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

Updated: March 15, 2026

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 11.6M citations received by 586K 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

#17 in Asia

#237 in the World

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

2. Yonsei University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#35 in Asia

#364 in the World

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

3. KAIST

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#50 in Asia

#442 in the World

Enrollment: 10,249
Founded: 1971

4. Korea University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#72 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

#617 in the World

Founded: 1398

6. Hanyang University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#128 in Asia

#761 in the World

Enrollment: 35,000
Founded: 1939

7. Kyung Hee University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#139 in Asia

#805 in the World

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

8. University of Ulsan

South Korea | Ulsan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#213 in Asia

#1028 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

#220 in Asia

#1051 in the World

Enrollment: 3,425
Founded: 1986

10. Kyungpook National University

South Korea | Daegu

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#228 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

#238 in Asia

#1115 in the World

Enrollment: 27,780
Founded: 1946

12. Chung-Ang University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#260 in Asia

#1178 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

#1206 in the World

Enrollment: 24,680
Founded: 1886

14. Catholic University of Korea

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#279 in Asia

#1242 in the World

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

15. Inha University

South Korea | Incheon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#292 in Asia

#1276 in the World

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

16. Ajou University

South Korea | Suwon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#299 in Asia

#1303 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 1973

17. Sejong University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#351 in Asia

#1440 in the World

Enrollment: 13,350
Founded: 1940

18. Chonnam National University

South Korea | Gwangju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#375 in Asia

#1515 in the World

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

19. Chungnam National University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#394 in Asia

#1566 in the World

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

20. Konkuk University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#403 in Asia

#1585 in the World

Enrollment: 21,620
Founded: 1946

21. Chonbuk National University

South Korea | Jeonju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#422 in Asia

#1630 in the World

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

22. Yeungnam University

South Korea | Gyeongsan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#431 in Asia

#1654 in the World

Enrollment: 21,000
Founded: 1947

23. Dongguk University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#439 in Asia

#1667 in the World

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

24. Gyeongsang National University

South Korea | Jinju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#451 in Asia

#1704 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1948

25. Kangwon National University

South Korea | Chuncheon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#458 in Asia

#1722 in the World

Enrollment: 38,064
Founded: 1947

26. Sogang University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#459 in Asia

#1725 in the World

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

27. Chungbuk National University

South Korea | Cheongju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#488 in Asia

#1792 in the World

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

28. Hallym University

South Korea | Chuncheon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#526 in Asia

#1911 in the World

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

29. Gachon University

South Korea | Seongnam

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#543 in Asia

#1954 in the World

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

30. Pukyong National University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#556 in Asia

#1999 in the World

Enrollment: 28,100
Founded: 1924

31. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#588 in Asia

#2073 in the World

Enrollment: 21,240
Founded: 1954

32. Dankook University

South Korea | Yongin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#590 in Asia

#2078 in the World

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

33. Keimyung University

South Korea | Daegu

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#617 in Asia

#2132 in the World

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

34. Chosun University

South Korea | Gwangju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#659 in Asia

#2224 in the World

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

35. Soonchunhyang University

South Korea | Asan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#699 in Asia

#2312 in the World

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

36. Soongsil University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#701 in Asia

#2316 in the World

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

37. Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology

South Korea | Eonyang

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#703 in Asia

#2321 in the World

Enrollment: 4,255
Founded: 2009

38. Kookmin University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#735 in Asia

#2409 in the World

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

39. Dong-A University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#751 in Asia

#2447 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

#761 in Asia

#2467 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1910

41. University of Seoul

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#804 in Asia

#2555 in the World

Enrollment: 15,967
Founded: 1918

42. Hongik University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#807 in Asia

#2567 in the World

Founded: 1946

43. Jeju National University

South Korea | Jeju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#818 in Asia

#2591 in the World

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

44. University of Incheon

South Korea | Incheon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#894 in Asia

#2765 in the World

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

45. University of Science and Technology Korea

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#906 in Asia

#2794 in the World

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

46. Kyonggi University

South Korea | Suwon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#923 in Asia

#2830 in the World

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

47. Inje University

South Korea | Gimhae

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#931 in Asia

#2841 in the World

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

48. Wonkwang University

South Korea | Iksan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#950 in Asia

#2879 in the World

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

49. Kongju National University

South Korea | Gongju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#983 in Asia

#2949 in the World

Enrollment: 22,000
Founded: 1948

50. Kwangwoon University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1014 in Asia

#3016 in the World

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

51. Myongji University

South Korea | Yongin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1073 in Asia

#3134 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1948

52. Sangmyung University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1077 in Asia

#3139 in the World

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

53. Seoul National University of Education

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1087 in Asia

#3167 in the World

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

54. Catholic University of Daegu

South Korea | Gyeongsan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1107 in Asia

#3203 in the World

Enrollment: 17,000
Founded: 1914

55. Anyang University - South Korea

South Korea | Anyang

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1134 in Asia

#3264 in the World

Enrollment: 7,540
Founded: 1948

56. Sookmyung Women's University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1138 in Asia

#3271 in the World

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

57. Eulji University

South Korea | Seongnam

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1195 in Asia

#3390 in the World

Enrollment: 5,700
Founded: 1967

58. Daegu University

South Korea | Gyeongsan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1202 in Asia

#3402 in the World

Enrollment: 19,593
Founded: 1956

59. Kunsan National University

South Korea | Gunsan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1229 in Asia

#3459 in the World

Enrollment: 7,715
Founded: 1979

60. Hoseo University

South Korea | Asan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1271 in Asia

#3582 in the World

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

61. Changwon National University

South Korea | Changwon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1281 in Asia

#3599 in the World

Enrollment: 9,320
Founded: 1969

62. Yong-In University

South Korea | Yongin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1306 in Asia

#3647 in the World

Enrollment: 7,160
Founded: 1953

63. Korea Aerospace University

South Korea | Goyang

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1309 in Asia

#3652 in the World

Enrollment: 6,465
Founded: 1952

64. Hannam University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1333 in Asia

#3697 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

#1336 in Asia

#3700 in the World

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

66. Dong-Eui University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1412 in Asia

#3840 in the World

Enrollment: 24,200
Founded: 1976

67. Mokpo National University

South Korea | Muan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1419 in Asia

#3859 in the World

Enrollment: 12,942
Founded: 1946

68. Dongseo University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1421 in Asia

#3863 in the World

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

69. Seoul Women's University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1436 in Asia

#3897 in the World

Enrollment: 8,000
Founded: 1961

70. Kumoh National University of Technology

South Korea | Gumi

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1451 in Asia

#3927 in the World

Enrollment: 10,463
Founded: 1980

71. Gangneung-Wonju National University

South Korea | Gangneung

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1455 in Asia

#3946 in the World

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

72. Woosong University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1471 in Asia

#3975 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1994

73. Luther University

South Korea | Yongin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1499 in Asia

#4029 in the World

Enrollment: 490
Founded: 1966

74. Sunchon National University

South Korea | Suncheon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1505 in Asia

#4041 in the World

Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1935

75. Kyungnam University

South Korea | Masan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1517 in Asia

#4071 in the World

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

76. Sungshin University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1530 in Asia

#4093 in the World

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

77. Hanbat National University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1537 in Asia

#4105 in the World

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

78. Catholic Kwandong University

South Korea | Gangneung

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1557 in Asia

#4144 in the World

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

79. Konyang University

South Korea | Nonsan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1583 in Asia

#4193 in the World

Enrollment: 8,210
Founded: 1991

80. Jeonju University

South Korea | Jeonju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1597 in Asia

#4222 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1964

81. Daejeon University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1608 in Asia

#4247 in the World

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

82. Korea National University of Transportation

South Korea | Chungju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1623 in Asia

#4285 in the World

Enrollment: 13,400
Founded: 1962

83. Korea University of Technology and Education

South Korea | Cheonan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1641 in Asia

#4306 in the World

Founded: 1991

84. University of Suwon

South Korea | Hwaseong

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1642 in Asia

#4309 in the World

Enrollment: 12,415
Founded: 1977

85. Kyungsung University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1657 in Asia

#4339 in the World

Enrollment: 13,000
Founded: 1955

86. Hansung University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1667 in Asia

#4370 in the World

Enrollment: 6,686
Founded: 1945

87. Korea National University of Education

South Korea | Cheongju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1676 in Asia

#4394 in the World

Enrollment: 6,530
Founded: 1984

88. Hankyong National University

South Korea | Anseong

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1684 in Asia

#4409 in the World

Enrollment: 6,830
Founded: 1939

89. Andong National University

South Korea | Andong

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1688 in Asia

#4424 in the World

Enrollment: 11,600
Founded: 1947

90. Pai Chai University

South Korea | Daejeon

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1702 in Asia

#4458 in the World

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

91. Sahmyook University

South Korea | Seoul

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1707 in Asia

#4470 in the World

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

92. Cheongju University

South Korea | Cheongju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1744 in Asia

#4579 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1946

93. Kosin University

South Korea | Busan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1785 in Asia

#4657 in the World

Founded: 1946

94. Sun Moon University

South Korea | Asan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1786 in Asia

#4658 in the World

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

95. Sangji University

South Korea | Wonju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1794 in Asia

#4670 in the World

Enrollment: 8,600
Founded: 1962

96. Namseoul University

South Korea | Cheonan

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1855 in Asia

#4794 in the World

Founded: 1993

97. Honam University

South Korea | Gwangju

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1930 in Asia

#4952 in the World

Enrollment: 8,530
Founded: 1978

98. Woosuk University

South Korea | Wanju-gun

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1938 in Asia

#4970 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

#1978 in Asia

#5065 in the World

Founded: 1923

100. Kangnam University

South Korea | Yongin

For Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

#1985 in Asia

#5077 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.