—just the work ethic and a maniacal urge to learn.
The curriculum at almost all the top institutions is rigorous, and there is a reason for this. It is not designed to pit students against one another but to ensure that, when they enter the real world, they are accustomed to working hard, thinking smartly, diving deep into problems, and finding solutions. These institutions implicitly teach that success isn’t about luck. The harder or smarter you work, and the more you keep thinking about the next steps, the more successful you become. It’s no coincidence that many startup founders in Bangalore come from IITs, IIMs, and other top institutions. The ability to work hard, explore problems in-depth, and find innovative solutions becomes a second nature for students from these institutions.
Conclusion
I have reached a place where I trust myself entirely—my strengths, weaknesses, and decisions. Whether I act or choose not to, I know it is an informed choice, and not a reflection of my capability. Education should build a person, not diminish them. Unfortunately, as of now, it is only the top-tier institutions that have resources to provide a comprehensive ecosystem of opportunities, connections, and challenges that shape us for life in ways we may only fully realize years later.
While not every student can secure admission to a top-ranked institution, (mathematically, it is not possible), every college can build an environment that fosters excellence and transforms lives. Success isn’t just about rankings—it’s about offering real-world exposure, nurturing curiosity, and creating opportunities for holistic growth. Industry ties for internships, case-based curricula, alumni mentorship, and platforms for interdisciplinary learning can go a long way in bridging the gap.
While diving deeper into these transformative steps is beyond the scope of this discussion, they’re vital conversations for those committed to redefining education.
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