A state-run college offering BA, BSc, BCom and similar undergraduate programmes, affiliated to a state university.
Higher education enrolment in Thoothukudi runs at 28.3%, better than the typical district. The district has 63 colleges. The Government Degree College is often the only accessible, affordable option for local students to continue past school.
76% of registered enterprises are in services while 24% are in manufacturing. Only 4% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 84% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Thoothukudi, which ranks 17 of 38 in Tamil Nadu for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 51.2 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on secondary school enrolment in classes 9 to 12 at 84.4%, while it lags on youth unemployment aged 15 to 29 at 20.3%. On young people in the labour force aged 15 to 29 at 49.2%, it sits close to the national mark.