Seoul Ranks First in QS Best Student Cities for 2025

Seoul has achieved the top position in the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) 'Best Student Cities' ranking, marking the first time the city has claimed this honor since the survey began in 2014. The announcement was made on July 15, 2025, and the ranking evaluates cities based on factors such as employment opportunities, cost of living, and student population across 140 cities housing the top 1,500 universities worldwide.

Following Seoul, Tokyo (Japan) secured the second spot, while London (UK), which held the number one position for six consecutive years until last year, dropped to third place due to rising living costs.

Seoul excelled particularly in the category assessing the number of prestigious universities, boasting 23 institutions included in this year's global university rankings—the highest of any city. Notable universities in Seoul include Seoul National University (38th), Yonsei University (50th), Korea University (61st), Sungkyunkwan University (126th), and Hanyang University (159th), all of which are ranked within the top 200.

Additionally, Seoul ranked third in the 'Employment Environment' category, which reflects the size of companies and institutions where graduates can find jobs, and seventh in 'City Preference,' which considers safety, weather, and transportation infrastructure. The city also improved significantly in 'Affordability,' moving up to 68th place from 91st last year, thanks to its relatively lower cost of living compared to other cities in Europe and the Anglophone world. In terms of 'Student Diversity,' Seoul ranked 51st.

Among South Korean cities, Busan placed 117th, while Daegu made its debut in the rankings at 131st. Ben Sowter, QS's Senior Vice President, noted that a recent survey of global students highlighted the importance of city safety, quality university education, and comfortable living conditions in choosing a city for long-term study. He emphasized that Seoul meets these criteria exceptionally well. Furthermore, Sowter pointed out that Seoul's rich cultural ecosystem, including K-pop and cinema, along with its top-notch digital infrastructure, contributes to an unparalleled experience for students from around the globe.