100 Best universities for Physics 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 Physics. A graph of 28.3M citations received by 1.18M academic papers made by 142 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 Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#17 in Asia

#64 in the World

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

2. KAIST

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Daejeon

For Physics

#28 in Asia

#98 in the World

Enrollment: 10,249
Founded: 1971

3. Yonsei University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#50 in Asia

#168 in the World

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

4. Pohang University of Science and Technology

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Pohang

For Physics

#64 in Asia

#214 in the World

Enrollment: 3,425
Founded: 1986

5. Hanyang University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#65 in Asia

#224 in the World

Enrollment: 35,000
Founded: 1939

6. Sungkyunkwan University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#66 in Asia

#229 in the World

Founded: 1398

7. Korea University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#72 in Asia

#256 in the World

Enrollment: 24,351
Founded: 1905

8. Pusan National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Busan

For Physics

#108 in Asia

#392 in the World

Enrollment: 27,780
Founded: 1946

9. Kyungpook National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Daegu

For Physics

#128 in Asia

#469 in the World

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

10. Kyung Hee University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#131 in Asia

#475 in the World

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

11. Inha University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Incheon

For Physics

#137 in Asia

#486 in the World

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

12. Chonbuk National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Jeonju

For Physics

#153 in Asia

#539 in the World

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

13. Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Eonyang

For Physics

#180 in Asia

#605 in the World

Enrollment: 4,255
Founded: 2009

14. Chungnam National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Daejeon

For Physics

#184 in Asia

#620 in the World

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

15. Chonnam National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Gwangju

For Physics

#185 in Asia

#623 in the World

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

16. University of Ulsan

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Ulsan

For Physics

#193 in Asia

#648 in the World

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

17. Yeungnam University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Gyeongsan

For Physics

#202 in Asia

#684 in the World

Enrollment: 21,000
Founded: 1947

18. Chung-Ang University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#211 in Asia

#703 in the World

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

19. Ewha Womans University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#226 in Asia

#740 in the World

Enrollment: 24,680
Founded: 1886

20. Ajou University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Suwon

For Physics

#254 in Asia

#802 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Founded: 1973

21. Konkuk University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#256 in Asia

#808 in the World

Enrollment: 21,620
Founded: 1946

22. Sejong University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#272 in Asia

#847 in the World

Enrollment: 13,350
Founded: 1940

23. Gyeongsang National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Jinju

For Physics

#280 in Asia

#863 in the World

Enrollment: 19,000
Founded: 1948

24. Sogang University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#292 in Asia

#904 in the World

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

25. Pukyong National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Busan

For Physics

#297 in Asia

#916 in the World

Enrollment: 28,100
Founded: 1924

26. Dongguk University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#299 in Asia

#922 in the World

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

27. Chungbuk National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Cheongju

For Physics

#311 in Asia

#949 in the World

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

28. Kangwon National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Chuncheon

For Physics

#344 in Asia

#1011 in the World

Enrollment: 38,064
Founded: 1947

29. Catholic University of Korea

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#380 in Asia

#1079 in the World

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

30. University of Science and Technology Korea

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Daejeon

For Physics

#392 in Asia

#1097 in the World

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

31. Kwangwoon University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#405 in Asia

#1126 in the World

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

32. Dankook University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Yongin

For Physics

#409 in Asia

#1135 in the World

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

33. Seoul National University of Science and Technology

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#433 in Asia

#1191 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Founded: 1910

34. Chosun University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Gwangju

For Physics

#453 in Asia

#1225 in the World

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

35. Soongsil University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#482 in Asia

#1287 in the World

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

36. University of Seoul

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#485 in Asia

#1291 in the World

Enrollment: 15,967
Founded: 1918

37. Kookmin University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#496 in Asia

#1314 in the World

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

38. Hongik University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#517 in Asia

#1355 in the World

Founded: 1946

39. Gachon University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seongnam

For Physics

#523 in Asia

#1371 in the World

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

40. University of Incheon

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Incheon

For Physics

#572 in Asia

#1480 in the World

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

41. Changwon National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Changwon

For Physics

#579 in Asia

#1498 in the World

Enrollment: 9,320
Founded: 1969

42. Kongju National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Gongju

For Physics

#586 in Asia

#1506 in the World

Enrollment: 22,000
Founded: 1948

43. Dong-A University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Busan

For Physics

#596 in Asia

#1523 in the World

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

44. Myongji University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Yongin

For Physics

#628 in Asia

#1581 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1948

45. Kumoh National University of Technology

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Gumi

For Physics

#664 in Asia

#1634 in the World

Enrollment: 10,463
Founded: 1980

46. Jeju National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Jeju

For Physics

#667 in Asia

#1641 in the World

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

47. Anyang University - South Korea

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Anyang

For Physics

#681 in Asia

#1662 in the World

Enrollment: 7,540
Founded: 1948

48. Inje University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Gimhae

For Physics

#700 in Asia

#1699 in the World

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

49. Hanbat National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Daejeon

For Physics

#711 in Asia

#1715 in the World

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

50. Soonchunhyang University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Asan

For Physics

#723 in Asia

#1745 in the World

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

51. Hallym University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Chuncheon

For Physics

#751 in Asia

#1796 in the World

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

52. Kyonggi University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Suwon

For Physics

#785 in Asia

#1856 in the World

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

53. Kunsan National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Gunsan

For Physics

#789 in Asia

#1876 in the World

Enrollment: 7,715
Founded: 1979

54. Keimyung University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Daegu

For Physics

#825 in Asia

#1941 in the World

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

55. Sunchon National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Suncheon

For Physics

#870 in Asia

#2049 in the World

Enrollment: 14,000
Founded: 1935

56. Wonkwang University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Iksan

For Physics

#873 in Asia

#2054 in the World

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

57. Korea Maritime and Ocean University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Busan

For Physics

#877 in Asia

#2059 in the World

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

58. Korea Aerospace University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Goyang

For Physics

#903 in Asia

#2109 in the World

Enrollment: 6,465
Founded: 1952

59. Korea National University of Transportation

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Chungju

For Physics

#913 in Asia

#2126 in the World

Enrollment: 13,400
Founded: 1962

60. Daejeon University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Daejeon

For Physics

#923 in Asia

#2139 in the World

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

61. Mokpo National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Muan

For Physics

#955 in Asia

#2197 in the World

Enrollment: 12,942
Founded: 1946

62. Catholic University of Daegu

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Gyeongsan

For Physics

#1000 in Asia

#2292 in the World

Enrollment: 17,000
Founded: 1914

63. Daegu University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Gyeongsan

For Physics

#1005 in Asia

#2299 in the World

Enrollment: 19,593
Founded: 1956

64. Dong-Eui University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Busan

For Physics

#1006 in Asia

#2302 in the World

Enrollment: 24,200
Founded: 1976

65. Hannam University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Daejeon

For Physics

#1026 in Asia

#2345 in the World

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

66. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#1043 in Asia

#2372 in the World

Enrollment: 21,240
Founded: 1954

67. Andong National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Andong

For Physics

#1078 in Asia

#2451 in the World

Enrollment: 11,600
Founded: 1947

68. Kyungnam University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Masan

For Physics

#1102 in Asia

#2494 in the World

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

69. Hoseo University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Asan

For Physics

#1113 in Asia

#2515 in the World

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

70. Yong-In University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Yongin

For Physics

#1124 in Asia

#2540 in the World

Enrollment: 7,160
Founded: 1953

71. Korea University of Technology and Education

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Cheonan

For Physics

#1129 in Asia

#2551 in the World

Founded: 1991

72. Sookmyung Women's University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#1130 in Asia

#2552 in the World

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

73. Sun Moon University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Asan

For Physics

#1141 in Asia

#2572 in the World

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

74. Gangneung-Wonju National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Gangneung

For Physics

#1187 in Asia

#2669 in the World

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

75. Jeonju University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Jeonju

For Physics

#1226 in Asia

#2743 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Founded: 1964

76. Sangmyung University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#1253 in Asia

#2784 in the World

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

77. Kyungsung University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Busan

For Physics

#1272 in Asia

#2836 in the World

Enrollment: 13,000
Founded: 1955

78. University of Suwon

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Hwaseong

For Physics

#1275 in Asia

#2839 in the World

Enrollment: 12,415
Founded: 1977

79. Korea Polytechnic University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Siheung

For Physics

#1322 in Asia

#2932 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Enrollment: 7,896
Founded: 1998

80. Hankyong National University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Anseong

For Physics

#1329 in Asia

#2940 in the World

Enrollment: 6,830
Founded: 1939

81. Konyang University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Nonsan

For Physics

#1334 in Asia

#2950 in the World

Enrollment: 8,210
Founded: 1991

82. Hanseo University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seosan

For Physics

#1352 in Asia

#2983 in the World

Enrollment: 8,500
Founded: 1992

83. Seoul National University of Education

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#1404 in Asia

#3102 in the World

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

84. Eulji University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seongnam

For Physics

#1415 in Asia

#3135 in the World

Enrollment: 5,700
Founded: 1967

85. Catholic Kwandong University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Gangneung

For Physics

#1468 in Asia

#3236 in the World

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

86. Cheongju University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Cheongju

For Physics

#1475 in Asia

#3252 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Founded: 1946

87. Gwangju University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Gwangju

For Physics

#1515 in Asia

#3324 in the World

Enrollment: 9,930
Founded: 1980

88. Daejin University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Pocheon

For Physics

#1583 in Asia

#3467 in the World

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

89. Dongseo University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Busan

For Physics

#1589 in Asia

#3478 in the World

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

90. Seoul Women's University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#1592 in Asia

#3483 in the World

Enrollment: 8,000
Founded: 1961

91. Luther University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Yongin

For Physics

#1608 in Asia

#3520 in the World

Enrollment: 490
Founded: 1966

92. Woosuk University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Wanju-gun

For Physics

#1623 in Asia

#3553 in the World

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

93. Sungshin University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#1641 in Asia

#3593 in the World

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

94. Pai Chai University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Daejeon

For Physics

#1668 in Asia

#3651 in the World

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

95. Kosin University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Busan

For Physics

#1710 in Asia

#3766 in the World

Founded: 1946

96. Woosong University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Daejeon

For Physics

#1723 in Asia

#3792 in the World

Enrollment: 15,000
Founded: 1994

97. Kangnam University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Yongin

For Physics

#1725 in Asia

#3794 in the World

Enrollment: 9,870
Founded: 1946

98. Mokpo National Maritime University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Mokpo

For Physics

#1742 in Asia

#3835 in the World

Enrollment: 743
Male:Female: 84:16
Founded: 1950

99. Sahmyook University

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Seoul

For Physics

#1779 in Asia

#3933 in the World

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

100. Korea National University of Education

South Korea Flag

South Korea | Cheongju

For Physics

#1798 in Asia

#3975 in the World

Enrollment: 6,530
Founded: 1984

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

Physics subfields in South Korea

Acoustical Engineering113

Applied/Engineering Physics49

Astrophysics and Astronomy110

Atomic and Molecular physics71

Condensed Matter Physics93

Materials Science138

Medical Physics32

Nanotechnology116

Nuclear Physics101

Optical Engineering130

Quantum and Particle physics142

Theoretical Physics49