Best universities in South Korea 2026
Discover the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and explore which universities in South Korea rank the highest.
This list reveals the best universities and colleges in South Korea, according to the trusted THE World University Rankings 2026.
Universities across South Korea are scored in areas such as teaching, research and international outlook.
It uses a robust methodology, created by the in-house data team, that is relied upon by students, academics, policymakers and industry leaders worldwide.
Share
Top universities in South Korea 2026
| South Korea Rank 2026 | WUR Rank 2026 | University | Overall | Teaching | Research Environment | Research Quality | Industry | International Outlook |
| 1 | =58 | Seoul National University | 74.1 | 74.1 | 74.8 | 77.6 | 100 | 43.5 |
| 2 | =70 | Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) | 71.3 | 66.7 | 67.5 | 82.4 | 100 | 44.2 |
| 3 | 86 | Yonsei University (Seoul campus) | 68.5 | 58.7 | 57.4 | 87.8 | 100 | 55.7 |
| 4 | 87 | Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) | 68.3 | 60.2 | 57.5 | 83.4 | 99.7 | 64.3 |
| 5 | =141 | Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) | 62.3 | 58.3 | 49.5 | 79.2 | 100 | 39.9 |
| 6 | =156 | Korea University | 61.4 | 52.4 | 51.3 | 73.3 | 99.9 | 67.8 |
| 7 | 201–250 | Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) | 56.4–58.6 | 47.4 | 39.5 | 81.3 | 98.1 | 39.5 |
| =8 | 251–300 | Hanyang University | 54.3–56.3 | 45.9 | 41.5 | 65.5 | 99.6 | 69.2 |
| =8 | 251–300 | Kyung Hee University | 54.3–56.3 | 41.2 | 40.3 | 76.5 | 99.9 | 72.5 |
| =8 | 251–300 | Sejong University | 54.3–56.3 | 33.6 | 33.6 | 92.6 | 83.7 | 65.8 |
| 11 | 351–400 | Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) | 49.9–51.5 | 49.4 | 38.7 | 64 | 89.6 | 32.4 |
| =12 | 401–500 | Ajou University | 46.2–49.8 | 34.3 | 38.6 | 58.4 | 95.8 | 59.4 |
| =12 | 401–500 | Chung-Ang University | 46.2–49.8 | 38.8 | 38.9 | 55.7 | 93.3 | 63.4 |
| =12 | 401–500 | Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) | 46.2–49.8 | 49.3 | 39.8 | 53.4 | 94 | 52.3 |
| =15 | 501–600 | Ewha Womans University | 43.6–46.1 | 36.9 | 37.3 | 50.3 | 90.9 | 50.9 |
| =15 | 501–600 | Gachon University | 43.6–46.1 | 34.9 | 24.1 | 63.8 | 70 | 62.5 |
| =15 | 501–600 | Konkuk University | 43.6–46.1 | 34.2 | 38.8 | 50.2 | 96.4 | 63.7 |
| =15 | 501–600 | Kyungpook National University (KNU) | 43.6–46.1 | 34.8 | 38.5 | 51 | 96.1 | 52.3 |
| =15 | 501–600 | Pusan National University | 43.6–46.1 | 41.6 | 39.6 | 49.1 | 95.3 | 45.1 |
| =15 | 501–600 | University of Ulsan | 43.6–46.1 | 30.6 | 27.6 | 75.8 | 92.9 | 24 |
| =15 | 501–600 | Yeungnam University | 43.6–46.1 | 25.1 | 22.9 | 75.3 | 62.8 | 65.2 |
| 22 | 601–800 | The Catholic University of Korea (CUK) | 39.0–43.5 | 31.6 | 39 | 50.9 | 92.9 | 43.2 |
| =23 | 801–1000 | Chonnam National University | 35.5–38.9 | 34.5 | 29.6 | 47 | 60.7 | 33.2 |
| =23 | 801–1000 | Inha University | 35.5–38.9 | 31.6 | 28.2 | 46.2 | 83.6 | 38.1 |
| =23 | 801–1000 | Jeonbuk National University | 35.5–38.9 | 33.3 | 29.2 | 46.7 | 69.4 | 36.7 |
| =23 | 801–1000 | Sogang University | 35.5–38.9 | 30.9 | 31.4 | 42.6 | 73.7 | 42.6 |
| =27 | 1001–1200 | Chungbuk National University | 32.1–35.4 | 33.5 | 31.4 | 36.3 | 70.2 | 36.5 |
| =27 | 1001–1200 | Chungnam National University | 32.1–35.4 | 30.1 | 30.7 | 37.9 | 72 | 25.4 |
| =27 | 1001–1200 | University of Seoul | 32.1–35.4 | 31.8 | 28.3 | 38.5 | 50.3 | 38.2 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | Gyeongsang National University | 27.3–32.0 | 27.8 | 19.5 | 36 | 55.7 | 25.9 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | Hallym University | 27.3–32.0 | 26.8 | 19.9 | 39.7 | 62.5 | 24.5 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | Incheon National University | 27.3–32.0 | 19.4 | 18.4 | 38.7 | 48.2 | 35.5 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | Jeju National University | 27.3–32.0 | 25.3 | 20.2 | 38.6 | 44.1 | 29.8 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | Kangwon National University | 27.3–32.0 | 24.6 | 24.9 | 36.6 | 54.1 | 25.3 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | Kookmin University | 27.3–32.0 | 28.6 | 21.3 | 27 | 59.7 | 38.1 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | Pukyong National University | 27.3–32.0 | 30.3 | 20.4 | 36.1 | 54.1 | 35.1 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech) | 27.3–32.0 | 30.3 | 21.7 | 35.1 | 52.6 | 34.2 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | Soonchunhyang University | 27.3–32.0 | 22.6 | 27.9 | 35.8 | 63.6 | 33.1 |
| =30 | 1201–1500 | Woosong University | 27.3–32.0 | 19.1 | 10.4 | 43.2 | 24.2 | 86.2 |
| =40 | 1501+ | Chosun University | 10.3–27.2 | 25.2 | 23.1 | 25.8 | 75 | 31 |
| =40 | 1501+ | Dankook University | 10.3–27.2 | 23.1 | 14.7 | 27.8 | 51.1 | 26.7 |
Key insights into the South Korea University Ranking 2026
- Seoul National University takes the first place position in this table for the top universities in South Korea.
- There are 41 universities from South Korea included in this ranking.
- Many of the universities in South Korea specialise in science and technology reflecting the country's flourishing science and technology sector.
- While many of the top 10 are beased in the capital of Seoul, some of the other ranked universities are based in cities such as Pohang and Busan.
How to choose a university in South Korea
More and more students are choosing to study in South Korea, and the country has recently seen dramatic increases in international enrolments. The government announced a plan to increase international enrolments to 200,000 by 2032 and is working hard to encourage even more students from the US, Europe and Asia to study in South Korea.
The country’s government hopes to entice even more young people to study abroad in South Korea by offering a range of financial incentives to institutions and individuals, streamlining student visa applications and providing employment support for those who have studied in South Korea and wish to stay on and work.
By some estimates, almost a third of university courses in South Korea are now taught in English, and many universities offer new, dedicated international campuses.
The table for the best universities in South Korea was derived from data collected for the THE World University Rankings. The results are calculated using 18 performance indicators underlying five metrics: research environment, teaching (the learning environment), research quality, industry, and international outlook. For more insight and a detailed breakdown of our ranking methodology, visit our methodology page. Use the South Korea ranking table above to explore the right institution for you.
