Universities in Korea ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 186 Universities in Korea

The Republic of South Korea is divided into 8 provinces (Korean: do), 6 metropolitan cities (Korean: gwangyeoksi), 1 special city (Korean: teukbyeolsi), and 1 special autonomous city (Korean: teukbyeol-jachisi). The vast majority of higher education institutions that meet the uniRank selection criteria are located in the special city of Seoul, which serves as the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea, as well as in the surrounding Gyeonggi Province. The following uniRank sub-rankings and league tables consider all provinces that include at least one South Korean higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Busan (14)  
Daegu (3)  
Daejeon (10)  
Gangwon (8)  
Gwangju (8)  
Gyeonggi (27)  
Incheon (3)  
Inchon (1)  
Jeju (2)  
North Chungcheong (11)  
North Gyeongsang (18)  
North Jeolla (9)  
Seoul (39)  
South Chungcheong (15)  
South Gyeongsang (7)  
South Jeolla (9)  
Ulsan (2)  

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Overview of Korea Universities

South Korea's higher education system features prestigious universities known for technological innovation and academic rigor. Institutions are categorized as public (state-funded) or private, with most falling under private management. Universities typically offer comprehensive programs across humanities, sciences and engineering, though specialized institutions focus on fields like STEM. Degree levels include bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs, with strong emphasis on research and global competitiveness. Seoul dominates as the primary educational hub.

Top 10 Korea Universities

1. Seoul National University (서울대학교) - SNU. Rank: Country #1, World #309. Location: Seoul. Established: 1946. Public, non-profit, research-intensive, comprehensive. Fields: Wide-ranging. Levels: Bachelor's–Doctoral.
2. KAIST (카이스트) - KAIST. Rank: Country #2, World #455. Location: Daejeon. Established: 1971. Public, non-profit, research-intensive, specialized. Fields: STEM focus. Levels: Bachelor's–Doctoral.
3. Yonsei University (연세대학교) - Rank: Country #3, World #583. Location: Seoul. Established: 1957. Private, for-profit, research-intensive, comprehensive. Fields: Broad disciplines. Levels: Bachelor's–Doctoral.
4. Korea University (고려대학교) - Rank: Country #4, World #714. Location: Seoul. Established: 1905. Private, comprehensive. Fields: Diverse programs. Levels: Bachelor's–Doctoral.
5. Sungkyunkwan University (성균관대학교) - SKKU. Rank: Country #5, World #933. Location: Seoul. Established: 1398. Private, comprehensive. Fields: Humanities to technology. Levels: Bachelor's–Doctoral.
6. Hanyang University (한양대학교) - HYU. Rank: Country #6, World #934. Location: Seoul. Established: 1939. Private, for-profit, research-intensive, comprehensive. Fields: Engineering emphasis. Levels: Bachelor's–Doctoral.
7. Pohang University of Science and Technology (포항공과대학교) - POSTECH. Rank: Country #7, World #1095. Location: Pohang, North Gyeongsang. Established: 1986. Private, non-profit, research-intensive, specialized. Fields: Science/technology. Levels: Bachelor's–Doctoral.
8. Kyungpook National University (경북대학교) - KNU. Rank: Country #8, World #1144. Location: Daegu. Established: 1946. Public, non-profit, comprehensive. Fields: Multidisciplinary. Levels: Bachelor's–Doctoral.
9. Ewha Womans University (이화여자대학교) - Rank: Country #9, World #1343. Location: Seoul. Established: 1886. Private, comprehensive. Fields: Liberal arts to STEM. Levels: Bachelor's–Doctoral.
10. Chung-Ang University (중앙대학교) - CAU. Rank: Country #10, World #1381. Location: Seoul. Established: 1918. Private, non-profit, comprehensive. Fields: Arts to sciences. Levels: Bachelor's–Doctoral.

Analysis of University Types

South Korea has 186 universities. Private institutions dominate at 143 (76.9% of total), while public universities comprise 43 (23.1%). This distribution reflects private sector investment in education and historical development patterns.

Global Ranking and Standing

Korean universities show strong global presence, with 6 institutions ranking among the world's top 1,000 (3.2% of total universities). Though none currently place in the top 200, their rapid advancement in research output and international collaborations signals growing competitiveness. For top-ranked universities globally, see the world top 200 list.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What are Korea's top universities for international students?
A: Seoul National, KAIST, Yonsei and Korea University attract the most international students due to English-taught programs and global recognition.

Q: Are public universities cheaper than private ones in Korea?
A: Yes, public institutions like Seoul National University typically have lower tuition. Annual private university fees average 30-50% higher than public counterparts.

Q: Do Korean universities teach in English?
A> Many top universities offer English-taught programs, particularly in STEM and business fields. Over 30% of graduate courses at leading schools are English-based.

Q: What makes Korean universities globally competitive?
A> Heavy investment in R&D (especially tech/engineering), industry partnerships (e.g., Samsung-POSTECH) and internationalization initiatives drive their global standing.

Q: How important are university rankings in Korean society?
A> Extremely significant. Graduates from SKY universities (Seoul National, Korea, Yonsei) traditionally dominate elite career paths, influencing education culture intensely.

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

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