South Korea — university guide
The 73 universities in South Korea in 2026
An informative guide to the 73 higher education institutions in South Korea: international rankings, tuition fees, programs and practical information for your orientation.
73
Universities
35
Public
38
Private
#63
Best ranking
Seoul National University
3,000,000 KRW
Min bachelor fee
61
Programs
Bachelor fee range in South Korea
Based on the 22 universities in South Korea that published their fees.
Min3,000,000 KRWMax10,700,000 KRW
Universities in South Korea: public, private, rankings, fees and programs
35
Public universities
The public institutions in South Korea
35universities
38
Private universities
The private institutions in South Korea
38universities
49
Best universities
Ranked by overall average
49universities
22
The cheapest
Universities with the lowest fees
22universities
73
University fees
Tuition fee analysis
73universities
61
Programs
Fields offered in South Korea
61programs
List of universities in South Korea in 2026
73 universities listedDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)
#385Public9 9 programs· Public research institute in Daegu dedicated to convergence science, engineering and emerging technologies.
GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)
#379Public10 10 programs· Public research institute in Gwangju wholly dedicated to science and technology, with tuition fully funded.
Kumoh National Institute of Technology
Public8 8 programs· Public engineering institute in Gumi, at the heart of Korea's electronics corridor, practice-focused.
KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
#133Public12 12 programs· Leading public research institute in Daejeon, a global frontrunner in science, engineering, AI and advanced technologies.
POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology)
#205Private10 10 programs· Small private research-intensive university founded by POSCO, dedicated to science and engineering.
Uiduk University
Private7 7 programs· Private university in Gyeongju with Buddhist roots, celebrated for its outstanding campus environment.
UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology)
#302Public10 10 programs· Public research institute in Ulsan devoted to science, engineering and convergence technologies, highly international.
Ajou University
#736Private11 11 programs· Private university in Suwon born from French-Korean cooperation, renowned for engineering and IT.
The Catholic University of Korea
#652Private9 9 programs· Private Catholic university with deep historical roots, a reference in medicine and health sciences.
Chosun University
#1402Private10 10 programs· Private university founded in 1946 in Gwangju, a pioneer of private higher education in the Honam region.
Chung-Ang University
#517Private10 10 programs· Prestigious private university in Seoul founded in 1918, renowned for pharmacy, media, arts and law.
Korea Maritime and Ocean University
Public8 8 programs· Public university in Busan specializing in maritime sciences, naval engineering and global shipping.
Dankook University
#1302Private10 10 programs· Historic private university founded in 1947, with campuses in Yongin and Cheonan.
Korea University
#127Private13 13 programs· One of Seoul's elite private universities (SKY), founded in 1905, excelling in law, business and technology.
University of Seoul
#1029Public11 11 programs· Public university funded by the City of Seoul, renowned for urban planning, design and social sciences.
Dongguk University
#711Private10 10 programs· Private Buddhist university founded in 1906 in Seoul, renowned for its film, medicine and Buddhist studies programs.
Ewha Womans University
#595Private12 12 programs· The world's largest women's university, founded in 1886 in Seoul and a pioneer of Korean women's education.
Sookmyung Women's University
#1204Private9 9 programs· Prestigious private women's university in Seoul founded in 1906, educating leading women professionals and executives.
Sungshin Women's University
#1205Private8 8 programs· Private women's university in Seoul founded in 1936, recognised for design, education and pharmacy.
Gachon University
#827Private10 10 programs· Private university in the Seoul area recognised for medicine, pharmacy and biotechnology.
Hallym University
#1103Private8 8 programs· Private university in Chuncheon, renowned for its medical school and top-tier university hospital network.
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
#620Private10 10 programs· Leading private Seoul university specialising in languages, translation and international studies.
Hanyang University
#228Private12 12 programs· Private university founded in 1939, a major powerhouse of Korean engineering, with campuses in Seoul and Ansan.
Hongik University
#1401Private8 8 programs· Seoul private university world-renowned for fine arts and design, offering strong programmes across disciplines.