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Top Universities in China

Peking University leads the 398 universities in China at #14 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Tsinghua University (QS World #20) and Fudan University (QS World #30) complete the top three. Across the whole list there are 152 courses to choose from.

398 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
341Ranked
NT Neijiang Teacher University logo
China

Neijiang Teacher University

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
Not yet ranked No QS position or research record found
343Ranked
BN Beijing New Asia University logo
China

Beijing New Asia University

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
Not yet ranked No QS position or research record found
349Ranked
SE Shandong Economic University logo
China

Shandong Economic University

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
Not yet ranked No QS position or research record found
351Ranked
SM Shanghai Medical University logo
China

Shanghai Medical University

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
Not yet ranked No QS position or research record found
352Ranked
ST Shanghai TieDao University logo
China

Shanghai TieDao University

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
Not yet ranked No QS position or research record found
357Ranked
TM Tongji Medical University logo
China

Tongji Medical University

Public University · 0 courses

No course listed yet for this search — see the university's full profile.

—Tuition (indicative)
—Founded
—Students
—International
Admissions open
Not yet ranked No QS position or research record found

By university type

How these universities are ranked

37 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #14 (Peking University) to #565 (Nanjing University of Science and Technology); they are listed first, in that order. Below them, universities follow their research output: Tsinghua University is cited most (34,442,490 citations). 93 universities have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".

Public, private and where they are

398 are public and 0 private (100% public). By location, Beijing (2), Shanghai (2) and Zhejiang (1) account for the most of those we can place. The oldest is Tianjin University, founded in 1895. Sun Yat-Sen University is the largest, with 71,104 students.

Inside the course list

By level: 138 bachelor's, 6 phd / doctorate, 4 master's and 1 diploma. The most common subjects are Languages & Linguistics (38), Engineering (20), Agriculture & Environment (19) and Business & Management (13). The usual length is 4 years and 4–6 years. 100% are full-time. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (95% of courses with a stated intake). Zhejiang Forestry University offers the widest choice, with 47 of these courses.

What it costs

We hold indicative fees for 5 of these universities. Zhejiang University is the least expensive at USD 4,000 a year and Tsinghua University the most at USD 5,000; the middle of the range is about USD 4,500. Check each university's own fee page before you budget — figures change every year.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top universities in China?

Peking University (QS World #14), Tsinghua University (QS World #20) and Fudan University (QS World #30) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

Which is the cheapest university in China?

Of those with published fees, Zhejiang University is the least expensive at about USD 4,000 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.

How many universities in China are public?

398 public and 0 private universities are on this list.

How long does a course take in China?

Most listed courses run 4 years, with 4–6 years the next most common.

When do courses start in China?

Fall is the main intake — 100% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Spring is the second.

Which university has the most courses in China?

Zhejiang Forestry University, with 47, ahead of Shanghai International Studies University (47).

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