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
80
Ottawa
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
65.4
Student View
80.3
Student Mix
82.3
Employer Activity
35.6
Desirability
73.6
Affordability
22.1
Rankings
27.4
80
Atlanta
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
65.4
Student View
70.5
Student Mix
66.4
Employer Activity
64.1
Desirability
59.3
Affordability
12.1
Rankings
49.2
83
Valencia
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
65.2
Student View
57
Student Mix
75.3
Employer Activity
33.4
Desirability
78.7
Affordability
57.2
Rankings
18.9
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84
Riyadh
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
64.7
Student View
70.5
Student Mix
51.4
Employer Activity
60.4
Desirability
50.7
Affordability
38.8
Rankings
46.4
85
Doha
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
64.4
Student View
60.5
Student Mix
61.1
Employer Activity
43.6
Desirability
66.3
Affordability
42.5
Rankings
42.5
86
Aberdeen
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
64.1
Student View
72.8
Student Mix
77.2
Employer Activity
40.9
Desirability
70.9
Affordability
26.9
Rankings
26.2
87
San Diego
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
64
Student View
64.7
Student Mix
62.7
Employer Activity
53.4
Desirability
68.6
Affordability
12.7
Rankings
52.3
88
Manila
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
63.9
Student View
57
Student Mix
31.2
Employer Activity
68.4
Desirability
37.2
Affordability
85.3
Rankings
35.2
89
Pittsburgh
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
63.7
Student View
58.2
Student Mix
70.5
Employer Activity
65.1
Desirability
54.6
Affordability
12.8
Rankings
52.1
90
Wuhan
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
63.6
Student View
59.7
Student Mix
41
Employer Activity
35.2
Desirability
46.4
Affordability
83.4
Rankings
46.9
91
Almaty
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
63.5
Student View
35.6
Student Mix
67.8
Employer Activity
56.4
Desirability
27
Affordability
72
Rankings
53.3
92
Tainan
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
62.2
Student View
46.5
Student Mix
41.3
Employer Activity
43.7
Desirability
60.6
Affordability
85.9
Rankings
27.7
92
Brighton
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
62.2
Student View
89.3
Student Mix
79.3
Employer Activity
29.1
Desirability
68.7
Affordability
14
Rankings
25.6
94
Christchurch
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
62.1
Student View
49.1
Student Mix
74.8
Employer Activity
43.2
Desirability
71
Affordability
38.8
Rankings
28.6
95
Gold Coast
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
61.9
Student View
50.8
Student Mix
86.3
Employer Activity
33.3
Desirability
73.8
Affordability
30
Rankings
30.2
96
Seattle
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
61.8
Student View
53.6
Student Mix
72.7
Employer Activity
49
Desirability
67
Affordability
12.5
Rankings
49.1
97
Beirut
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
61.7
Student View
60.3
Student Mix
56.4
Employer Activity
66.4
Desirability
36.3
Affordability
45.9
Rankings
37.8
98
Mumbai
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
61.6
Student View
48.5
Student Mix
9.8
Employer Activity
77
Desirability
42.2
Affordability
86.3
Rankings
39.1
99
Johannesburg
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
61.4
Student View
67.3
Student Mix
50.3
Employer Activity
38.2
Desirability
40.6
Affordability
75.7
Rankings
29.7
99
Bogota
2026 Best Student Cities
Score
61.4
Student View
41.9
Student Mix
28.5
Employer Activity
73.5
Desirability
44.5
Affordability
65.6
Rankings
48