100 Best universities for Liberal Arts & Social Sciences in South Korea

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in South Korea ranked based on their research performance in Liberal Arts & Social Sciences. A graph of 10.6M citations received by 565K academic papers made by 144 universities in South Korea was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Seoul National University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#16 in Asia

#241 in the World

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

2. Yonsei University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#36 in Asia

#368 in the World

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

3. KAIST

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#49 in Asia

#443 in the World

Enrollment: 10,249
Founded: 1971

4. Korea University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#69 in Asia

#516 in the World

Enrollment: 24,351
Founded: 1905

5. Sungkyunkwan University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#93 in Asia

#627 in the World

Founded: 1398

6. Hanyang University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#126 in Asia

#764 in the World

Enrollment: 35,000
Founded: 1939

7. Kyung Hee University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#141 in Asia

#819 in the World

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

8. University of Ulsan

South Korea | Ulsan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#210 in Asia

#1036 in the World

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

9. Pohang University of Science and Technology

South Korea | Pohang

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#211 in Asia

#1037 in the World

Enrollment: 3,425
Founded: 1986

10. Kyungpook National University

South Korea | Daegu

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#224 in Asia

#1082 in the World

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

11. Pusan National University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#236 in Asia

#1119 in the World

Enrollment: 27,780
Founded: 1946

12. Chung-Ang University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#259 in Asia

#1191 in the World

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

13. Ewha Womans University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#266 in Asia

#1220 in the World

Enrollment: 24,680
Founded: 1886

14. Catholic University of Korea

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#278 in Asia

#1254 in the World

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

15. Inha University

South Korea | Incheon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#286 in Asia

#1272 in the World

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

16. Ajou University

South Korea | Suwon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#296 in Asia

#1299 in the World

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

17. Sejong University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#349 in Asia

#1459 in the World

Enrollment: 13,350
Founded: 1940

18. Chonnam National University

South Korea | Gwangju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#372 in Asia

#1519 in the World

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

19. Chungnam National University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#389 in Asia

#1574 in the World

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

20. Konkuk University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#402 in Asia

#1596 in the World

Enrollment: 21,620
Founded: 1946

21. Chonbuk National University

South Korea | Jeonju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#418 in Asia

#1640 in the World

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

22. Yeungnam University

South Korea | Gyeongsan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#430 in Asia

#1664 in the World

Enrollment: 21,000
Founded: 1947

23. Dongguk University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#438 in Asia

#1688 in the World

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

24. Gyeongsang National University

South Korea | Jinju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#440 in Asia

#1700 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1948

25. Sogang University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#445 in Asia

#1708 in the World

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

26. Kangwon National University

South Korea | Chuncheon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#461 in Asia

#1747 in the World

Enrollment: 38,064
Founded: 1947

27. Chungbuk National University

South Korea | Cheongju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#479 in Asia

#1793 in the World

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

28. Hallym University

South Korea | Chuncheon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#517 in Asia

#1904 in the World

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

29. Pukyong National University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#550 in Asia

#2008 in the World

Enrollment: 28,100
Founded: 1924

30. Gachon University

South Korea | Seongnam

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#558 in Asia

#2028 in the World

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

31. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#583 in Asia

#2084 in the World

Enrollment: 21,240
Founded: 1954

32. Dankook University

South Korea | Yongin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#586 in Asia

#2090 in the World

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

33. Keimyung University

South Korea | Daegu

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#614 in Asia

#2147 in the World

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

34. Chosun University

South Korea | Gwangju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#649 in Asia

#2218 in the World

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

35. Soongsil University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#689 in Asia

#2302 in the World

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

36. Soonchunhyang University

South Korea | Asan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#691 in Asia

#2305 in the World

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

37. Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology

South Korea | Eonyang

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#696 in Asia

#2328 in the World

Enrollment: 4,255
Founded: 2009

38. Kookmin University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#724 in Asia

#2405 in the World

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

39. Dong-A University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#736 in Asia

#2435 in the World

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

40. Seoul National University of Science and Technology

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#758 in Asia

#2478 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1910

41. University of Seoul

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#791 in Asia

#2561 in the World

Enrollment: 15,967
Founded: 1918

42. Hongik University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#793 in Asia

#2564 in the World

Founded: 1946

43. Jeju National University

South Korea | Jeju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#818 in Asia

#2618 in the World

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

44. University of Incheon

South Korea | Incheon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#893 in Asia

#2786 in the World

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

45. Inje University

South Korea | Gimhae

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#909 in Asia

#2826 in the World

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

46. Kyonggi University

South Korea | Suwon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#918 in Asia

#2840 in the World

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

47. University of Science and Technology Korea

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#929 in Asia

#2856 in the World

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

48. Wonkwang University

South Korea | Iksan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#938 in Asia

#2877 in the World

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

49. Kongju National University

South Korea | Gongju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#975 in Asia

#2957 in the World

Enrollment: 22,000
Founded: 1948

50. Kwangwoon University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1006 in Asia

#3014 in the World

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

51. Myongji University

South Korea | Yongin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1056 in Asia

#3112 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1948

52. Sangmyung University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1085 in Asia

#3171 in the World

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

53. Catholic University of Daegu

South Korea | Gyeongsan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1087 in Asia

#3177 in the World

Enrollment: 17,000
Founded: 1914

54. Seoul National University of Education

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1091 in Asia

#3190 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 3,420
Founded: 1946

55. Sookmyung Women's University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1125 in Asia

#3270 in the World

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

56. Anyang University - South Korea

South Korea | Anyang

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1145 in Asia

#3314 in the World

Enrollment: 7,540
Founded: 1948

57. Daegu University

South Korea | Gyeongsan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1186 in Asia

#3390 in the World

Enrollment: 19,593
Founded: 1956

58. Eulji University

South Korea | Seongnam

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1192 in Asia

#3409 in the World

Enrollment: 5,700
Founded: 1967

59. Kunsan National University

South Korea | Gunsan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1213 in Asia

#3455 in the World

Enrollment: 7,715
Founded: 1979

60. Hoseo University

South Korea | Asan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1255 in Asia

#3565 in the World

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

61. Yong-In University

South Korea | Yongin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1266 in Asia

#3597 in the World

Enrollment: 7,160
Founded: 1953

62. Changwon National University

South Korea | Changwon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1267 in Asia

#3598 in the World

Enrollment: 9,320
Founded: 1969

63. Korea Aerospace University

South Korea | Goyang

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1286 in Asia

#3633 in the World

Enrollment: 6,465
Founded: 1952

64. Hannam University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1303 in Asia

#3664 in the World

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

65. Korea Maritime and Ocean University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1321 in Asia

#3707 in the World

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

66. Dong-Eui University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1376 in Asia

#3789 in the World

Enrollment: 24,200
Founded: 1976

67. Mokpo National University

South Korea | Muan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1400 in Asia

#3838 in the World

Enrollment: 12,942
Founded: 1946

68. Dongseo University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1407 in Asia

#3851 in the World

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

69. Seoul Women's University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1416 in Asia

#3871 in the World

Enrollment: 8,000
Founded: 1961

70. Kumoh National University of Technology

South Korea | Gumi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1448 in Asia

#3954 in the World

Enrollment: 10,463
Founded: 1980

71. Gangneung-Wonju National University

South Korea | Gangneung

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1456 in Asia

#3972 in the World

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

72. Luther University

South Korea | Yongin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1469 in Asia

#3996 in the World

Enrollment: 490
Founded: 1966

73. Woosong University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1473 in Asia

#4003 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1994

74. Kyungnam University

South Korea | Masan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1489 in Asia

#4034 in the World

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

75. Sunchon National University

South Korea | Suncheon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1494 in Asia

#4040 in the World

Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1935

76. Sungshin University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1523 in Asia

#4099 in the World

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

77. Hanbat National University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1526 in Asia

#4103 in the World

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

78. Catholic Kwandong University

South Korea | Gangneung

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1544 in Asia

#4132 in the World

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

79. Konyang University

South Korea | Nonsan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1563 in Asia

#4176 in the World

Enrollment: 8,210
Founded: 1991

80. Daejeon University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1590 in Asia

#4230 in the World

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

81. Jeonju University

South Korea | Jeonju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1591 in Asia

#4232 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1964

82. University of Suwon

South Korea | Hwaseong

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1617 in Asia

#4286 in the World

Enrollment: 12,415
Founded: 1977

83. Korea National University of Transportation

South Korea | Chungju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1629 in Asia

#4313 in the World

Enrollment: 13,400
Founded: 1962

84. Kyungsung University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1632 in Asia

#4328 in the World

Enrollment: 13,000
Founded: 1955

85. Hansung University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1635 in Asia

#4332 in the World

Enrollment: 6,686
Founded: 1945

86. Korea University of Technology and Education

South Korea | Cheonan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1638 in Asia

#4335 in the World

Founded: 1991

87. Hankyong National University

South Korea | Anseong

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1669 in Asia

#4406 in the World

Enrollment: 6,830
Founded: 1939

88. Andong National University

South Korea | Andong

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1671 in Asia

#4409 in the World

Enrollment: 11,600
Founded: 1947

89. Korea National University of Education

South Korea | Cheongju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1674 in Asia

#4420 in the World

Enrollment: 6,530
Founded: 1984

90. Pai Chai University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1679 in Asia

#4436 in the World

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

91. Sahmyook University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1710 in Asia

#4503 in the World

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

92. Cheongju University

South Korea | Cheongju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1743 in Asia

#4584 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1946

93. Sun Moon University

South Korea | Asan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1762 in Asia

#4629 in the World

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

94. Kosin University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1765 in Asia

#4633 in the World

Founded: 1946

95. Sangji University

South Korea | Wonju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1775 in Asia

#4646 in the World

Enrollment: 8,600
Founded: 1962

96. Namseoul University

South Korea | Cheonan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1839 in Asia

#4782 in the World

Founded: 1993

97. Honam University

South Korea | Gwangju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1916 in Asia

#4943 in the World

Enrollment: 8,530
Founded: 1978

98. Woosuk University

South Korea | Wanju-gun

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1943 in Asia

#4998 in the World

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

99. Chinju National University of Education

South Korea | Jinju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1964 in Asia

#5047 in the World

Founded: 1923

100. Kangnam University

South Korea | Yongin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1966 in Asia

#5050 in the World

Enrollment: 9,870
Founded: 1946

The best cities to study Liberal Arts & Social Sciences in South Korea based on the number of universities and their ranks are Seoul, Daejeon, Ulsan, and Pohang.