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"

#339 in Europe

#875 in the World

Founded: 1888

2. Technical University - Sofia

#691 in Europe

#2093 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1945

3. Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski"

#819 in Europe

#2675 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1961

4. Medical University - Sofia

#834 in Europe

#2747 in the World

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

5. Medical University - Varna

#874 in Europe

#2927 in the World

Founded: 1961

6. New Bulgarian University

#879 in Europe

#2943 in the World

Founded: 1991

7. University of Ruse "Angel Kanchev"

#904 in Europe

#3057 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1945

8. University of National and World Economy

#979 in Europe

#3401 in the World

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

9. South-West University "Neofit Rilski"

#1058 in Europe

#3912 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Enrollment: 91
Founded: 1975

10. Medical University - Plovdiv

#1061 in Europe

#3921 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1945

11. University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy

#1117 in Europe

#4188 in the World

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

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

#1134 in Europe

#4301 in the World

Founded: 1963

13. American University in Bulgaria

#1135 in Europe

#4303 in the World

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

14. University of Forestry

#1177 in Europe

#4534 in the World

Founded: 1953

15. Technical University - Varna

#1191 in Europe

#4623 in the World

Founded: 1962

16. Trakia University

#1198 in Europe

#4695 in the World

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

17. University of Economics - Varna

#1217 in Europe

#4841 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1920

18. D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics

#1235 in Europe

#4926 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1936

19. Constantine of Preslav University of Shumen

#1256 in Europe

#5018 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 1971

20. Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar"

#1277 in Europe

#5136 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1991

21. Technical University - Gabrovo

#1278 in Europe

#5138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1964

22. National Military University "Vasil Levski"

#1309 in Europe

#5320 in the World

Founded: 1924

23. Medical University - Pleven

#1326 in Europe

#5391 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1974

24. University of Library Studies and Information Technologies

#1403 in Europe

#5778 in the World

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

25. Burgas Free University

#1408 in Europe

#5800 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1991

26. University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy

#1802 in Europe

#7970 in the World

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

27. Varna University of Management

#1847 in Europe

#8074 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1996

28. Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts

#1861 in Europe

#8120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1948

29. National Academy of Arts

#1870 in Europe

#8143 in the World

Founded: 1896

30. National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski"

#1905 in Europe

#8262 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1942

31. University of Mining and Geology St Ivan Rilski

#1933 in Europe

#8333 in the World

Founded: 1953

32. Agricultural University of Plovdiv

#1957 in Europe

#8401 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1945

33. National Academy of Music "Pancho Vladigerov"

#2017 in Europe

#8574 in the World

Founded: 1921

34. University Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov

#2076 in Europe

#8732 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1995

35. European Polytechnical University

#2120 in Europe

#8934 in the World

Founded: 2010

36. International Business School, Bulgaria

#2131 in Europe

#8986 in the World

Founded: 1991

37. Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts

#2175 in Europe

#9195 in the World

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

38. University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship

#2198 in Europe

#9262 in the World

Founded: 2002

39. University of Food Technologies

#2280 in Europe

#9652 in the World

Founded: 1953

40. University of Transport "Todor Kableshkov"

#2374 in Europe

#10100 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1922

41. MT&M College

#2488 in Europe

#10704 in the World

Founded: 1994

42. University of Agribusiness and Rural Development

#2524 in Europe

#11004 in the World

Founded: 1992

43. Higher School of Telecommunications and Post

#2556 in Europe

#11280 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1923

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

#2576 in Europe

#11468 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1973

45. University of Security and Economics

#2630 in Europe

#11935 in the World

Founded: 2003

46. European Higher School of Economics and Management

#2683 in Europe

#12383 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 2001

47. College of Tourism Blagoevgrad

#2708 in Europe

#12664 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 $515 + $60-425 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).