List of 47 best universities in Bulgaria

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Top 47 universities in Bulgaria ranked by EduRank based on research outputs, non-academic prominence, and alumni influence. The rankings are determined by analyzing 541K citations received by 65.9K academic publications made by 47 universities from Bulgaria, the popularity of 517 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"

#338 in Europe

#868 in the World

Founded: 1888

2. Technical University - Sofia

#685 in Europe

#2039 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1945

3. Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski"

#833 in Europe

#2720 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1961

4. New Bulgarian University

#862 in Europe

#2865 in the World

Founded: 1991

5. Medical University - Sofia

#873 in Europe

#2905 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Enrollment: 4,000
Founded: 1917

6. University of Ruse "Angel Kanchev"

#907 in Europe

#3080 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1945

7. Medical University - Varna

#911 in Europe

#3089 in the World

Founded: 1961

8. University of National and World Economy

#989 in Europe

#3465 in the World

Founded: 1920

9. Medical University - Plovdiv

#1109 in Europe

#4157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1945

10. South-West University "Neofit Rilski"

#1119 in Europe

#4217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Enrollment: 91
Founded: 1975

11. University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy

#1132 in Europe

#4306 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 5,000
Founded: 1942

12. St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo

#1141 in Europe

#4361 in the World

Founded: 1963

13. American University in Bulgaria

#1142 in Europe

#4362 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Enrollment: 1,020
Founded: 1991

14. Technical University - Varna

#1204 in Europe

#4756 in the World

Founded: 1962

15. University of Forestry

#1215 in Europe

#4804 in the World

Founded: 1953

16. Trakia University

#1221 in Europe

#4832 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Enrollment: 8,200
Founded: 1995

17. Constantine of Preslav University of Shumen

#1240 in Europe

#4956 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 1971

18. University of Economics - Varna

#1249 in Europe

#5030 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1920

19. Technical University - Gabrovo

#1324 in Europe

#5447 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1964

20. Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar"

#1363 in Europe

#5627 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1991

21. Medical University - Pleven

#1368 in Europe

#5637 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1974

22. University of Library Studies and Information Technologies

#1384 in Europe

#5701 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 1950

23. D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics

#1393 in Europe

#5730 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1936

24. National Military University "Vasil Levski"

#1431 in Europe

#6023 in the World

Founded: 1924

25. Burgas Free University

#1509 in Europe

#6564 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1991

26. University of Food Technologies

#1629 in Europe

#7377 in the World

Founded: 1953

27. Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts

#1792 in Europe

#7953 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1948

28. University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy

#1795 in Europe

#7960 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Enrollment: 4,000
Founded: 1953

29. National Academy of Arts

#1799 in Europe

#7973 in the World

Founded: 1896

30. Varna University of Management

#1859 in Europe

#8136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1996

31. University of Mining and Geology St Ivan Rilski

#1873 in Europe

#8174 in the World

Founded: 1953

32. National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski"

#1879 in Europe

#8196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1942

33. Agricultural University of Plovdiv

#2004 in Europe

#8522 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1945

34. National Academy of Music "Pancho Vladigerov"

#2018 in Europe

#8575 in the World

Founded: 1921

35. European Polytechnical University

#2151 in Europe

#9116 in the World

Founded: 2010

36. University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship

#2165 in Europe

#9165 in the World

Founded: 2002

37. Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts

#2215 in Europe

#9380 in the World

Founded: 1972

38. University of Transport "Todor Kableshkov"

#2363 in Europe

#10010 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1922

39. University Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov

#2364 in Europe

#10011 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1995

40. International Business School, Bulgaria

#2376 in Europe

#10075 in the World

Founded: 1991

41. MT&M College

#2460 in Europe

#10528 in the World

Founded: 1994

42. University of Agribusiness and Rural Development

#2521 in Europe

#10918 in the World

Founded: 1992

43. University of Structural Engineering and Architecture "Lyuben Karavelov"

#2577 in Europe

#11357 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1973

44. Higher School of Telecommunications and Post

#2590 in Europe

#11414 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1923

45. University of Security and Economics

#2618 in Europe

#11744 in the World

Founded: 2003

46. European Higher School of Economics and Management

#2684 in Europe

#12293 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 2001

47. College of Tourism Blagoevgrad

#2737 in Europe

#12961 in the World

Founded: 2003

The best cities to study in Bulgaria based on the number of universities and their ranks are Sofia, Plovdiv, Ruse, and Varna.

Average cost of living for students in Bulgaria is $433 + $47-339 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).