Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

36 Best Universities in South Korea

Our data-driven ranking evaluates 36 elite institutions across South Korea to determine true academic prominence. By assessing 947.8K research papers and their 21.92M citations, we reveal the most impactful research centers.

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1

Seoul

Seoul National University

#14 in Asia #156 in the World

20% Acceptance

28,378 Enrollment

1946 Founded

2

Seoul

Yonsei University

#31 in Asia #283 in the World

18% Acceptance

29,502 Enrollment

1957 Founded

3

Seoul

Hanyang University

#75 in Asia #504 in the World

45% Acceptance

35,000 Enrollment

1939 Founded

4

Seoul

Kyung Hee University

#102 in Asia #627 in the World

54% Acceptance

35,826 Enrollment

1949 Founded

5

Pohang

Pohang University of Science and Technology

#122 in Asia #732 in the World

43% Acceptance

3,425 Enrollment

1986 Founded

6

Seoul

Chung-Ang University

#137 in Asia #774 in the World

60% Acceptance

28,221 Enrollment

1918 Founded

7

Incheon

Inha University

#216 in Asia #1002 in the World

7% Acceptance

20,613 Enrollment

1954 Founded

8

Seoul

Sogang University

#299 in Asia #1261 in the World

38% Acceptance

9,227 Enrollment

1960 Founded

9

Suwon

Ajou University

#309 in Asia #1285 in the World

40% Acceptance

29,502 Enrollment

1973 Founded

10

Seoul

Soongsil University

#427 in Asia #1641 in the World

36% Acceptance

16,000 Enrollment

1897 Founded

11

Seoul

Kookmin University

#445 in Asia #1702 in the World

76% Acceptance

24,000 Enrollment

1946 Founded

12

Busan

Pukyong National University

#474 in Asia #1792 in the World

53% Acceptance

28,100 Enrollment

1924 Founded

13

Busan

Dong-A University

#501 in Asia #1862 in the World

47% Acceptance

21,519 Enrollment

1946 Founded

14

Seoul

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

#502 in Asia #1865 in the World

43% Acceptance

21,240 Enrollment

1954 Founded

15

Daejeon

University of Science and Technology Korea

#582 in Asia #2113 in the World

13% Acceptance

1,292 Enrollment

2003 Founded

16

Daegu

Keimyung University

#616 in Asia #2222 in the World

25% Acceptance

22,700 Enrollment

1954 Founded

17

Chuncheon

Hallym University

#627 in Asia #2253 in the World

13% Acceptance

8,747 Enrollment

1982 Founded

18

Seoul

Kwangwoon University

#658 in Asia #2324 in the World

35% Acceptance

9,807 Enrollment

1934 Founded

19

Jeju

Jeju National University

#707 in Asia #2452 in the World

38% Acceptance

12,200 Enrollment

1952 Founded

20

Seoul

Sangmyung University

#929 in Asia #3055 in the World

47% Acceptance

6,604 Enrollment

1937 Founded

21

Gyeongsan

Catholic University of Daegu

#998 in Asia #3228 in the World

44% Acceptance

17,000 Enrollment

1914 Founded

22

Masan

Kyungnam University

#1057 in Asia #3375 in the World

50% Acceptance

14,000 Enrollment

1946 Founded

23

Asan

Sun Moon University

#1105 in Asia #3492 in the World

86% Acceptance

10,058 Enrollment

1989 Founded

24

Anyang

Anyang University – South Korea

#1166 in Asia #3636 in the World

54% Acceptance

7,540 Enrollment

1948 Founded

25

Busan

Dongseo University

#1225 in Asia #3787 in the World

81% Acceptance

9,336 Enrollment

1992 Founded

26

Nonsan

Konyang University

#1233 in Asia #3802 in the World

70% Acceptance

8,210 Enrollment

1991 Founded

27

Seoul

Seoul Women’s University

#1305 in Asia #3971 in the World

61% Acceptance

8,000 Enrollment

1961 Founded

28

Gangneung

Catholic Kwandong University

#1306 in Asia #3972 in the World

81% Acceptance

9,993 Enrollment

1954 Founded

29

Seongnam

Eulji University

#1381 in Asia #4135 in the World

45% Acceptance

5,700 Enrollment

1967 Founded

30

Seoul

Duksung Women’s University

#1392 in Asia #4158 in the World

41% Acceptance

600 Enrollment

1950 Founded

31

Pohang

Handong Global University

#1434 in Asia #4258 in the World

32% Acceptance

4,120 Enrollment

1994 Founded

32

Seoul

Dongduk Women’s University

#1765 in Asia #5008 in the World

47% Acceptance

7,093 Enrollment

1950 Founded

33

Pocheon

Daejin University

#1868 in Asia #5228 in the World

50% Acceptance

7,832 Enrollment

1992 Founded

34

Cheongju

Korea National University of Education

#2099 in Asia #5715 in the World

45% Acceptance

6,530 Enrollment

1984 Founded

35

Pyeongtaek

Pyeongtaek University

#2495 in Asia #6567 in the World

36% Acceptance

6,000 Enrollment

1912 Founded

36

Pocheon

#3307 in Asia #8610 in the World

41% Acceptance

4,000 Enrollment

1996 Founded