Universities in Saudi Arabia ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 64 Universities in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is divided into 13 regions (Arabic: manatiq idariyya), which are further subdivided into governorates (Arabic: muhafazat) and regional capitals. The majority of higher education institutions meeting the uniRank selection criteria are located in the Riyadh region, which hosts Riyadh, the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. The following uniRank sub-rankings and league tables consider all regions that include at least one Saudi Arabian higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

Al Bahah (1)  
Al Jawf (1)  
Al Madinah (4)  
Al-Bahah (1)  
Al-Kharj (1)  
Al-Qassim (5)  
Ash Sharqiyah (1)  
Asir (3)  
Eastern Province (10)  
Hail (1)  
Jizan (1)  
Makkah (14)  
Najran (1)  
Northern Borders (2)  
Riyadh (16)  
Tabuk (2)  

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Overview of Saudi Arabia Universities

Saudi Arabia's higher education system features 64 universities offering diverse academic programs. The sector includes 28 public universities (44%) funded by the government and 36 private institutions (56%). Universities range from comprehensive research institutions to specialized universities focusing on fields like petroleum engineering, Islamic studies and technology. Key characteristics include rapid modernization since 2000, significant research investments and gender-segregated campuses. Programs span undergraduate to doctoral levels, with STEM fields and Islamic studies being particularly prominent. Saudi universities increasingly emphasize international collaborations and global accreditation.

Top 10 Saudi Arabia Universities

1. King Saud University (جامعة الملك سعود) - KSU | Riyadh, Riyadh | Est. 1957 | Public | Research | Comprehensive | Fields: All major disciplines | Levels: Bachelor to PhD
   Country Rank: 1 | World Rank: 152
2. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (جامعة الملك عبد الله للعلوم والتقنية) - KAUST | Thuwal, Makkah | Est. 2009 | Private | Research | Specialized (Science/Technology) | Fields: Engineering, Marine Science, Materials Science | Levels: Master to PhD
   Country Rank: 2 | World Rank: 972
3. King AbdulAziz University (جامعة الملك عبد العزيز) - KAU | Jeddah, Makkah | Est. 1967 | Public | Research | Comprehensive | Fields: Medicine, Engineering, Humanities | Levels: Bachelor to PhD
   Country Rank: 3 | World Rank: 1061
4. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (جامعة الملك فهد للبترول والمعادن) - KFUPM | Dhahran, Ash Sharqiyah | Est. 1963 | Public | Research | Specialized | Fields: Petroleum Engineering, Geosciences, Business | Levels: Bachelor to PhD
   Country Rank: 4 | World Rank: 1236
5. Umm Al-Qura University (جامعة أم القرى) - UQU | Makkah, Makkah | Est. 1981 | Public | Research | Comprehensive | Fields: Islamic Studies, Engineering, Medicine | Levels: Bachelor to PhD
   Country Rank: 5 | World Rank: 1628
6. Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (جامعة الإمام محمد بن سعود الإسلامية) - IMAMU | Riyadh, Riyadh | Est. 1974 | Public | Research | Specialized | Fields: Sharia, Islamic Law, Arabic Studies | Levels: Bachelor to PhD
   Country Rank: 6 | World Rank: 2065
7. King Faisal University (جامعة الملك فيصل) - KFU | Al-Ahsa, Eastern Province | Est. 1975 | Public | Research | Comprehensive | Fields: Agricultural Sciences, Medicine, Architecture | Levels: Bachelor to PhD
   Country Rank: 7 | World Rank: 2309
8. Qassim University (جامعة القصيم) - QU | Qassim, Al-Qassim | Est. 2004 | Public | Research | Comprehensive | Fields: Health Sciences, Engineering, Business | Levels: Bachelor to PhD
   Country Rank: 8 | World Rank: 2430
9. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (جامعة الإمام عبدالرحمن بن فيصل) - IAU | Dammam, Eastern Province | Est. 1975 | Public | Research | Comprehensive | Fields: Environmental Design, Medical Sciences | Levels: Bachelor to PhD
   Country Rank: 9 | World Rank: 2978
10. Islamic University of Madinah (الجامعة الإسلامية بالمدينة المنورة) - IU | Medina, Al Madinah | Est. 1961 | Public | Research | Specialized | Fields: Quranic Studies, Hadith, Islamic Dawah | Levels: Bachelor to PhD
    Country Rank: 10 | World Rank: 3016

Analysis of University Types

Saudi Arabia hosts 64 universities nationwide. Public institutions dominate the sector with 28 universities (44% of all institutions), while private universities comprise 36 institutions (56%). This distribution reflects significant private sector participation in higher education, particularly in specialized fields like technology and business.

Global Ranking and Standing

Saudi Arabia demonstrates growing global academic influence, with 1 university ranking in the world's top 200 (representing 1.6% of Saudi institutions) and 2 universities in the top 1,000 globally (3.1% of universities). These top-ranked Saudi Arabia universities compete internationally, particularly in engineering, technology and Islamic studies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the oldest university in Saudi Arabia?
King Saud University (1957) is the oldest public university, while the Islamic University of Madinah (1961) is the oldest specialized institution.

Are there English-taught programs in Saudi universities?
Yes, many universities (especially KAUST, KFUPM and medical schools) offer English-medium programs, particularly in STEM fields.

Do Saudi universities accept international students?
Yes, most universities welcome international students, with specialized institutions like Islamic University of Madinah and KAUST having significant international enrollment.

What are the admission requirements for Saudi universities?
Requirements typically include secondary school certificates, proficiency in Arabic (or English for specific programs), entrance exams and health reports. Specifics vary by institution and program.

How are women's educational opportunities structured?
Most public universities have parallel women's campuses with identical curricula. Private institutions like KAUST feature coeducational environments.

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

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