69 Best universities for Oncology and Cancer research in France

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in France ranked based on their research performance in Oncology and Cancer research. A graph of 4.77M citations received by 107K academic papers made by 69 universities in France 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. Pierre and Marie Curie University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Oncology and Cancer research

#7 in Europe

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 35,114
Founded: 1150

2. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Villeurbanne

For Oncology and Cancer research

#52 in Europe

#193 in the World

Enrollment: 38,007
Founded: 1809

3. Paris-Sud University

Ile-de-France | Orsay

For Oncology and Cancer research

#71 in Europe

#236 in the World

Enrollment: 23,270
Founded: 2014

4. Paris Descartes University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Oncology and Cancer research

#82 in Europe

#259 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 31,690
Founded: 2019

5. University of Aix-Marseilles

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Marseille

For Oncology and Cancer research

#128 in Europe

#367 in the World

Enrollment: 66,378
Founded: 2012

6. University of Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Oncology and Cancer research

#131 in Europe

#379 in the World

Enrollment: 49,000
Founded: 1289

7. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse III

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Oncology and Cancer research

#134 in Europe

#387 in the World

Enrollment: 29,680
Founded: 1960

8. University of Bordeaux

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux

For Oncology and Cancer research

#139 in Europe

#407 in the World

Enrollment: 46,845
Founded: 1441

9. University of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Oncology and Cancer research

#164 in Europe

#466 in the World

Enrollment: 69,000
Founded: 2018

10. University of Strasbourg

Grand Est | Strasbourg

For Oncology and Cancer research

#170 in Europe

#479 in the World

Enrollment: 10,077
Founded: 1621

11. Grenoble Alpes University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint Martin d'Heres

For Oncology and Cancer research

#176 in Europe

#515 in the World

Enrollment: 53,949
Founded: 1339

12. Paris Diderot University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Oncology and Cancer research

#177 in Europe

#517 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 25,523
Founded: 1970

13. University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Nice

For Oncology and Cancer research

#181 in Europe

#525 in the World

Enrollment: 25,327
Founded: 1965

14. University of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Oncology and Cancer research

#182 in Europe

#526 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 42,000
Founded: 1460

15. Paris-Est Creteil Val-de-Marne University

Ile-de-France | Creteil

For Oncology and Cancer research

#196 in Europe

#562 in the World

Enrollment: 37,313
Founded: 1970

16. University of Rouen Normandie

Normandy | Mont-Saint-Aignan

For Oncology and Cancer research

#203 in Europe

#583 in the World

Enrollment: 31,500
Founded: 1966

17. University of Rheims Champagne-Ardenne

Grand Est | Reims

For Oncology and Cancer research

#208 in Europe

#613 in the World

Enrollment: 24,480
Founded: 1548

18. University of Burgundy

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Dijon

For Oncology and Cancer research

#210 in Europe

#620 in the World

Enrollment: 29,508
Founded: 1722

19. University of Caen Normandy

Normandy | Caen

For Oncology and Cancer research

#219 in Europe

#652 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 27,465
Founded: 1432

20. University of Lorraine

Grand Est | Nancy

For Oncology and Cancer research

#228 in Europe

#685 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 60,404
Founded: 2012

21. University of Clermont Auvergne

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Clermont-Ferrand

For Oncology and Cancer research

#229 in Europe

#689 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 14,690
Founded: 1854

22. Francois Rabelais University

Centre-Val de Loire | Tours

For Oncology and Cancer research

#230 in Europe

#699 in the World

Enrollment: 27,388
Founded: 1969

23. University of Angers

Pays de la Loire | Angers

For Oncology and Cancer research

#232 in Europe

#702 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Enrollment: 25,687
Founded: 1971

24. Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University

Ile-de-France | Versailles

For Oncology and Cancer research

#241 in Europe

#732 in the World

Enrollment: 13,816
Founded: 1991

25. Normal Superior School of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Oncology and Cancer research

#251 in Europe

#770 in the World

Enrollment: 2,297
Founded: 1987

26. University of Poitiers

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Poitiers

For Oncology and Cancer research

#262 in Europe

#798 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 27,820
Founded: 1431

27. University of Limoges

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Limoges

For Oncology and Cancer research

#275 in Europe

#872 in the World

Enrollment: 17,658
Founded: 1968

28. University of Picardie Jules Verne

Hauts-de-France | Amiens

For Oncology and Cancer research

#290 in Europe

#948 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 27,900
Founded: 1970

29. University of Franche-Comte

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Besancon

For Oncology and Cancer research

#304 in Europe

#1021 in the World

Enrollment: 21,677
Founded: 1423

30. Normal Superior School

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Oncology and Cancer research

#314 in Europe

#1062 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 2,536
Founded: 1794

31. National Veterinary School of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Oncology and Cancer research

#329 in Europe

#1119 in the World

Founded: 1828

32. University of Western Brittany

Brittany | Brest

For Oncology and Cancer research

#347 in Europe

#1195 in the World

Enrollment: 22,303
Founded: 1461

33. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Oncology and Cancer research

#384 in Europe

#1350 in the World

Enrollment: 565
Founded: 1896

34. National Veterinary School of Alfort

Ile-de-France | Maisons-Alfort

For Oncology and Cancer research

#423 in Europe

#1509 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Enrollment: 800
Founded: 1765

35. National Graduate School of Engineering, Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Oncology and Cancer research

#432 in Europe

#1536 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Enrollment: 1,500
Founded: 1783

36. University of Orleans

Centre-Val de Loire | Orleans

For Oncology and Cancer research

#435 in Europe

#1561 in the World

Enrollment: 16,629
Founded: 1962

37. Polytechnic School

Ile-de-France | Palaiseau

For Oncology and Cancer research

#437 in Europe

#1564 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 2,790
Founded: 1794

38. Jean Monnet University

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Saint-Etienne

For Oncology and Cancer research

#453 in Europe

#1640 in the World

Enrollment: 17,195
Founded: 1970

39. EHESP School of Public Health

Brittany | Rennes

For Oncology and Cancer research

#457 in Europe

#1670 in the World

Enrollment: 433
Founded: 1945

40. National Graduate School of Chemistry, Montpellier

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Oncology and Cancer research

#460 in Europe

#1694 in the World

Enrollment: 427
Founded: 1957

41. Paris Institute of Technology for Life, Food and Environmental Sciences

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Oncology and Cancer research

#500 in Europe

#1911 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 2,300
Founded: 2007

42. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Oncology and Cancer research

#521 in Europe

#2064 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Enrollment: 6,067
Founded: 1957

43. University of Nimes

Occitanie | Nimes

For Oncology and Cancer research

#532 in Europe

#2128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 5,993
Founded: 2007

44. Normal Superior School of Paris-Saclay

Ile-de-France | Cachan

For Oncology and Cancer research

#534 in Europe

#2136 in the World

Enrollment: 1,382
Founded: 1912

45. New Sorbonne University - Paris III

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Oncology and Cancer research

#545 in Europe

#2194 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 15,232
Founded: 1971

46. National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Oncology and Cancer research

#546 in Europe

#2195 in the World

Enrollment: 4,148
Founded: 1969

47. University of Evry-Val d'Essonne

Ile-de-France | Evry

For Oncology and Cancer research

#558 in Europe

#2286 in the World

Enrollment: 6,458
Founded: 1991

48. Agrocampus Ouest

Brittany | Rennes

For Oncology and Cancer research

#564 in Europe

#2312 in the World

Enrollment: 2,000
Founded: 2008

49. National Institute for Applied Sciences, Toulouse

Occitanie | Toulouse

For Oncology and Cancer research

#571 in Europe

#2350 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 3,077
Founded: 1963

50. University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Oncology and Cancer research

#574 in Europe

#2359 in the World

Enrollment: 42,700
Founded: 1971

51. Grenoble Institute of Technology

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Grenoble

For Oncology and Cancer research

#576 in Europe

#2372 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 30%
Enrollment: 7,646
Founded: 1900

52. University of Technology of Compiegne

Hauts-de-France | Compiegne

For Oncology and Cancer research

#594 in Europe

#2459 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 4,367
Founded: 1972

53. University of Paris 8

Ile-de-France | Saint-Denis

For Oncology and Cancer research

#615 in Europe

#2546 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Enrollment: 22,023
Founded: 1968

54. University of Rennes 2

Brittany | Rennes

For Oncology and Cancer research

#626 in Europe

#2615 in the World

Enrollment: 23,365
Founded: 1969

55. School of Industrial Physics and Chemistry of the City of Paris

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Oncology and Cancer research

#640 in Europe

#2707 in the World

Enrollment: 1,000
Founded: 1882

56. University of La Rochelle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine | La Rochelle

For Oncology and Cancer research

#653 in Europe

#2760 in the World

Enrollment: 7,832
Founded: 1993

57. Lille Catholic University

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Oncology and Cancer research

#678 in Europe

#2894 in the World

Enrollment: 39,424
Founded: 1875

58. Paris West University Nanterre La Defense

Ile-de-France | Nanterre

For Oncology and Cancer research

#680 in Europe

#2903 in the World

Enrollment: 31,975
Founded: 1964

59. Paul Valery University, Montpellier 3

Occitanie | Montpellier

For Oncology and Cancer research

#683 in Europe

#2913 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 21,997
Founded: 1970

60. Artois University

Hauts-de-France | Arras

For Oncology and Cancer research

#720 in Europe

#3144 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 12,051
Founded: 1992

61. University of Le Havre

Normandy | Le Havre

For Oncology and Cancer research

#733 in Europe

#3210 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 7,591
Founded: 1984

62. University of Technology of Belfort-Montbeliard

Bourgogne-Franche-Comte | Belfort

For Oncology and Cancer research

#743 in Europe

#3253 in the World

Enrollment: 2,455
Founded: 1999

63. Paris Dauphine University

Ile-de-France | Paris

For Oncology and Cancer research

#764 in Europe

#3337 in the World

Enrollment: 11,281
Founded: 1968

64. University of Avignon and the Vaucluse

Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur | Avignon

For Oncology and Cancer research

#771 in Europe

#3389 in the World

Enrollment: 6,434
Founded: 1984

65. Central School of Lille

Hauts-de-France | Lille

For Oncology and Cancer research

#772 in Europe

#3391 in the World

Enrollment: 2,272
Founded: 1872

66. Central School of Nantes

Pays de la Loire | Nantes

For Oncology and Cancer research

#780 in Europe

#3439 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Enrollment: 2,287
Founded: 1919

67. University of French Polynesia

French Polynesia | Puna'auia

For Oncology and Cancer research

#782 in Europe

#3448 in the World

Enrollment: 2,944
Founded: 1987

68. National Graduate School of Engineering, Caen

Normandy | Caen

For Oncology and Cancer research

#784 in Europe

#3461 in the World

Enrollment: 818
Founded: 1976

69. Catholic University of Lyon

Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes | Lyon

For Oncology and Cancer research

#790 in Europe

#3492 in the World

Enrollment: 12,000
Founded: 1875

The best cities to study Oncology and Cancer research in France based on the number of universities and their ranks are Paris, Villeurbanne, Orsay, and Marseille.