A state-run college offering BA, BSc, BCom and similar undergraduate programmes, affiliated to a state university.
Higher education enrolment in Tirunelveli runs at 56.9%, better than the typical district. The district has 95 colleges. The Government Degree College is often the only accessible, affordable option for local students to continue past school.
74% of registered enterprises are in services while 26% are in manufacturing. Only 3% of employment is in small and medium enterprises. 92% of school-age children are enrolled in higher secondary school (classes 9–12).
In Tirunelveli, which ranks 9 of 38 in Tamil Nadu for youth opportunity, the overall opportunity score is 54.2 out of 100. The district runs ahead of the national picture on secondary school enrolment in classes 9 to 12 at 92.3%, while it lags on youth unemployment aged 15 to 29 at 21.5% and young people in the labour force aged 15 to 29 at 35.1%.