List of 100 best universities in South Korea

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Top 100 universities in South Korea ranked by EduRank based on research outputs, non-academic prominence, and alumni influence. The rankings are determined by analyzing 47.5M citations received by 2.23M academic publications made by 193 universities from South Korea, the popularity of 2,408 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

1. Seoul National University

#15 in Asia

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 28,378
Founded: 1946

2. Yonsei University

#36 in Asia

#296 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Enrollment: 29,502
Founded: 1957

3. KAIST

#52 in Asia

#393 in the World

Enrollment: 10,249
Founded: 1971

4. Sungkyunkwan University

#54 in Asia

#403 in the World

Founded: 1398

5. Korea University

#57 in Asia

#410 in the World

Enrollment: 24,351
Founded: 1905

6. Hanyang University

#76 in Asia

#489 in the World

Enrollment: 35,000
Founded: 1939

7. Kyung Hee University

#104 in Asia

#607 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Enrollment: 35,826
Founded: 1949

8. Pohang University of Science and Technology

#133 in Asia

#716 in the World

Enrollment: 3,425
Founded: 1986

9. Kyungpook National University

#145 in Asia

#751 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 38,616
Founded: 1946

10. Ewha Womans University

#160 in Asia

#787 in the World

Enrollment: 24,680
Founded: 1886

11. Pusan National University

#162 in Asia

#793 in the World

Enrollment: 27,780
Founded: 1946

12. Chung-Ang University

#167 in Asia

#807 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 28,221
Founded: 1918

13. Konkuk University

#221 in Asia

#982 in the World

Enrollment: 21,620
Founded: 1946

14. Inha University

#222 in Asia

#983 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Enrollment: 20,613
Founded: 1954

15. Chungnam National University

#269 in Asia

#1093 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 30,000
Founded: 1952

16. Dongguk University

#292 in Asia

#1162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 28,204
Founded: 1906

17. Sejong University

#293 in Asia

#1164 in the World

Enrollment: 13,350
Founded: 1940

18. Dankook University

#314 in Asia

#1212 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Enrollment: 28,654
Founded: 1947

19. Ajou University

#318 in Asia

#1220 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Enrollment: 14,328
Founded: 1973

20. Chonnam National University

#320 in Asia

#1223 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 33,195
Founded: 1909

21. Kangwon National University

#327 in Asia

#1241 in the World

Enrollment: 38,064
Founded: 1947

22. Yeungnam University

#347 in Asia

#1309 in the World

Enrollment: 21,000
Founded: 1947

23. Sogang University

#356 in Asia

#1322 in the World

Enrollment: 9,227
Male:Female: 55:45
Founded: 1960

24. Pukyong National University

#430 in Asia

#1524 in the World

Enrollment: 28,100
Founded: 1924

25. Catholic University of Korea

#448 in Asia

#1567 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 14,297
Founded: 1855

26. University of Ulsan

#449 in Asia

#1568 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1970

27. Soongsil University

#457 in Asia

#1592 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Enrollment: 16,000
Founded: 1897

28. Chungbuk National University

#469 in Asia

#1629 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 24,300
Founded: 1951

29. Gyeongsang National University

#472 in Asia

#1637 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1948

30. Kookmin University

#483 in Asia

#1675 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Enrollment: 24,000
Founded: 1946

31. Keimyung University

#500 in Asia

#1728 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 22,700
Founded: 1954

32. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

#542 in Asia

#1832 in the World

Enrollment: 21,240
Founded: 1954

33. University of Seoul

#560 in Asia

#1883 in the World

Enrollment: 15,967
Founded: 1918

34. Hongik University

#593 in Asia

#1961 in the World

Founded: 1946

35. Dong-A University

#604 in Asia

#1996 in the World

Enrollment: 21,519
Male:Female: 51:49
Founded: 1946

36. Chosun University

#612 in Asia

#2009 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 23,000
Founded: 1946

37. Hallym University

#684 in Asia

#2232 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 8,747
Founded: 1982

38. Sookmyung Women's University

#687 in Asia

#2240 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Enrollment: 12,869
Founded: 1948

39. Chonbuk National University

#705 in Asia

#2288 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 32,300
Founded: 1947

40. Gachon University

#707 in Asia

#2294 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 18,995
Founded: 1982

41. Wonkwang University

#725 in Asia

#2333 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 25,360
Founded: 1946

42. Soonchunhyang University

#745 in Asia

#2381 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 10,619
Founded: 1978

43. Jeju National University

#746 in Asia

#2382 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Enrollment: 12,200
Founded: 1952

44. Kwangwoon University

#757 in Asia

#2416 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 9,807
Founded: 1934

45. Seoul National University of Science and Technology

#785 in Asia

#2487 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1910

46. Myongji University

#789 in Asia

#2495 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1948

47. Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology

#798 in Asia

#2524 in the World

Enrollment: 4,255
Founded: 2009

48. Inje University

#849 in Asia

#2678 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 15,641
Founded: 1979

49. Kongju National University

#851 in Asia

#2684 in the World

Enrollment: 22,000
Founded: 1948

50. Kyonggi University

#855 in Asia

#2708 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 16,400
Founded: 1947

51. University of Science and Technology Korea

#954 in Asia

#2974 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 1,292
Founded: 2003

52. Sangmyung University

#967 in Asia

#3015 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 6,604
Founded: 1937

53. Sungshin University

#1044 in Asia

#3202 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 13,000
Founded: 1936

54. Daegu University

#1063 in Asia

#3249 in the World

Enrollment: 19,593
Founded: 1956

55. Changwon National University

#1075 in Asia

#3275 in the World

Enrollment: 9,320
Founded: 1969

56. Catholic University of Daegu

#1101 in Asia

#3372 in the World

Enrollment: 17,000
Founded: 1914

57. Hoseo University

#1120 in Asia

#3410 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 14,500
Founded: 1978

58. Kyungnam University

#1126 in Asia

#3418 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1946

59. Hannam University

#1129 in Asia

#3432 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 17,000
Founded: 1956

60. Kunsan National University

#1159 in Asia

#3510 in the World

Enrollment: 7,715
Founded: 1979

61. Dong-Eui University

#1216 in Asia

#3638 in the World

Enrollment: 24,200
Founded: 1976

62. Kyungsung University

#1233 in Asia

#3693 in the World

Enrollment: 13,000
Founded: 1955

63. Sun Moon University

#1242 in Asia

#3713 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Enrollment: 10,058
Founded: 1989

64. Dongseo University

#1256 in Asia

#3746 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Enrollment: 9,336
Founded: 1992

65. Hanbat National University

#1274 in Asia

#3799 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 14,290
Founded: 1927

66. Korea University of Technology and Education

#1276 in Asia

#3812 in the World

Founded: 1991

67. Sahmyook University

#1293 in Asia

#3844 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 5,900
Founded: 1906

68. Mokpo National University

#1303 in Asia

#3866 in the World

Enrollment: 12,942
Founded: 1946

69. Konyang University

#1307 in Asia

#3875 in the World

Enrollment: 8,210
Founded: 1991

70. Daejeon University

#1325 in Asia

#3930 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1980

71. Jeonju University

#1331 in Asia

#3942 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1964

72. Kumoh National University of Technology

#1333 in Asia

#3947 in the World

Enrollment: 10,463
Founded: 1980

73. Seoul Women's University

#1339 in Asia

#3964 in the World

Enrollment: 8,000
Founded: 1961

74. Gangneung-Wonju National University

#1343 in Asia

#3970 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 8,700
Founded: 1946

75. Korea National University of Transportation

#1347 in Asia

#3982 in the World

Enrollment: 13,400
Founded: 1962

76. Yong-In University

#1354 in Asia

#3998 in the World

Enrollment: 7,160
Founded: 1953

77. Cheongju University

#1377 in Asia

#4063 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1946

78. Korea Maritime and Ocean University

#1392 in Asia

#4096 in the World

Enrollment: 8,831
Male:Female: 78:22
Founded: 1945

79. Catholic Kwandong University

#1412 in Asia

#4141 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Enrollment: 9,993
Founded: 1954

80. Woosong University

#1417 in Asia

#4147 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1994

81. Andong National University

#1435 in Asia

#4186 in the World

Enrollment: 11,600
Founded: 1947

82. Korea Aerospace University

#1448 in Asia

#4218 in the World

Enrollment: 6,465
Founded: 1952

83. Duksung Women's University

#1462 in Asia

#4256 in the World

Enrollment: 600
Founded: 1950

84. Anyang University - South Korea

#1470 in Asia

#4271 in the World

Enrollment: 7,540
Founded: 1948

85. University of Suwon

#1496 in Asia

#4318 in the World

Enrollment: 12,415
Founded: 1977

86. Kosin University

#1507 in Asia

#4339 in the World

Founded: 1946

87. Pai Chai University

#1511 in Asia

#4357 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Enrollment: 13,000
Founded: 1885

88. Woosuk University

#1544 in Asia

#4430 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 11,500
Founded: 1979

89. Dongduk Women's University

#1553 in Asia

#4447 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 7,093
Founded: 1950

90. Handong Global University

#1560 in Asia

#4460 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 32%
Enrollment: 4,120
Founded: 1994

91. Hanseo University

#1582 in Asia

#4522 in the World

Enrollment: 8,500
Founded: 1992

92. University of Incheon

#1602 in Asia

#4563 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 13,822
Founded: 1988

93. Daegu Haany University

#1607 in Asia

#4575 in the World

Enrollment: 7,000
Founded: 1981

94. Hankyong National University

#1621 in Asia

#4603 in the World

Enrollment: 6,830
Founded: 1939

95. Hansung University

#1633 in Asia

#4624 in the World

Enrollment: 6,686
Founded: 1945

96. Eulji University

#1660 in Asia

#4684 in the World

Enrollment: 5,700
Founded: 1967

97. Sangji University

#1663 in Asia

#4691 in the World

Enrollment: 8,600
Founded: 1962

98. Namseoul University

#1720 in Asia

#4827 in the World

Founded: 1993

99. Daejin University

#1729 in Asia

#4847 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1992

100. Gwangju University

#1738 in Asia

#4865 in the World

Enrollment: 9,930
Founded: 1980

The best cities to study in South Korea based on the number of universities and their ranks are Seoul, Daejeon, Pohang, and Daegu.

Average cost of living for students in South Korea is $689 + $72-512 for rent (depends on where to live: dormitory, renting with a roommate or solo).