Stella Maris College is an autonomous women's college of arts, science, and commerce in Chennai, founded in 1947 by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary. Affiliated to the University of Madras, it holds NAAC A++ accreditation and ranks #41 in NIRF 2025 (Colleges category, score 61.25). The 19.5-acre campus is at 17, Cathedral Road, Chennai 600086.
Undergraduate admission is merit-based (Class 12 marks) through University of Madras common counselling. Degrees are awarded by the University of Madras. Five on-campus hostels serve outstation students.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stella Maris College (Autonomous) |
| Founded | 1947 (Franciscan Missionaries of Mary) |
| Type | Autonomous women's college, affiliated to University of Madras |
| Ownership | Private Christian minority institution |
| Location | 17, Cathedral Road, Chennai 600086 |
| Degree Awarded By | University of Madras |
| Gender | Women only |
| NAAC Grade | A++ (CGPA 3.72) |
| NIRF 2025 | College #41 (score 61.25) |
| Campus Area | 19.5 acres, Cathedral Road, Chennai |
| UG Admission | Merit-based (Class 12 marks); University of Madras common counselling |
| PG Admission | Entrance test or merit; direct college application |
| Hostel | Yes; 5 hostels on campus; Rs 35,000-45,000/yr |
| Website | stellamariscollege.edu.in |
Stella Maris College offers UG (3 years) and PG (2 years) programmes under the University of Madras pattern (not DU FYUP; Chennai-based colleges run 3-year UG).
Undergraduate (3 years, University of Madras):
| Programme | Annual Fee (Approx.) | Total 3-Year Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| BA (Economics, English, History, Social Work, Fine Arts, Tamil, Hindi, French, Philosophy, Sociology, Psychology) | ~Rs 10,000-12,000/yr | ~Rs 30,000-36,000 |
| BA (Hons) variants | ~Rs 10,000-12,000/yr | ~Rs 30,000-36,000 |
| B.Sc (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Nutrition, Biotechnology, Statistics) | ~Rs 12,000-16,000/yr | ~Rs 35,000-47,000 |
| B.Com (Commerce) | ~Rs 10,000-12,000/yr | ~Rs 30,000-35,000 |
| BBA (Business Administration) | ~Rs 50,000/yr | ~Rs 1.5 lakh (self-financed) |
| BCA (Computer Applications) | ~Rs 50,000/yr | ~Rs 1.5 lakh (self-financed) |
Postgraduate (2 years, University of Madras):
| Programme | Annual Fee (Approx.) | Total 2-Year Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| MA (various subjects) | ~Rs 8,000-12,000/yr | ~Rs 16,000-24,000 |
| M.Sc (various subjects) | ~Rs 12,000-20,000/yr | ~Rs 24,000-40,000 |
| M.Com | ~Rs 10,000/yr | ~Rs 20,000 |
Aided-category fees (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, MA, M.Sc, M.Com) are under University of Madras government norms. Self-financed programmes (BBA, BCA) have higher fees set by the college. Verify current fees at stellamariscollege.edu.in before applying.
UG Admission 2026:
PG Admission 2026:
Minimum eligibility (UG): Class 12 with at least 45% aggregate (relaxed for SC/ST per TN norms); stream-appropriate subjects.
| Scholarship | Eligibility | Award |
|---|---|---|
| GoI Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC/ST; family income below Rs 2.5 lakh/yr | Full tuition reimbursement + maintenance; apply via scholarships.gov.in |
| Tamil Nadu Government Post-Matric Scholarship | SC/ST/OBC students in TN colleges | Full/partial tuition; apply via e-kalvi.tn.gov.in |
| Central Sector Scholarship (CSSS) | Top 20% Class 12 board scorers; income below Rs 8 lakh/yr | Rs 10,000/yr (UG Yrs 1-3); Rs 20,000/yr (PG); apply via NSP |
| Ishan Uday Scholarship | Students from North-East India; income below Rs 4.5 lakh/yr | Rs 5,400/month (hostellers); Rs 3,000/month (day scholars) |
| Franciscan Missionary Aid | Christian minority students with financial need | Variable; contact college financial aid office |
| Stella Maris College Merit Scholarship | Top performers in each department each year | Tuition fee waiver or cash award; applied automatically by college |
SC/ST students should apply via Tamil Nadu's e-kalvi portal and NSP simultaneously on receiving admission confirmation. Apply within the first month -- many scholarships have early deadlines. Christian students from low-income backgrounds should contact the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary provincial office for institutional grants.
Stella Maris College is on a 19.5-acre campus at 17, Cathedral Road, Chennai 600086. The campus is in the heart of Chennai, adjacent to the Church of Our Lady of Good Health. The heritage main building dates to 1947. Near: Egmore railway station (2.5 km), Chennai Central (3 km), Nungambakkam station (1.5 km on MRTS); multiple MTC bus routes on Cathedral Road.
Facilities: central library, science and computer laboratories, fine arts studios, social work training centres, sports courts, auditorium, chapel, cafeteria, medical centre, Wi-Fi.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Campus area | 19.5 acres, Cathedral Road, Chennai |
| Address | 17, Cathedral Road, Chennai 600086 |
| Hostel blocks | 5 (Our Lady's Hostel, St. Joseph's Hostel, Nava Nirmana Hostel, Klemens Hostel, Snehalaya Hostel) |
| Hostel fees | Rs 35,000-45,000/yr (accommodation + food) |
| Women only | Yes |
| Nearest railway | Nungambakkam (1.5 km), Egmore (2.5 km), Chennai Central (3 km) |
| Bus access | Multiple MTC routes via Cathedral Road |
Hostel demand is high relative to capacity. Outstation students should apply for hostel accommodation at the time of college admission. Day scholars from Chennai commute via bus or auto from Egmore and Nungambakkam.
Stella Maris ranks #41 among all colleges in India in NIRF 2025, placing it among the top women's colleges in the country. Founded in 1947 by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, it is one of the oldest and most established women's colleges in Tamil Nadu. NAAC A++ accreditation and a 78-year institutional record make it the benchmark liberal arts college for women in South India. The cathedral-road campus and its alumni network spanning journalism, civil services, academia, finance, and corporate roles reflect the breadth of career outcomes.
The campus at 17, Cathedral Road, is in one of Chennai's most well-connected locations. Five on-campus hostels (Our Lady's, St. Joseph's, Nava Nirmana, Klemens, and Snehalaya) with a combined capacity accommodating outstation students. Hostel fees range Rs 35,000-45,000 per year, below private student accommodation rates in Chennai. Proximity to Nungambakkam and Egmore rail stations (Egmore approx 2.5 km; bus connectivity via Cathedral Road) and IT corridor (Guindy, Tidel Park approx 10 km) makes internship access practical for BBA and B.Com students.
BA, B.Sc, and B.Com programmes cost Rs 30,000-35,000 per year under University of Madras aided norms, totalling approximately Rs 90,000-1.05 lakh for a full 3-year degree. BBA and BCA are self-financed and cost Rs 1.5 lakh total. All fees are significantly below private university equivalents for the same University of Madras degree.
NIRF 2025 (AY 2023-24): 504 UG students placed out of 1,323 eligible (38.1% rate); 240 PG students placed out of ~362 eligible. Median UG package Rs 4.20 LPA; highest Rs 10 LPA. Top recruiters: Bank of Scotland, Zoho, Goldman Sachs, ICICI, DE Shaw, Barclays, EY. B.Com, BBA, BCA, and M.Sc students have the strongest corporate placement outcomes. Arts and social science graduates frequently pursue postgraduate study, civil services, or education.
As a Franciscan minority institution, a share of seats is reserved for Christian students under Tamil Nadu and UGC minority provisions. Christian applicants compete in a separate merit pool, which in popular courses effectively provides access at lower aggregate cutoffs than the open category. All students follow University of Madras common counselling; Christian applicants indicate their minority status during the application.
| Framework | Category | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | College | 2025 | #41 |
9 courses offered. Fees in INR lakhs.
| Course | Specialization | Duration | Total seats | Total fee | Avg package |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce) | Hons | 36 months | — | ₹0.9L | — |
| B.Sc (Bachelor of Science) | — | 36 months | — | ₹1.05L | — |
| BA (Bachelor of Arts) | Honours (General) | 36 months | — | ₹0.9L | — |
| BA (Bachelor of Arts) | — | 36 months | — | ₹0.9L | — |
| BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) | — | 36 months | — | ₹1.5L | — |
| BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) | — | 36 months | — | ₹1.5L | — |
| M.Com (Master of Commerce) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.6L | — |
| M.Sc (Master of Science) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.7L | — |
| MA (Master of Arts) | — | 24 months | — | ₹0.6L | — |
1-year placement history, latest data from 2025.
Campus size, faculty strength, hostel facilities, and academic infrastructure.
The college operates five hostels named Snehalaya, Our Lady's, Klemens, St. Josephs, and Nava Nirmana for student accommodation.
