Real ROI Of Cracking JEE – Cost Vs Career Outcome!

September 15, 2025

The JEE exam is one of the difficult entrance tests in the country. JEE aspirants mostly aim for admission to IITs, NITs, and other top colleges. There is a common perception that clearing the JEE ensures a successful career. Parents invest lakhs in coaching while aspirants work hard to prepare well. But people mostly ask, “Is the return on investment (ROI) worth it?”. Does acing the JEE and admission to IIT or NIT ensure a high-paying career? Many top engineering colleges charge between INR 8 Lakh and INR 16 Lakh+. The average package for graduates of top institutes falls between INR 7 LPA and INR 15 LPA.. Read here the real ROI of cracking JEE and understand costs and career outcomes.

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Table of Contents

What is the Cost of Cracking JEE?

Clearing the JEE exam is not limited to knowledge and hard work. It also includes the cost of preparation. Students also spend on coaching, study materials, and online classes. They also dedicate ample time and avoid fun for years. The real cost involves investment, dedication, and stress. Mentioned below is a clear picture of the costs of Cracking the JEE exam:

Financial Cost

Preparing for the JEE exam is costly. It includes coaching, books and test series. Check the breakdown of the cost of preparing for JEE:

Coaching Fees: Many coaching centres charge between INR 1.5 Lakh to INR 3 Lakh. Many students begin their preparation in Class 11. This makes their total costs reach INR 5 Lakh. But iQuanta is one of the affordable IIT JEE online coaching. It offers video lectures, DPPs, 24X7 doubt-solving support, and other unique features.
School + Tuition: Along with coaching fees, students pay for tuition and other school expenses. This includes INR 1 to INR 2 lakh in total cost.
Living Expenses: Students shift to Kota, Delhi, or other cities for JEE prep. They spend around INR 1 to INR 2 Lakh per year on hostel and other requirements.
Books and Materials: This adds around INR 20,000 to INR 50,000 to the total cost of preparation.

Time Cost

The valuable things in JEE preparation are time. Many students dedicate 2 to 3 years to JEE and often cut down on fun activities and friends. Their friend explores other careers or skill-building. But JEE aspirants spend 10 to 12 hours solving problems every day.

Emotional Cost

Preparing for JEE is stressful. Students go through long study hours, countless mock tests, and nonstop comparisons. This makes their preparation more like survival instead of learning.

What Happens If You Crack JEE?

The real ROI of cracking JEE is investment, time, and personal growth. Those who secure seats at IITs/NITs get better ROI both in salary and career opportunities. But the ROI is not very strong in low-ranked colleges. Learn below what happens if you crack the JEE exam:

Entry into IITs and NITs

Admission into IITs and NITs opens doors to attractive career opportunities. They offer quality education, a strong alumni network, higher packages, and brand value. The average fees are around INR 8 to INR 16 lakh, while the salary package falls between INR 7 LPA and INR 15 LPA.

Career Opportunities After IIT/NIT

High-paying Jobs: Many IIT graduates secure jobs in leading companies like Google, Microsoft, etc. The salary packages typically range between INR 10 LPA and INR 50 LPA
Public Sector Jobs: Some students clear GATE and join PSUs for a secure career.
Research & Higher Studies: IITians have better chances to secure a seat in top foreign universities for higher studies.

Average vs. Top Packages

You must clearly understand the difference between high and average salary for clarity purposes:

Top 5 to 10% students: INR 25 to INR 50 LPA or even more (international offers).
Average students: INR 7 to INR 15 LPA in tech companies.
Lower-tier placements: INR 6 to INR 8 LPA, sometimes even less.