I’m from Manipal, so this answer will be more towards it.
Teaching and Placements – Teaching is pretty good for Mechatronics Dept. The placements are really good for Mechatronics, most of the students have gotten placed in top companies. Even mechanical companies prefer mechatronics students! Grading is relative so it’s easy to score and as long as you listen in class you don’t have to study until a week before the tests.
College life – I believe Manipal is going to come out on top here. Campus is beautiful, very close to the beach (which is very clean) and good restaurants. It’s not in the middle of nowhere as people would think. Once this pandemic is over, Manipal will be a vibrant place so you will have fun (Just make sure to listen in class, then you will get good grades while enjoying!!)
So, in the end, I would recommend Manipal, but the decision is up to you depending on the cost and location and few parents are not comfortable sending their children to Manipal because of the drug culture. But I can assure you that it’s nothing like that. I have been in Manipal for 4 years and haven’t been doing drugs at all. So don’t worry!