Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, was set up in 1916, is ranked #6 in NIRF 2025 and holds NAAC A. Central University of Andhra Pradesh (CUAP) is in Anantapuram, Andhra Pradesh and was set up in 2019. Both admit students through CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRF, so one set of scores works for both.
Quick verdict
- BHU: better NIRF rank (#6 vs Not Ranked)
- BHU: more teachers (1,891 vs 39)
- BHU: fewer students per teacher (17 vs 27)
- BHU: higher median salary (2-year PG) (Rs. 9 lakh (2024-25) vs Rs. 6.3 lakh (2024-25))
- BHU: more research funding (Rs. 206 crore (2024-25) vs Rs. 3 crore (2024-25))
- CUAP: more of the PG batch placed (1,372 of 4,472 (31%) vs 114 of 174 (66%))
BHU vs CUAP: full comparison
| Parameter | BHU | CUAP |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Anantapuram, Andhra Pradesh |
| Established | 1916 | 2019 |
| NIRF rank | #6 | Not Ranked |
| NAAC grade | A | - |
| Students (UG, PG, PhD) | 32,334 (2024-25) | 1,046 (2024-25) |
| Women students | 49% | 51% |
| From other states | 49% | 65% |
| Teachers | 1,891 | 39 |
| Students per teacher | 17 | 27 |
| Median salary, 2-year PG | Rs. 9 lakh (2024-25) | Rs. 6.3 lakh (2024-25) |
| Placed, 2-year PG | 1,372 of 4,472 (31%) | 114 of 174 (66%) |
| Higher studies, 2-year PG | 67% of the batch | 34% of the batch |
| Research grants | Rs. 206 crore (2024-25) | Rs. 3 crore (2024-25) |
| PhDs awarded | 738 (2024-25) | - |
| Admission routes | CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRF, JEE Main, NEET UG, CAT, GATE, CLAT, NCET/ITEP | CUET UG, CUET PG, NET/JRF |
| BHU profile → | CUAP profile → |
Sources: NIRF 2025 (Ministry of Education) and NAAC. Students, teachers, median salaries, placements and research grants are from the data each university filed with NIRF and published on its own website (open a university's profile for the PDF). Fees are compared only where they have been checked against the university's own prospectus. A tick marks the better value in a row.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose BHU if what matters most to you is: better NIRF rank (#6 vs Not Ranked); more teachers (1,891 vs 39); fewer students per teacher (17 vs 27), or you want to study in Varanasi.
- Choose CUAP if what matters most to you is: more of the PG batch placed (1,372 of 4,472 (31%) vs 114 of 174 (66%)), or you want to study in Anantapuram.
Admission at both is mostly through the national entrance tests, so check each one's BHU admission and CUAP admission pages for the courses and seats you want.
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