What are the most popular Universities and Colleges in Yemen? uniRank answers this question by publishing the 2025 Yemeni University Ranking of 45 Yemeni higher-education institutions meeting the following uniRank selection criteria:
Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 45 Universities in Yemen
The Republic of Yemen is divided into 21 governorates (Arabic: muhafazah) and 1 municipality (Arabic: amanah). The majority of higher education institutions meeting the uniRank selection criteria are located in the governorate of Sana'a, which hosts the capital and largest city, Sanaa. The following uniRank league tables and sub-rankings take into account all governorates that include at least one Yemeni higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.
Aden (3)
Al Bayda (1)
Al Hudaydah (3)
Amran (1)
Dhamar (1)
Hadhramaut (4)
Hajjah (1)
Ibb (2)
Sanaa (26)
Taiz (3)
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Yemen's higher education system includes public and private universities established primarily since the 1970s. Public universities receive government funding while private institutions operate independently, often with religious or specialized focuses. Higher education institutions offer programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, though detailed field information is limited. Ongoing conflict has severely disrupted academic activities and research output across the country. Key characteristics include concentration in major cities like Sana'a and Aden, diverse ownership models and challenges in maintaining international academic standards.
Yemen's 45 universities show a predominance of private institutions: 35 private (77.8%) versus 10 public (22.2%). This distribution reflects significant growth in private higher education since the 1990s, particularly in major urban centers like Sana'a where 70% of top universities operate.
No Yemeni universities currently rank in the global top 200 universities (0% of national institutions). Similarly, none appear in the top 1,000 worldwide (0%). These metrics indicate challenges in international competitiveness and research output amid Yemen's ongoing humanitarian crisis.
What is the oldest university in Yemen?
Sana'a University (1970) and University of Aden (1975) are Yemen's oldest degree-granting institutions.
Where are most universities located in Yemen?
Sana'a hosts half of Yemen's top 10 universities, making it the country's primary academic hub.
Are Yemeni degrees internationally recognized?
Degrees from accredited public universities are generally recognized, though verification difficulties exist due to current instability.
What percentage of Yemeni universities are private?
77.8% (35 of 45) are private institutions, reflecting privatization trends since the 1990s.
Do any Yemeni universities rank globally?
No universities currently rank within the top 1,000 worldwide according to major ranking systems.
Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Yemeni universities and their online presence.