List of 47 best universities in Bulgaria

Updated: July 18, 2023

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 437K citations received by 53.3K academic publications made by 47 universities from Bulgaria, the popularity of 448 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"

#331 in Europe

#855 in the World

Founded: 1888

2. Technical University - Sofia

#649 in Europe

#1943 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1945

3. Medical University - Sofia

#812 in Europe

#2657 in the World

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

4. New Bulgarian University

#848 in Europe

#2814 in the World

Founded: 1991

5. Medical University - Varna

#877 in Europe

#2952 in the World

Founded: 1961

6. University of Ruse "Angel Kanchev"

#920 in Europe

#3126 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1945

7. University of National and World Economy

#971 in Europe

#3405 in the World

Founded: 1920

8. South-West University "Neofit Rilski"

#1063 in Europe

#3909 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Enrollment: 91
Founded: 1975

9. Medical University - Plovdiv

#1074 in Europe

#3957 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Founded: 1945

10. American University in Bulgaria

#1115 in Europe

#4211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Enrollment: 1,041
Founded: 1991

11. University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy

#1121 in Europe

#4247 in the World

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

12. University of Forestry

#1128 in Europe

#4292 in the World

Founded: 1953

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

#1162 in Europe

#4479 in the World

Founded: 1963

14. Technical University - Varna

#1216 in Europe

#4806 in the World

Founded: 1962

15. Trakia University

#1224 in Europe

#4842 in the World

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

16. Constantine of Preslav University of Shumen

#1231 in Europe

#4916 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 1971

17. University of Economics - Varna

#1259 in Europe

#5056 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1920

18. D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics

#1269 in Europe

#5117 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Founded: 1936

19. Plovdiv University "Paisii Hilendarski"

#1272 in Europe

#5126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1961

20. Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar"

#1314 in Europe

#5351 in the World

Enrollment: 10,000
Founded: 1991

21. Technical University - Gabrovo

#1330 in Europe

#5399 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1964

22. Medical University - Pleven

#1351 in Europe

#5497 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1974

23. University of Library Studies and Information Technologies

#1401 in Europe

#5759 in the World

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

24. National Military University "Vasil Levski"

#1448 in Europe

#6032 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1924

25. Burgas Free University

#1548 in Europe

#6623 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1991

26. International Business School, Bulgaria

#1742 in Europe

#7707 in the World

Founded: 1991

27. Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts

#1818 in Europe

#7940 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1948

28. University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy

#1820 in Europe

#7944 in the World

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

29. National Academy of Arts

#1839 in Europe

#8009 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Founded: 1896

30. Varna University of Management

#1855 in Europe

#8065 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1996

31. National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski"

#1898 in Europe

#8181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Founded: 1942

32. University of Mining and Geology St Ivan Rilski

#2009 in Europe

#8468 in the World

Founded: 1953

33. National Academy of Music "Pancho Vladigerov"

#2022 in Europe

#8510 in the World

Founded: 1921

34. Agricultural University of Plovdiv

#2029 in Europe

#8529 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Founded: 1945

35. University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship

#2125 in Europe

#8937 in the World

Founded: 2002

36. European Polytechnical University

#2157 in Europe

#9085 in the World

Founded: 2010

37. Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts

#2261 in Europe

#9509 in the World

Founded: 1972

38. University of Transport "Todor Kableshkov"

#2355 in Europe

#9921 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Founded: 1922

39. University Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov

#2356 in Europe

#9922 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Founded: 1995

40. University of Food Technologies

#2369 in Europe

#10014 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 1953

41. University of Agribusiness and Rural Development

#2508 in Europe

#10841 in the World

Founded: 1992

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

#2559 in Europe

#11169 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Founded: 1973

43. Higher School of Telecommunications and Post

#2599 in Europe

#11441 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Founded: 1923

44. MT&M College

#2640 in Europe

#11858 in the World

Founded: 1994

45. European Higher School of Economics and Management

#2650 in Europe

#11953 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Founded: 2001

46. University of Security and Economics

#2658 in Europe

#12026 in the World

Founded: 2003

47. College of Tourism Blagoevgrad

#2716 in Europe

#12590 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Founded: 2003

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

Average cost of living for students in Bulgaria is $444 + $48-342 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).