As i have been in both the institutes so i think i can give you a clear picture of it.
- THE PEOPLE: The students as well as the professors are better in Thapar University for sure(especially in Computer Science, Electronics and Mechanical). For other branches it would not be a lot of difference between the two.
- Placements: Thapar does have some what better placement opportunities than Manipal , but personally, what i feel, having a placement depends on what you have done in your 4 years of engineering. If you know what you want to do in life and you have worked 4 years in that direction, you would get placed anywhere in the world.(Sounds a little cheesy, but its true).
- Campus: The infrastructure and the campus life is equally good in both the campus. As Thapar is placed in the foot many mountain ranges and Chandigarh being an hour away, you do have a lot of places to visit.