Universities in China ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 939 Universities in China

The People's Republic of China is divided into 23 provinces (Chinese: shěng), four municipalities, 5 autonomous regions, and 2 Special Administrative Regions. The Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau are featured in a separate section of our website. The provinces and municipalities with the highest number of higher education institutions that meet the uniRank selection criteria are Beijing, Shandong, Liaoning, Jiangsu and Hubei. The following uniRank sub-rankings and league tables consider all administrative divisions that include at least two Chinese higher education institutions meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Anhui (35)  
Beijing (59)  
Chongqing (18)  
Fujian (26)  
Gansu (17)  
Guangdong (46)  
Guangxi (26)  
Guizhou (20)  
Hainan (7)  
Hebei (39)  
Heilongjiang (37)  
Henan (49)  
Hubei (50)  
Hunan (36)  
Inner Mongolia (15)  
Jiangsu (50)  
Jiangxi (27)  
Jilin (29)  
Liaoning (52)  
Ningxia (6)  
Qinghai (3)  
Shaanxi (43)  
Shandong (55)  
Shanghai (34)  
Shanxi (24)  
Sichuan (40)  
Tianjin (21)  
Tibet (3)  
Xinjiang (12)  
Yunnan (24)  
Zhejiang (36)  

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Overview of China Universities

China's higher education system is one of the world's largest, featuring a diverse mix of public and private institutions. Governed by the Ministry of Education, Chinese universities emphasize academic rigor, research innovation and global competitiveness. Public universities receive state funding and dominate the sector, while private institutions offer specialized programs. Universities are categorized as comprehensive (offering broad disciplines) or specialized (focusing on fields like STEM, social sciences or arts). Degree levels span bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs, with many institutions conducting cutting-edge research.

Top 10 China Universities

1. Peking University (北京大学) (PKU) ranks #1 in China and #229 globally. Established in 1898 in Beijing, this public research university offers comprehensive programs across humanities, sciences and professional disciplines at all academic levels.
2. Tsinghua University (清华大学) (THU) holds China's #2 spot and #250 worldwide. Founded in 1911 in Beijing, this public research institution provides comprehensive education in engineering, technology, business and arts from undergraduate to PhD levels.
3. Zhejiang University (浙江大学) (ZJU) is China's #3 university (#382 globally). Established in 1897 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, this public research university delivers comprehensive programs in science, engineering, agriculture and medicine across multiple degree levels.
4. Shanghai Jiao Tong University (上海交通大学) (SJTU) ranks #4 in China (#410 globally). Founded in 1896 in Shanghai, this public research institution offers comprehensive studies in engineering, medicine, business and law at all academic stages.
5. Fudan University (复旦大学) (FDU) is China's #5 university (#613 worldwide). Established in 1905 in Shanghai, this public research university provides comprehensive education in humanities, social sciences and natural sciences from bachelor's to doctoral levels.
6. University of Science and Technology of China (中国科学技术大学) (USTC) holds China's #6 position (#619 globally). Founded in 1958 in Hefei, Anhui, this public research institution specializes in science and technology education at undergraduate through PhD levels.
7. Nanjing University (南京大学) (NJU) ranks #7 in China (#694 globally). Established in 1902 in Nanjing, Jiangsu, this public research university offers comprehensive programs in humanities, sciences and engineering across all academic levels.
8. Wuhan University (武汉大学) (WHU) is China's #8 university (#772 worldwide). Founded in 1893 in Wuhan, Hubei, this public research institution provides comprehensive education in law, medicine, business and liberal arts at multiple degree levels.
9. Xiamen University (厦门大学) (XMU) holds China's #9 spot (#938 globally). Established in 1921 in Xiamen, Fujian, this public research university delivers comprehensive programs in economics, management, fine arts and sciences from undergraduate to doctoral studies.
10. Renmin University of China (中国人民大学) (RUC) ranks #10 in China (#939 worldwide). Founded in 1937 in Beijing, this public research institution specializes in humanities and social sciences, offering programs at bachelor's, master's and PhD levels.

Analysis of University Types

China's 939 higher education institutions show strong public sector dominance: 537 public universities (57.2% of total) compared to 98 private institutions (10.4%). The remaining 304 universities (32.4%) represent other administrative categories like provincial or municipal institutions.

Global Ranking and Standing

While no Chinese universities appear in the global top 200, 14 institutions (1.5% of China's total) rank within the top 1,000 worldwide. This demonstrates the growing international competitiveness of top-ranked China universities globally.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are public or private universities better in China?
A: Public universities generally have higher prestige, more funding and dominate national rankings. Private institutions often specialize in vocational or niche fields.

Q: What is China's most prestigious university?
A: Peking University and Tsinghua University consistently rank as China's top two institutions and are globally recognized.

Q: Do Chinese universities teach in English?
A: Many top universities offer English-taught programs, particularly at graduate levels and in STEM fields, to attract international students.

Q: How affordable is Chinese higher education?
A: Public universities offer relatively low tuition (typically $3,000-$10,000/year), with private institutions charging higher fees. Scholarships are widely available.

Q: What are China's "C9 League" universities?
A: The C9 League is an elite group of nine research-intensive universities (including Peking, Tsinghua and Fudan), often called China's equivalent of the Ivy League.

Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Chinese universities and their online presence.

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