List of 47 best universities in Bulgaria

Updated: March 15, 2026

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 980K citations received by 90.5K academic publications made by 47 universities from Bulgaria, the popularity of 612 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"

#344 in Europe

#839 in the World

Founded: 1888

2. Technical University - Sofia

#686 in Europe

#1946 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1945

3. Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski"

#793 in Europe

#2425 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1961

4. Medical University - Varna

#816 in Europe

#2512 in the World

Founded: 1961

5. Medical University - Sofia

#836 in Europe

#2627 in the World

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

6. New Bulgarian University

#866 in Europe

#2755 in the World

Founded: 1991

7. University of National and World Economy

#902 in Europe

#2932 in the World

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

8. University of Ruse "Angel Kanchev"

#932 in Europe

#3072 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1945

9. South-West University "Neofit Rilski"

#991 in Europe

#3381 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Enrollment: 91
Founded: 1975

10. Medical University - Plovdiv

#1058 in Europe

#3791 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1945

11. Technical University - Varna

#1114 in Europe

#4078 in the World

Founded: 1962

12. University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy

#1117 in Europe

#4099 in the World

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

13. University of Forestry

#1122 in Europe

#4141 in the World

Founded: 1953

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

#1133 in Europe

#4199 in the World

Founded: 1963

15. American University in Bulgaria

#1141 in Europe

#4232 in the World

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

16. Trakia University

#1223 in Europe

#4749 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Enrollment: 9,000
Founded: 1995

17. University of Economics - Varna

#1232 in Europe

#4785 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1920

18. Constantine of Preslav University of Shumen

#1237 in Europe

#4818 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 1971

19. Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar"

#1252 in Europe

#4903 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1991

20. Medical University - Pleven

#1281 in Europe

#5047 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1974

21. Technical University - Gabrovo

#1304 in Europe

#5159 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1964

22. University of Library Studies and Information Technologies

#1325 in Europe

#5323 in the World

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

23. Burgas Free University

#1370 in Europe

#5604 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1991

24. National Military University "Vasil Levski"

#1391 in Europe

#5712 in the World

Founded: 1924

25. Agricultural University of Plovdiv

#1466 in Europe

#6187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1945

26. Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts

#1633 in Europe

#7209 in the World

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

27. Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts

#1680 in Europe

#7402 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1948

28. Varna University of Management

#1801 in Europe

#7835 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1996

29. D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics

#1832 in Europe

#7921 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1936

30. National Academy of Arts

#1856 in Europe

#7989 in the World

Founded: 1896

31. National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski"

#1858 in Europe

#8000 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1942

32. University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy

#1905 in Europe

#8157 in the World

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

33. University of Mining and Geology St Ivan Rilski

#1991 in Europe

#8400 in the World

Founded: 1953

34. National Academy of Music "Pancho Vladigerov"

#2012 in Europe

#8465 in the World

Founded: 1921

35. University Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov

#2076 in Europe

#8670 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1995

36. European Polytechnical University

#2105 in Europe

#8838 in the World

Founded: 2010

37. International Business School, Bulgaria

#2137 in Europe

#8936 in the World

Founded: 1991

38. MT&M College

#2211 in Europe

#9233 in the World

Founded: 1994

39. University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship

#2262 in Europe

#9457 in the World

Founded: 2002

40. University of Food Technologies

#2285 in Europe

#9543 in the World

Founded: 1953

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

#2366 in Europe

#9936 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1973

42. University of Transport "Todor Kableshkov"

#2379 in Europe

#10022 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1922

43. Higher School of Telecommunications and Post

#2430 in Europe

#10355 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1923

44. University of Agribusiness and Rural Development

#2487 in Europe

#10711 in the World

Founded: 1992

45. University of Security and Economics

#2488 in Europe

#10716 in the World

Founded: 2003

46. College of Tourism Blagoevgrad

#2700 in Europe

#12633 in the World

Founded: 2003

47. European Higher School of Economics and Management

#2701 in Europe

#12637 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 2001

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 $534 + $68-485 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).