In recent decades, Korea's prosperity has been mirrored in its academic output and resulting rankings. Today, more Korean institutions than ever feature in the upper echelons of global university rankings.
The two major rankings — Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings and the QS World University Rankings — have their own strengths and limitations. THE often focuses on research impact and international diversity, while QS prioritizes academic and employer reputation.
K-campus has combined the findings of both major rankings for Korean universities to provide a single reference point of the country's best-ranked institutions.
Methodology
All Korean universities listed on the THE World University Rankings 2024 and the QS World University Rankings 2024 were collated. Universities must feature on both rankings to qualify for the K-campus list.
Each university was then allocated a weighted score from both rankings, with a lower score representing a better overall ranking. For example, if a university is ranked 76th with THE and 41st with QS, that gives it a score of 117. For universities in later ranking brackets, such as 251-300 or 801-1000, the starting number of the bracket is used for the weighted score. More than 30 universities are listed due to a four-way tie for the 30th position.
THE: 1201-1500. QS: 1001-1200
Established in 1978 and located in Asan, South Chungcheong, approximately 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of Seoul, Soonchunhyang University was founded as a medical college and thus garnered a strong reputation for its medical programs. Its College of Medicine ranks consistently high among the top medical schools in Korea. The university has four affiliated hospitals for preceptorship. The university has a special program for its international students, named "the Department of Global Open Major," with all courses under the department's international studies major fully taught in English. THE states that Soonchunhyang has a "campus bursting with life," while QS describes it as a "renowned authority in neurology."
=29. Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech)
THE: 1201-1500. QS: 1001-1200
A leader in engineering disciplines, such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and IT, SeoulTech was established in 1910. More than half of the majors at the university are IT or engineering-based, and the university emphasizes interdisciplinary education by providing several convergence majors. The university is located in Nowon District, northern Seoul. THE labels it as a "leading light" in technology, engineering and design, while QS notes its close industry ties and its ability to produce "market-ready talent."
=29. Kangwon National University
THE: 1201-1500. QS: 1001-1200
Located in Chuncheon, a city in the northeastern part of Korea known for its scenery and lakeside location, it sits approximately 85 kilometers from Seoul. Founded in 1947, the university has a strong reputation in sciences and engineering, agriculture and rural development, alongside sports science. Being the flagship national university of Gangwon, a province with areas that span across North Korea, it focuses on exploring economic relations with North Korea and unification at the Kangwon Institute for Unification Studies. THE noted the university’s creative ideas and resources for local communities, while QS mentioned that its dormitory capacity is among the highest in Korea.
=29. Chungbuk National University
THE: 1201-1500. QS: 1001-1200
Founded in 1951, its central location is in Cheongju, 124 kilometers southeast of Seoul. While it has a focus on agriculture and life sciences, its College of Veterinary Medicine is held in especially high regard. THE scored it particularly highly for industry income, which measures the commercial impact of an institution's research. QS gave it a high ranking for its faculty-to-student ratio.
THE: 1201-1500. QS: 901-950
Located in Chuncheon and established in 1982, Hallym University is renowned for its medical and health care programs, with its College of Medicine having an impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 30-to-one. It also has strong programs in pharmacy, dentistry and life sciences. The university's Hallym University Medical Center owns six hospitals in not just Chuncheon but also in Seoul and Gyeonggi and offers a wide range of choices for preceptorship. THE gave it a high ranking for industry ties, while QS highlighted Hallym's international network, where students have the opportunity to gain firsthand experience by studying abroad.
THE: 801-1000. QS: 951-1000
Founded in 1918 as Kyung Sung Public Agricultural College, the University of Seoul is renowned for its urban planning, social sciences and public administration programs. It describes itself as associated with "the ideals of liberal education, peacekeeping and democracy-building." The university campus has more than 220 buildings across four million square meters (43 million square feet). QS highlights that it functions as a think tank for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, as the city government operates it. Being a public school, the university is one of the most affordable schools in Korea, with its tuition just a little above 2 million won ($1,470) per year.
=25. Chungnam National University
THE: 801-1000. QS: 851-900
Located in Daejeon, called Korea's capital of science and technology, Chungnam National University is fittingly known for its natural sciences, life sciences and engineering programs. According to THE, the university places a high value on cosmopolitan education, with nearly 300 sister universities worldwide.
=25. Chonnam National University
THE: 801-1000. QS: 851-900
Established in 1952, Chonnam National University has exceptional agriculture, life sciences and environmental engineering programs, with its College of Agriculture and Life Sciences especially well-known. The university main campus's host city, Gwangju, is equally exceptional as the city has a rich cultural heritage. THE's overview notes its excellent research outcomes.
=23. Yeungnam University
THE: 601-800. QS: 951-1000
Yeungnam University, established in 1967, is located near Daegu in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang. Its strength lies in health sciences, and it is known for having a rich tradition of producing skilled medical professionals, especially from its College of Medicine. It also consistently produces cutting-edge research results. Accordingly, THE gave it an exceptionally high score for its research quality.
=23. Jeonbuk National University
THE: 801-1000. QS: 721-730
Jeonbuk National University is unique in that many of its buildings are built in the traditional Korean architectural style, better known as hanok. It is one of the very few universities that have a hanok architecture program. This is in line with the aesthetics of the university's host city, Jeonju, North Jeolla, which is well-known for its cultural heritage and hanok village popular among tourists. Founded in 1947, the university is also renowned for its College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. QS scored it high for its student-to-faculty ratio as well.
22. Inha University
THE: 801-1000. QS: 691-700
Opened in 1954, Inha University is located in Incheon, which is also one of Korea's major port cities and home to Korea's largest airport. The city has an excellent marine science program, and its business and engineering divisions are also strong. THE gave it a high mark for industry tries.
THE: 601-800. QS: 801-850
The university's main campus is in eastern Seoul's Gwangjin District, giving its students the opportunity to campus their lives in an urban setting. On the other hand, its second base in Chungju, North Chungcheong, offers a different vibe, as the city is known for its picturesque nature and geographic features. Founded in 1931, the university is particularly known for its agriculture, animal science and environmental studies programs. Konkuk University is also the only private university in Korea to host a veterinary medicine school. It also runs a veterinary teaching hospital on its Seoul campus. THE notes that the university is international-friendly with its aid programs.
For more rankings:
Korea’s top 30 ranked universities, 20-11
Korea’s top 30 ranked universities, 1-10
