Netherlands — university guide
The 61 universities in the Netherlands in 2026
An informative guide to the 61 higher education institutions in the Netherlands: international rankings, tuition fees, programs and practical information for your orientation.
61
Universities
46
Public
15
Private
#75
Best ranking
University of Amsterdam
5,030 EUR
Min bachelor fee
59
Programs
Bachelor fee range in the Netherlands
Based on the 39 universities in the Netherlands that published their fees.
Min5,030 EURMax24,950 EUR
Universities in the Netherlands: public, private, rankings, fees and programs
46
Public universities
The public institutions in the Netherlands
46universities
15
Private universities
The private institutions in the Netherlands
15universities
13
Best universities
Ranked by overall average
13universities
39
The cheapest
Universities with the lowest fees
39universities
61
University fees
Tuition fee analysis
61universities
59
Programs
Fields offered in the Netherlands
59programs
List of universities in the Netherlands in 2026
61 universities listedTio University College of Applied Sciences
Private8 8 programs· A leading private Dutch business college: business, hospitality, events and tourism, taught intensively in small classes.
Nyenrode Business Universiteit
Private6 6 programs· The Netherlands' only private business university, founded in 1946: a historic residential campus and an elite network.
University of Amsterdam
#75Public24 24 programs· A leading research university in the heart of Amsterdam, heir to the 1632 Athenaeum Illustre: humanities, social sciences, economics and health.
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
Public19 19 programs· The largest university of applied sciences in the Netherlands, offering practice-driven programmes in business, digital media, IT, health and sports.
Avans University of Applied Sciences
Public8 8 programs· Avans, a top-rated hogeschool in Breda, Den Bosch and Tilburg: business, tech, arts and care.
Utrecht University of Applied Sciences
Public9 9 programs· HU, one of the largest universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands, in Utrecht: tech, care, media, business and education.
Breda University of Applied Sciences
Public6 6 programs· BUas in Breda: tourism, leisure, digital media, games, logistics and the built environment.
Hanze University of Applied Sciences
Public19 19 programs· The largest university of applied sciences in the north of the Netherlands, offering practice-based programmes in business, technology, arts, health and sports.
The Hague University of Applied Sciences
Public17 17 programs· A highly international university of applied sciences in The Hague, offering practice-based programmes in law, business, IT, health, design and global affairs.
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences
Public10 10 programs· One of the Netherlands' largest universities of applied sciences, in Rotterdam: engineering, business, care, design and media.
Saxion University of Applied Sciences
Public8 8 programs· Saxion, the hogeschool of Deventer and Enschede: tech, care, business and hospitality, with a large international community.
Windesheim University of Applied Sciences
Public9 9 programs· A top-rated hogeschool in Zwolle: 80+ programmes including the Global Project and Change Management honours college.
Fontys University of Applied Sciences
Public9 9 programs· One of the largest universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands, based in Eindhoven: engineering, health, education, arts and business.
HAN University of Applied Sciences
Public9 9 programs· HAN, the hogeschool of Arnhem and Nijmegen: automotive, engineering, health, education and social studies.
HZ University of Applied Sciences
Public7 7 programs· HZ in Middelburg, Zeeland: English-taught degrees in water, engineering, business and tourism, by the sea.
Inholland University of Applied Sciences
Public10 10 programs· One of the largest Dutch universities of applied sciences in the Amsterdam region: business, tech, care, media and tourism.
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
Public8 8 programs· A hogeschool in the north of the Netherlands (Leeuwarden, Emmen, Groningen): design, hospitality, technology and innovative teaching.
Zuyd University of Applied Sciences
Public10 10 programs· Zuyd, the hogeschool of Maastricht, Heerlen and Sittard: arts, hospitality, health and psychology in the Euregio.
University of Humanistic Studies
Private3 3 programs· A small private Utrecht university devoted to humanistics: meaning in life, ethics, spiritual care and contemporary social questions.
Utrecht University
#87Public30 30 programs· The largest university in the Netherlands, founded in 1636 in Utrecht: top research, a broad disciplinary range and renowned international colleges.
University of Groningen
#109Public31 31 programs· The Netherlands' second-oldest university, founded in 1614: a broad, research-intensive community of 36,000 students in vibrant student city Groningen.
Leiden University
#97Public20 20 programs· Founded in 1575, the Netherlands' oldest university combines centuries of scholarship with strengths in law, humanities, medicine and international studies.
Maastricht University
#230Public18 18 programs· The Netherlands' most international university, based in Maastricht and renowned for Problem-Based Learning and strong programmes in health, law and economics.
Eindhoven University of Technology
#211Public16 16 programs· A leading technical university in Eindhoven's Brainport region: advanced engineering, data science and close ties with high-tech industry.