Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), as per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), has released the 2019 rankings for higher educational institutions, as per the various categories of higher educational institutions like Universities, Colleges, Engineering, Management, Architecture, Medical, Law and Pharmacy the rankings are published. The ranking methodology considers attributes such as
- Teaching, learning & Resources
- Research & Professional practice
- Graduation Outcomes
- Outreach & Inclusivity
- Perception
There are 35 Arts & Science colleges in Tamil Nadu that has made it to the list of Top 100 arts and science college in India. Tamil Nadu ranks #1 best state for best Arts & Science colleges by obtaining 35 places in NIRF top 100 ranking. Even the number of Engineering colleges from Tamil Nadu in top 100 All-India ranking list is higher (Click here to view the Best Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu). Miranda House of University of Delhi is ranked the best college in India and Presidency College from Chennai is ranked the best college in Tamil Nadu. Here is the list of best Arts & Science colleges in Tamil Nadu.
| Tamil Nadu Ranking | NIRF Rank (All India Ranking) | Name of the institution | Location |
| 1 | 3 | Presidency College | Chennai |
| 2 | 6 | Loyola College | Chennai |
| 3 | 13 | Madras Christian College | Chennai |
| 4 | 17 | PSG College of Arts and Science | Coimbatore |
| 5 | 22 | PSGR Krishnammal College for Women | Coimbatore |
| 6 | 30 | Scott Christian College | Nagercoil |
| 7 | 32 | Women`s Christian College | Chennai |
| 8 | 33 | Government Arts College | Coimbatore |
| 9 | 34 | Thiagarajar College | Madurai |
| 10 | 36 | Ethiraj College for Women | Chennai |
| 11 | 39 | St. Joseph’s College | Tiruchirappalli |
| 12 | 40 | Queen Mary`s College | Chennai |
| 13 | 44 | Bishop Heber College | Tiruchirappalli |
| 14 | 51 | Ayya Nadar Janaki Ammal College | Sivakasi |
| 15 | 51 | Kongunadu Arts & Science College | Coimbatore |
| 16 | 53 | Sri Krishna Arts and Science College | Coimbatore |
| 17 | 58 | Stella Maris College for Women | Chennai |
| 18 | 59 | Jamal Mohamed College | Tiruchirappalli |
| 19 | 59 | Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science | Coimbatore |
| 20 | 63 | Virudhunagar Hindu Nadars Senthikumara Nadar College | Virudhunagar |
| 21 | 65 | Madras School of Social Work | Chennai |
| 22 | 67 | Dr. N. G. P. Arts and Science College | Coimbatore |
| 23 | 72 | Vellalar College for Women | Erode |
| 24 | 74 | St. Xavier`s College | Palayamkottai |
| 25 | 77 | V. O. Chidambaram College | Tuticorin |
| 26 | 79 | Lady Doak College | Madurai |
| 27 | 81 | Women’s Christian College | Nagercoil |
| 28 | 84 | Alagappa Government Arts College | Karaikudi |
| 29 | 85 | Holy Cross College | Tiruchirappalli |
| 30 | 86 | CMS College of Science and Commerce | Coimbatore |
| 31 | 90 | Anna Adarsh College for Women | Chennai |
| 32 | 91 | Justice Basher Ahmed Sayeed College for Women | Chennai |
| 33 | 94 | Fatima College | Madurai |
| 34 | 97 | Sri Meenakshi Government College for Women | Madurai |
| 35 | 98 | Muthurangam Govt. Arts College | Vellore |
