38 private universities in South Korea in 2026
The private universities in South Korea offer often more specialised programs with personalised support and modern facilities.
38 private universities
South Korea has private institutions bringing academic diversity and programs adapted to student needs and the professional job market.
POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology)
Small private research-intensive university founded by POSCO, dedicated to science and engineering.
Uiduk University
Private university in Gyeongju with Buddhist roots, celebrated for its outstanding campus environment.
Ajou University
Private university in Suwon born from French-Korean cooperation, renowned for engineering and IT.
The Catholic University of Korea
Private Catholic university with deep historical roots, a reference in medicine and health sciences.
Chosun University
Private university founded in 1946 in Gwangju, a pioneer of private higher education in the Honam region.
Chung-Ang University
Prestigious private university in Seoul founded in 1918, renowned for pharmacy, media, arts and law.
Dankook University
Historic private university founded in 1947, with campuses in Yongin and Cheonan.
Korea University
One of Seoul's elite private universities (SKY), founded in 1905, excelling in law, business and technology.
Dongguk University
Private Buddhist university founded in 1906 in Seoul, renowned for its film, medicine and Buddhist studies programs.
Ewha Womans University
The world's largest women's university, founded in 1886 in Seoul and a pioneer of Korean women's education.
Sookmyung Women's University
Prestigious private women's university in Seoul founded in 1906, educating leading women professionals and executives.
Sungshin Women's University
Private women's university in Seoul founded in 1936, recognised for design, education and pharmacy.
Gachon University
Private university in the Seoul area recognised for medicine, pharmacy and biotechnology.
Hallym University
Private university in Chuncheon, renowned for its medical school and top-tier university hospital network.
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
Leading private Seoul university specialising in languages, translation and international studies.
Hanyang University
Private university founded in 1939, a major powerhouse of Korean engineering, with campuses in Seoul and Ansan.
Hongik University
Seoul private university world-renowned for fine arts and design, offering strong programmes across disciplines.
Inha University
Private university in Incheon founded with the Korean-American diaspora, strong in engineering and logistics.
INJE University
Private university in Gimhae, renowned for its university hospital and automotive mechanical engineering.
Konkuk University
Private university in Seoul founded in 1946, known for its lively campus and veterinary medicine programs.
Kookmin University
Seoul's first post-war private university, recognised for design, automotive engineering and business.
Kyung Hee University
Private university founded in 1949, renowned for its stunning campus, peace studies and hospitality management.
Sejong University
Private Seoul university renowned for hospitality, business and technology programmes.
Sogang University
Jesuit university in Seoul founded in 1960, renowned for humanities, business and Korean studies.