Best Student Cities
Looking to study abroad? Check out the Best Student Cities 2026 to discover the top locations for students around the globe. Seoul has claimed the top spot in this year's ranking, surpassing London as the number one student city. With Tokyo following closely behind in second place, both of the top student cities are now located in Asia. Learn more about studying in South Korea as an international student, or explore the methodology behind compiling these rankings. Get ready to embark on an exciting academic journey in one of the world's most student-friendly cities!
Displaying 150 cities
41
Newcastle Upon Tyne
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
80.7
Student View
87.1
Student Mix
90
Employer Activity
68.5
Desirability
70.2
Affordability
24.6
Rankings
56.2
41
San Francisco
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
80.7
Student View
85.3
Student Mix
74
Employer Activity
92.7
Desirability
67.6
Affordability
8.8
Rankings
68.4
43
Los Angeles
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
79.5
Student View
90.8
Student Mix
71.7
Employer Activity
89.6
Desirability
65.6
Affordability
9.2
Rankings
64
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44
Milan
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
78.3
Student View
70.4
Student Mix
77.4
Employer Activity
84
Desirability
69.3
Affordability
24.8
Rankings
59.1
45
Coventry
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
76.2
Student View
81.3
Student Mix
94.9
Employer Activity
63.8
Desirability
65.3
Affordability
19.6
Rankings
49.6
46
Rome
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
75.9
Student View
67
Student Mix
64.4
Employer Activity
69.4
Desirability
72.2
Affordability
56.9
Rankings
43.1
47
Bristol
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
75.4
Student View
87.6
Student Mix
90.9
Employer Activity
57.2
Desirability
69.3
Affordability
15.1
Rankings
50.4
47
Chicago
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
75.4
Student View
79.9
Student Mix
72.5
Employer Activity
83.2
Desirability
58.7
Affordability
9.2
Rankings
67.3
49
Nottingham
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
75.3
Student View
85.5
Student Mix
93.2
Employer Activity
51
Desirability
69.3
Affordability
22.9
Rankings
48.4
50
Santiago
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
75.2
Student View
63.6
Student Mix
52.7
Employer Activity
80.7
Desirability
53.9
Affordability
56.8
Rankings
61.8
51
Leeds
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
75
Student View
81.8
Student Mix
88.3
Employer Activity
59.5
Desirability
71.4
Affordability
19.1
Rankings
48.8
52
Gothenburg
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
74.9
Student View
83.8
Student Mix
84
Employer Activity
50
Desirability
71.6
Affordability
37.7
Rankings
41.1
53
Brussels
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
74.7
Student View
67.8
Student Mix
85.7
Employer Activity
61.6
Desirability
71.6
Affordability
46.8
Rankings
33.8
54
Lyon
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
74.5
Student View
73.4
Student Mix
74
Employer Activity
53.2
Desirability
66.4
Affordability
59.1
Rankings
40
55
Bangkok
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
74.4
Student View
70.1
Student Mix
40.7
Employer Activity
68.2
Desirability
57.7
Affordability
79.1
Rankings
49.9
56
Warsaw
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
74.1
Student View
88
Student Mix
55.6
Employer Activity
74.8
Desirability
59.6
Affordability
54.2
Rankings
32.1
57
Brno
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
73.4
Student View
85.9
Student Mix
87.9
Employer Activity
38
Desirability
66.5
Affordability
62
Rankings
20.5
58
Lisbon
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
73.2
Student View
53.6
Student Mix
93.1
Employer Activity
64.4
Desirability
81.7
Affordability
29.6
Rankings
37.3
59
Birmingham
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
73
Student View
86.1
Student Mix
80.1
Employer Activity
53.2
Desirability
68.4
Affordability
18.2
Rankings
52.8
60
Helsinki
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
72.7
Student View
57.6
Student Mix
66.5
Employer Activity
68.8
Desirability
93.1
Affordability
26
Rankings
45.5