List of 47 best universities in Bulgaria

Updated: March 02, 2025

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 902K citations received by 86.6K academic publications made by 47 universities from Bulgaria, the popularity of 569 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"

#320 in Europe

#811 in the World

Founded: 1888

2. Technical University - Sofia

#675 in Europe

#2037 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1945

3. Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski"

#829 in Europe

#2706 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1961

4. Medical University - Sofia

#862 in Europe

#2865 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Enrollment: 10,460
Male:Female: 48:52
Founded: 1917

5. New Bulgarian University

#870 in Europe

#2893 in the World

Founded: 1991

6. Medical University - Varna

#884 in Europe

#2959 in the World

Founded: 1961

7. University of Ruse "Angel Kanchev"

#892 in Europe

#3001 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1945

8. University of National and World Economy

#969 in Europe

#3316 in the World

Enrollment: 21,534
Male:Female: 43:57
Founded: 1920

9. South-West University "Neofit Rilski"

#1097 in Europe

#4097 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Enrollment: 91
Founded: 1975

10. Medical University - Plovdiv

#1102 in Europe

#4112 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1945

11. University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy

#1117 in Europe

#4191 in the World

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

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

#1119 in Europe

#4222 in the World

Founded: 1963

13. American University in Bulgaria

#1153 in Europe

#4404 in the World

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

14. Trakia University

#1213 in Europe

#4787 in the World

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

15. University of Forestry

#1214 in Europe

#4795 in the World

Founded: 1953

16. Technical University - Varna

#1215 in Europe

#4798 in the World

Founded: 1962

17. University of Economics - Varna

#1221 in Europe

#4848 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1920

18. Constantine of Preslav University of Shumen

#1235 in Europe

#4928 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 1971

19. Technical University - Gabrovo

#1333 in Europe

#5477 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1964

20. Medical University - Pleven

#1364 in Europe

#5619 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1974

21. Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar"

#1366 in Europe

#5622 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1991

22. University of Library Studies and Information Technologies

#1380 in Europe

#5686 in the World

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

23. National Military University "Vasil Levski"

#1397 in Europe

#5797 in the World

Founded: 1924

24. D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics

#1417 in Europe

#5904 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1936

25. Burgas Free University

#1441 in Europe

#6082 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1991

26. University of Food Technologies

#1642 in Europe

#7450 in the World

Founded: 1953

27. Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts

#1798 in Europe

#7986 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1948

28. University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy

#1801 in Europe

#7990 in the World

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

29. National Academy of Arts

#1808 in Europe

#8010 in the World

Founded: 1896

30. Varna University of Management

#1873 in Europe

#8193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1996

31. University of Mining and Geology St Ivan Rilski

#1883 in Europe

#8209 in the World

Founded: 1953

32. National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski"

#1889 in Europe

#8228 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1942

33. Agricultural University of Plovdiv

#2012 in Europe

#8559 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1945

34. National Academy of Music "Pancho Vladigerov"

#2026 in Europe

#8616 in the World

Founded: 1921

35. International Business School, Bulgaria

#2112 in Europe

#8901 in the World

Founded: 1991

36. European Polytechnical University

#2142 in Europe

#9009 in the World

Founded: 2010

37. University Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov

#2161 in Europe

#9141 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1995

38. University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship

#2176 in Europe

#9202 in the World

Founded: 2002

39. Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts

#2223 in Europe

#9412 in the World

Enrollment: 896
Male:Female: 39:61
Founded: 1972

40. University of Transport "Todor Kableshkov"

#2369 in Europe

#10036 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1922

41. MT&M College

#2461 in Europe

#10552 in the World

Founded: 1994

42. University of Agribusiness and Rural Development

#2523 in Europe

#10935 in the World

Founded: 1992

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

#2580 in Europe

#11373 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1973

44. Higher School of Telecommunications and Post

#2593 in Europe

#11432 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1923

45. University of Security and Economics

#2619 in Europe

#11760 in the World

Founded: 2003

46. European Higher School of Economics and Management

#2683 in Europe

#12301 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 2001

47. College of Tourism Blagoevgrad

#2737 in Europe

#12966 in the World

Founded: 2003

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

Average cost of living for students in Bulgaria is $465 + $53-376 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).