571 Best Public Universities in Japan

University of Tokyo leads the 571 Public universities in Japan at #36 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Kyoto University (QS World #51) and Institute of Science Tokyo (QS World #84) complete the top three. The universities on this list offer 537 matching courses between them.

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Level

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Location

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Universities 571 Programs 537 Scholarships 223

571 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

337Ranked

#337 in Japan Japan

Beppu University

Public University · 1 course

専攻科初等教育専攻

—Tuition (indicative)

1908Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#337 in Japan · by research impact

13,493 citations · h-index 50

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338Ranked

#338 in Japan Japan

Konan Women's University

Public University · 1 course

看護学研究科

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#338 in Japan · by research impact

13,457 citations · h-index 54

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339Ranked

#339 in Japan Japan

Jobu University

Public University · 1 course

看護学科Bachelor's Degree

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#339 in Japan · by research impact

13,111 citations · h-index 53

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340Ranked

#340 in Japan Japan

Tezukayama Gakuin University

Public University · 0 courses

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

—Tuition (indicative)

1966Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#340 in Japan · by research impact

12,694 citations · h-index 59

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341Ranked

#341 in Japan Japan

Nagoya Women's 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

#341 in Japan · by research impact

12,655 citations · h-index 52

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342Ranked

#342 in Japan Japan

Public University · 1 course

法曹養成研究科（法科大学院）Professional

—Tuition (indicative)

1882Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#347 in Japan · by research impact

11,898 citations · h-index 49

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348Ranked

#348 in Japan Japan

Kure 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

#348 in Japan · by research impact

11,697 citations · h-index 44

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349Ranked

#349 in Japan Japan

Kyoto Tachibana Women's University

Public University · 0 courses

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

—Tuition (indicative)

1967Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#349 in Japan · by research impact

11,572 citations · h-index 35

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350Ranked

#350 in Japan Japan

Tokyo Keizai University

Public University · 0 courses

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

—Tuition (indicative)

1898Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#350 in Japan · by research impact

11,316 citations · h-index 47

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351Ranked

#351 in Japan Japan

Nagoya University of Commerce and Business Administration

Public University · 0 courses

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

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#351 in Japan · by research impact

11,178 citations · h-index 48

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352Ranked

#352 in Japan Japan

Kyoto City University of Arts

Public University · 1 course

博士（後期）課程PhD / Doctorate

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#352 in Japan · by research impact

11,158 citations · h-index 46

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353Ranked

#353 in Japan Japan

Kanda University of International Studies

Public University · 0 courses

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

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#353 in Japan · by research impact

10,928 citations · h-index 56

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354Ranked

#354 in Japan Japan

Ibaraki Christian College

Public University · 1 course

看護学研究科看護学専攻Master's Degree

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#354 in Japan · by research impact

10,820 citations · h-index 41

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355Ranked

#355 in Japan Japan

Daito Bunka University

Public University · 1 course

スポーツ・健康科学研究科Master's Degree

—Tuition (indicative)

1923Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#355 in Japan · by research impact

10,759 citations · h-index 50

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356Ranked

#356 in Japan Japan

Shimonoseki City 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

#356 in Japan · by research impact

10,606 citations · h-index 41

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357Ranked

#357 in Japan Japan

Seinan Gakuin 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

#357 in Japan · by research impact

9,881 citations · h-index 45

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358Ranked

#358 in Japan Japan

Hiroshima Bunkyo Women's 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

#358 in Japan · by research impact

9,878 citations · h-index 43

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359Ranked

#359 in Japan Japan

Osaka College of Music

Public University · 0 courses

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

—Tuition (indicative)

—Founded

—Students

—International

Admissions open

#359 in Japan · by research impact

9,830 citations · h-index 48

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360Ranked

#360 in Japan Japan

Otemae 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

#360 in Japan · by research impact

9,634 citations · h-index 17

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Public Master's Universities Master's Universities Public Bachelor's Universities Bachelor's Universities Public Medicine & Health Sciences Universities Medicine & Health Sciences Universities Public Social Sciences & Psychology Universities Social Sciences & Psychology Universities Public Education Universities Education Universities

How these universities are ranked

16 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #36 (University of Tokyo) to #539 (Hitotsubashi University); they are listed first, in that order. The rest are ordered by research impact. University of Tokyo has the largest research record in this group, with 47,606,905 citations and an h-index of 1,406. 54 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

The split is 571 public to 0 private institutions. By location, Kantō (2), Kansai (2) and Tōhoku (1) account for the most of those we can place. The oldest is Otani University, founded in 1665. University of Tokyo is the largest, with 28,000 students.

Levels, lengths and start dates

By level: 268 bachelor's, 150 master's, 31 phd / doctorate and 12 professional. The most common subjects are Social Sciences & Psychology (92), Medicine & Health Sciences (82), Business & Management (57) and Education (42). The usual length is 4 years and 1–2 years. 99% are full-time and 4 can be studied online. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (91% of courses with a stated intake). Aoyama Gakuin University offers the widest choice, with 38 of these courses.

What it costs

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

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best university in Japan for Public?

University of Tokyo (QS World #36), Kyoto University (QS World #51) and Institute of Science Tokyo (QS World #84) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

Which is the cheapest university for Public in Japan?

Of those with published fees, University of Tokyo is the least expensive at about USD 5,000 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.

How many public universities offer Public in Japan?

571 public and 0 private universities are on this list.

How long does a Public course take in Japan?

Most listed courses run 4 years, with 1–2 years the next most common.

When do Public courses start in Japan?

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

Can I study Public online with a university in Japan?

4 of these courses are listed as online.

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