100 Best universities for Optical Engineering in South Korea

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in South Korea ranked based on their research performance in Optical Engineering. A graph of 8.51M citations received by 361K academic papers made by 130 universities in South Korea was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Seoul National University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#17 in Asia

#58 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 28,378
Founded: 1946

2. KAIST

South Korea | Daejeon

For Optical Engineering

#26 in Asia

#81 in the World

Enrollment: 10,249
Founded: 1971

3. Yonsei University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#42 in Asia

#128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Enrollment: 29,502
Founded: 1957

4. Pohang University of Science and Technology

South Korea | Pohang

For Optical Engineering

#61 in Asia

#193 in the World

Enrollment: 3,425
Founded: 1986

5. Korea University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#63 in Asia

#196 in the World

Enrollment: 24,351
Founded: 1905

6. Sungkyunkwan University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#68 in Asia

#221 in the World

Founded: 1398

7. Hanyang University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#71 in Asia

#233 in the World

Enrollment: 35,000
Founded: 1939

8. Kyung Hee University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#110 in Asia

#394 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Enrollment: 35,826
Founded: 1949

9. Pusan National University

South Korea | Busan

For Optical Engineering

#112 in Asia

#406 in the World

Enrollment: 27,780
Founded: 1946

10. Kyungpook National University

South Korea | Daegu

For Optical Engineering

#118 in Asia

#426 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 38,616
Founded: 1946

11. Inha University

South Korea | Incheon

For Optical Engineering

#140 in Asia

#487 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Enrollment: 20,613
Founded: 1954

12. Chonbuk National University

South Korea | Jeonju

For Optical Engineering

#143 in Asia

#492 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 32,300
Founded: 1947

13. University of Ulsan

South Korea | Ulsan

For Optical Engineering

#157 in Asia

#529 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1970

14. Ewha Womans University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#181 in Asia

#598 in the World

Enrollment: 24,680
Founded: 1886

15. Chungnam National University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Optical Engineering

#191 in Asia

#622 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 30,000
Founded: 1952

16. Chonnam National University

South Korea | Gwangju

For Optical Engineering

#192 in Asia

#631 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 33,195
Founded: 1909

17. Chung-Ang University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#198 in Asia

#646 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 28,221
Founded: 1918

18. Yeungnam University

South Korea | Gyeongsan

For Optical Engineering

#210 in Asia

#669 in the World

Enrollment: 21,000
Founded: 1947

19. Ajou University

South Korea | Suwon

For Optical Engineering

#212 in Asia

#671 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 1973

20. Catholic University of Korea

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#221 in Asia

#702 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 14,297
Founded: 1855

21. Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology

South Korea | Eonyang

For Optical Engineering

#245 in Asia

#775 in the World

Enrollment: 4,255
Founded: 2009

22. Pukyong National University

South Korea | Busan

For Optical Engineering

#267 in Asia

#823 in the World

Enrollment: 28,100
Founded: 1924

23. Sejong University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#270 in Asia

#831 in the World

Enrollment: 13,350
Founded: 1940

24. Sogang University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#271 in Asia

#834 in the World

Enrollment: 9,227
Male:Female: 55:45
Founded: 1960

25. Konkuk University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#279 in Asia

#856 in the World

Enrollment: 21,620
Founded: 1946

26. Chungbuk National University

South Korea | Cheongju

For Optical Engineering

#281 in Asia

#861 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 24,300
Founded: 1951

27. Dankook University

South Korea | Yongin

For Optical Engineering

#307 in Asia

#903 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Enrollment: 28,654
Founded: 1947

28. Gyeongsang National University

South Korea | Jinju

For Optical Engineering

#310 in Asia

#913 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1948

29. Dongguk University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#317 in Asia

#927 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 28,204
Founded: 1906

30. Kwangwoon University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#323 in Asia

#940 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 9,807
Founded: 1934

31. Kangwon National University

South Korea | Chuncheon

For Optical Engineering

#390 in Asia

#1089 in the World

Enrollment: 38,064
Founded: 1947

32. Hongik University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#391 in Asia

#1090 in the World

Founded: 1946

33. Kookmin University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#412 in Asia

#1120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Enrollment: 24,000
Founded: 1946

34. University of Science and Technology Korea

South Korea | Daejeon

For Optical Engineering

#415 in Asia

#1126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 1,292
Founded: 2003

35. Chosun University

South Korea | Gwangju

For Optical Engineering

#436 in Asia

#1160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 23,000
Founded: 1946

36. Seoul National University of Science and Technology

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#437 in Asia

#1162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1910

37. Gachon University

South Korea | Seongnam

For Optical Engineering

#458 in Asia

#1200 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 18,995
Founded: 1982

38. Soongsil University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#471 in Asia

#1222 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Enrollment: 16,000
Founded: 1897

39. University of Seoul

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#510 in Asia

#1302 in the World

Enrollment: 15,967
Founded: 1918

40. Soonchunhyang University

South Korea | Asan

For Optical Engineering

#539 in Asia

#1367 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 10,619
Founded: 1978

41. Changwon National University

South Korea | Changwon

For Optical Engineering

#562 in Asia

#1403 in the World

Enrollment: 9,320
Founded: 1969

42. Kongju National University

South Korea | Gongju

For Optical Engineering

#567 in Asia

#1409 in the World

Enrollment: 22,000
Founded: 1948

43. University of Incheon

South Korea | Incheon

For Optical Engineering

#578 in Asia

#1427 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 13,822
Founded: 1988

44. Hallym University

South Korea | Chuncheon

For Optical Engineering

#610 in Asia

#1497 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 8,747
Founded: 1982

45. Inje University

South Korea | Gimhae

For Optical Engineering

#612 in Asia

#1499 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 15,641
Founded: 1979

46. Jeju National University

South Korea | Jeju

For Optical Engineering

#640 in Asia

#1553 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Enrollment: 12,200
Founded: 1952

47. Dong-A University

South Korea | Busan

For Optical Engineering

#649 in Asia

#1570 in the World

Enrollment: 21,519
Male:Female: 51:49
Founded: 1946

48. Myongji University

South Korea | Yongin

For Optical Engineering

#678 in Asia

#1620 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1948

49. Kumoh National University of Technology

South Korea | Gumi

For Optical Engineering

#682 in Asia

#1626 in the World

Enrollment: 10,463
Founded: 1980

50. Kyonggi University

South Korea | Suwon

For Optical Engineering

#697 in Asia

#1648 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 16,400
Founded: 1947

51. Keimyung University

South Korea | Daegu

For Optical Engineering

#727 in Asia

#1701 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 22,700
Founded: 1954

52. Anyang University - South Korea

South Korea | Anyang

For Optical Engineering

#780 in Asia

#1814 in the World

Enrollment: 7,540
Founded: 1948

53. Hanbat National University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Optical Engineering

#789 in Asia

#1835 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 14,290
Founded: 1927

54. Korea Maritime and Ocean University

South Korea | Busan

For Optical Engineering

#835 in Asia

#1925 in the World

Enrollment: 8,831
Male:Female: 78:22
Founded: 1945

55. Sunchon National University

South Korea | Suncheon

For Optical Engineering

#848 in Asia

#1948 in the World

Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1935

56. Wonkwang University

South Korea | Iksan

For Optical Engineering

#857 in Asia

#1962 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 25,360
Founded: 1946

57. Konyang University

South Korea | Nonsan

For Optical Engineering

#858 in Asia

#1964 in the World

Enrollment: 8,210
Founded: 1991

58. Korea Aerospace University

South Korea | Goyang

For Optical Engineering

#864 in Asia

#1973 in the World

Enrollment: 6,465
Founded: 1952

59. Catholic University of Daegu

South Korea | Gyeongsan

For Optical Engineering

#875 in Asia

#1992 in the World

Enrollment: 17,000
Founded: 1914

60. Hannam University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Optical Engineering

#904 in Asia

#2045 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 17,000
Founded: 1956

61. Sun Moon University

South Korea | Asan

For Optical Engineering

#912 in Asia

#2059 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Enrollment: 10,058
Founded: 1989

62. Korea National University of Transportation

South Korea | Chungju

For Optical Engineering

#923 in Asia

#2075 in the World

Enrollment: 13,400
Founded: 1962

63. Dong-Eui University

South Korea | Busan

For Optical Engineering

#939 in Asia

#2101 in the World

Enrollment: 24,200
Founded: 1976

64. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#942 in Asia

#2108 in the World

Enrollment: 21,240
Founded: 1954

65. Kunsan National University

South Korea | Gunsan

For Optical Engineering

#1012 in Asia

#2236 in the World

Enrollment: 7,715
Founded: 1979

66. Daegu University

South Korea | Gyeongsan

For Optical Engineering

#1026 in Asia

#2269 in the World

Enrollment: 19,593
Founded: 1956

67. Daejeon University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Optical Engineering

#1066 in Asia

#2364 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1980

68. Hoseo University

South Korea | Asan

For Optical Engineering

#1086 in Asia

#2397 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 14,500
Founded: 1978

69. Korea Polytechnic University

South Korea | Siheung

For Optical Engineering

#1091 in Asia

#2408 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 7,896
Founded: 1998

70. Sookmyung Women's University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#1105 in Asia

#2427 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Enrollment: 12,869
Founded: 1948

71. Hanseo University

South Korea | Seosan

For Optical Engineering

#1123 in Asia

#2471 in the World

Enrollment: 8,500
Founded: 1992

72. Yong-In University

South Korea | Yongin

For Optical Engineering

#1124 in Asia

#2473 in the World

Enrollment: 7,160
Founded: 1953

73. Mokpo National University

South Korea | Muan

For Optical Engineering

#1139 in Asia

#2501 in the World

Enrollment: 12,942
Founded: 1946

74. Korea University of Technology and Education

South Korea | Cheonan

For Optical Engineering

#1143 in Asia

#2505 in the World

Founded: 1991

75. Gangneung-Wonju National University

South Korea | Gangneung

For Optical Engineering

#1179 in Asia

#2575 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 8,700
Founded: 1946

76. Sangmyung University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#1192 in Asia

#2594 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 6,604
Founded: 1937

77. Eulji University

South Korea | Seongnam

For Optical Engineering

#1195 in Asia

#2608 in the World

Enrollment: 5,700
Founded: 1967

78. Andong National University

South Korea | Andong

For Optical Engineering

#1214 in Asia

#2652 in the World

Enrollment: 11,600
Founded: 1947

79. Jeonju University

South Korea | Jeonju

For Optical Engineering

#1256 in Asia

#2746 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1964

80. Kyungnam University

South Korea | Masan

For Optical Engineering

#1260 in Asia

#2753 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1946

81. Catholic Kwandong University

South Korea | Gangneung

For Optical Engineering

#1315 in Asia

#2857 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Enrollment: 9,993
Founded: 1954

82. University of Suwon

South Korea | Hwaseong

For Optical Engineering

#1316 in Asia

#2859 in the World

Enrollment: 12,415
Founded: 1977

83. Hankyong National University

South Korea | Anseong

For Optical Engineering

#1337 in Asia

#2900 in the World

Enrollment: 6,830
Founded: 1939

84. Kosin University

South Korea | Busan

For Optical Engineering

#1348 in Asia

#2928 in the World

Founded: 1946

85. Pai Chai University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Optical Engineering

#1352 in Asia

#2937 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 13,000
Founded: 1885

86. Seoul National University of Education

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#1362 in Asia

#2955 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 3,420
Founded: 1946

87. Kyungsung University

South Korea | Busan

For Optical Engineering

#1409 in Asia

#3043 in the World

Enrollment: 13,000
Founded: 1955

88. Cheongju University

South Korea | Cheongju

For Optical Engineering

#1416 in Asia

#3060 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1946

89. Dongseo University

South Korea | Busan

For Optical Engineering

#1470 in Asia

#3178 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Enrollment: 9,336
Founded: 1992

90. Seoul Women's University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#1478 in Asia

#3196 in the World

Enrollment: 8,000
Founded: 1961

91. Daejin University

South Korea | Pocheon

For Optical Engineering

#1534 in Asia

#3313 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1992

92. Gwangju University

South Korea | Gwangju

For Optical Engineering

#1592 in Asia

#3428 in the World

Enrollment: 9,930
Founded: 1980

93. Dongshin University

South Korea | Naju

For Optical Engineering

#1609 in Asia

#3469 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 1987

94. Woosuk University

South Korea | Wanju-gun

For Optical Engineering

#1611 in Asia

#3471 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 11,500
Founded: 1979

95. Luther University

South Korea | Yongin

For Optical Engineering

#1621 in Asia

#3492 in the World

Enrollment: 490
Founded: 1966

96. Kangnam University

South Korea | Yongin

For Optical Engineering

#1644 in Asia

#3543 in the World

Enrollment: 9,870
Founded: 1946

97. Korea National University of Education

South Korea | Cheongju

For Optical Engineering

#1659 in Asia

#3575 in the World

Enrollment: 6,530
Founded: 1984

98. Mokpo National Maritime University

South Korea | Mokpo

For Optical Engineering

#1696 in Asia

#3664 in the World

Enrollment: 743
Male:Female: 84:16
Founded: 1950

99. Sahmyook University

South Korea | Seoul

For Optical Engineering

#1760 in Asia

#3806 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 5,900
Founded: 1906

100. Honam University

South Korea | Gwangju

For Optical Engineering

#1764 in Asia

#3818 in the World

Enrollment: 8,530
Founded: 1978

The best cities to study Optical Engineering in South Korea based on the number of universities and their ranks are Seoul, Daejeon, Pohang, and Busan.