Universities in Croatia

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 41 Universities in Croatia

The Republic of Croatia is divided into 20 counties (Croatian: županije) along with the capital city of Zagreb. The counties are further subdivided into 128 cities and 428 municipalities. The majority of higher education institutions that meet the uniRank selection criteria are located in Zagreb, the nation's capital, which serves as the political, cultural, and educational hub of the country. The following uniRank sub-rankings and league tables consider all administrative divisions that include at least one Croatian higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Bjelovar-Bilogora (1)  
Brod-Posavina (1)  
Dubrovnik-Neretva (3)  
Istria (2)  
Karlovac (1)  
Koprivnica-Krizevci (2)  
Krapina-Zagorje (1)  
Lika-Senj (1)  
Medimurje (1)  
Osijek-Baranja (1)  
Primorje-Gorski Kotar (3)  
Sibenik-Knin (2)  
Split-Dalmatia (3)  
Virovitica-Podravina (1)  
Vukovar-Syrmia (1)  
Zadar (1)  
Zagreb (16)  

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Overview of Croatia Universities

Croatia's higher education system comprises public and private institutions offering diverse academic pathways. The country has 41 universities, with public universities typically being research-intensive and comprehensive, while private institutions often focus on specialized professional education. Higher education follows the Bologna Process, offering Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees. Programs are accredited by the Agency for Science and Higher Education (ASHE), ensuring quality standards. Key hubs include Zagreb, Split and Rijeka, with institutions covering fields from marine sciences to information technology.

Top 10 Croatia Universities

1. University of Zagreb (Sveučilište u Zagrebu) - UNIZG. Croatia Rank: #1 | Global Rank: #542. Established: 1874. Public research university in Zagreb. Comprehensive institution offering arts, engineering, medicine and social sciences. Degrees: Bachelor's to Doctorate.
2. University of Rijeka (Sveučilište u Rijeci) - UNIRI. Croatia Rank: #2 | Global Rank: #1,877. Established: 1973. Public research university in Rijeka, Primorje-Gorski Kotar. Comprehensive programs in maritime studies, humanities and biotechnology. Degrees: Bachelor's to Doctorate.
3. University of Split (Sveučilište u Splitu) - UNIST. Croatia Rank: #3 | Global Rank: #2,005. Established: 1974. Public research university in Split, Split-Dalmatia. Comprehensive institution with strengths in Mediterranean agriculture and oceanography. Degrees: Bachelor's to Doctorate.
4. Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek (Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku) - UNIOS. Croatia Rank: #4 | Global Rank: #2,297. Established: 1975. Public research university in Osijek, Osijek-Baranja. Comprehensive programs in food technology, economics and electrical engineering. Degrees: Bachelor's to Doctorate.
5. University of Zadar (Sveučilište u Zadru) - UNIZD. Croatia Rank: #5 | Global Rank: #2,890. Established: 2002 (roots to 1396). Public research university in Zadar. Comprehensive institution specializing in Adriatic studies and archaeology. Degrees: Bachelor's to Doctorate.
6. Algebra University College (Visoko učilište Algebra) - ALG. Croatia Rank: #6 | Global Rank: #4,934. Established: 2008. Private specialized institution in Zagreb. Focuses on information technology and digital marketing. Degrees: Bachelor's and Master's.
7. Juraj Dobrila University of Pula (Sveučilište Jurja Dobrile u Puli) - UNIPU. Croatia Rank: #7 | Global Rank: #5,418. Established: 2006. Public research university in Pula, Istria. Comprehensive programs in tourism management and informatics. Degrees: Bachelor's to Doctorate.
8. University of Dubrovnik (Sveučilište u Dubrovniku) - UNIDU. Croatia Rank: #8 | Global Rank: #5,561. Established: 2003. Public research university in Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik-Neretva. Comprehensive institution specializing in maritime studies and marine engineering. Degrees: Bachelor's to Doctorate.
9. University North (Sveučilište Sjever) - UNIN. Croatia Rank: #9 | Global Rank: #6,412. Established: 2015. Public research university in Koprivnica, Koprivnica-Križevci. Comprehensive programs in industrial engineering and media studies. Degrees: Bachelor's to Doctorate.
10. Polytechnic of Zagreb (Tehničko veleučilište u Zagrebu) - TVZ. Croatia Rank: #10 | Global Rank: #6,631. Established: 1998. Public specialized institution in Zagreb. Focuses on applied engineering and business computing. Degrees: Bachelor's and Master's.

Analysis of University Types

Croatia's 41 universities show a balanced distribution between public and private institutions. Public universities dominate the top rankings, comprising 20 institutions (48.8% of total). Private universities number 21 (51.2%), typically smaller specialized colleges. All top-ranked institutions except Algebra University College (#6) are public, reflecting the state's strong role in research-focused higher education.

Global Ranking and Standing

Croatian universities show emerging global presence, with one institution ranked in the world's top 1000 (2.4% of national institutions). The University of Zagreb leads at #542 globally. No Croatian universities currently rank in the global top 200, highlighting opportunities for enhanced international research collaboration and funding.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the oldest university in Croatia?
A: The University of Zagreb, established in 1669 (modern structure from 1874), is Croatia's oldest and largest university.

Q: Are Croatian degrees recognized internationally?
A: Yes, Croatia follows the Bologna Process, ensuring degrees are compatible with the European Higher Education Area and widely recognized globally.

Q: Do Croatian universities teach programs in English?
A: Many universities offer English-taught programs, particularly in STEM fields, business and tourism. The University of Zagreb leads in English offerings.

Q: What are typical tuition fees in Croatia?
A: Public universities charge €1,000-€4,000/year for international students. Private institutions range €3,000-€7,000. EU students often pay lower public university fees.

Q: Which Croatian university is best for marine studies?
A: The University of Split and University of Dubrovnik are top choices for marine sciences, oceanography and maritime engineering due to their coastal locations.

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

• Oldest Universities in Croatia
  Explore the most traditional and long-established Croatian post-secondary institutions according to uniRank's original research.
• A-Z Universities in Croatia
  Search for Croatian higher education institutions listed alphabetically from A to Z.
• Croatian Universities by Town
  Look for tertiary institutions located in a particular Croatian town or city.
• Top Public Universities in Croatia
  Discover Croatian public higher education institutions with potentially lower tuition fees.
• Top Private Universities in Croatia
  Find out about Croatian private higher education institutions.
• Top Non-Profit Universities in Croatia
  Explore Croatian not-for-profit higher education institutions that may offer lower tuition fees.
• Top For-Profit Universities in Croatia
  Look for Croatian for-profit higher education institutions.
• Top Croatian Universities on Facebook
  See which tertiary institutions in Croatia have the most followers on Facebook, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Croatian Universities on Twitter
  Discover the Universities in Croatia that are most followed on Twitter, based on uniRank's original research.
• Top Croatian Universities on Instagram
  Find out which post-secondary institutions in Croatia are the most followed on Instagram, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Croatian Universities on YouTube
  Explore the Universities in Croatia with the most subscribed channels on YouTube, based on uniRank's original research.