A state-run college offering BA, BSc, BCom and similar undergraduate programmes, affiliated to a state university.
Higher education enrolment in Barnala runs at 18.1%, close to the typical district. The district has 18 colleges. The Government Degree College is often the only accessible, affordable option for local students to continue past school.
70% of registered enterprises are in services while 30% are in manufacturing. Only 3% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 85% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Barnala, which ranks 11 of 23 in Punjab for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 52.9 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on secondary school enrolment in classes 9 to 12 at 85%, while it lags on youth unemployment aged 15 to 29 at 16.8%. On young people in the labour force aged 15 to 29 at 48.1%, it sits close to the national mark.