Top 10 schools in K-universities Global Excellence Rankings 2026. Photo: The Korea Times

As global competition reshapes higher education, The Korea Times has announced the first-ever K-universities Global Excellence Rankings 2026, designed not only to assess universities’ global readiness but also to serve as a reliable reference for international students considering South Korea as a study destination.

Korea University ranked first in the overall standings with 144.86 points, followed by Seoul National University with 141.48 and Yonsei University with 140.33. Sungkyunkwan University, Hanyang University, Sogang University, University of Seoul, Ewha Womans University, Kyung Hee University and Dongguk University rounded out the Top 10.

Although Seoul-based universities dominated the top tier, the rankings also highlighted notable performances by regional flagships and specialized institutions. Kyungpook National University, Pusan National University and Jeonbuk National University secured places within the Top 30, while Woosong University and Handong Global University were recognized for their strong globalization focus.

Unlike other evaluations, this ranking gives unprecedented weight — 63.2 percent — to globalization indicators, setting it apart as the most internationalization-focused benchmark to date. The evaluation covered 54 four-year universities nationwide, with a total of 190 points distributed across four categories: 60 for education, 50 for research, 40 for student support and 40 for graduate outcomes.

The evaluation was based on publicly available and verifiable data, drawing on sources such as Higher Education in South Korea from the Ministry of Education and Naver Scholytics. The framework was developed by The Korea Times’ evaluation team in conjunction with six experts in university globalization, to ensure credibility and transparency.