China enjoys a culture of innovation and is known globally as a hub of technology and vast cities, but did you know that it is also home to some of the best schools in the world? If you are looking for a place to study in Asia, this article on the best universities in China can help you make an informed decision.
In this article, you’ll find information on how these top China schools ranked internationally and specific details including the acceptance and graduation rates, international ranks, and the most interesting features of each school.
What Attracts Students to Universities in China?
Students from all over the globe are attracted to the elite reputations of universities in China. They are internationally recognized for offering world-class curricula across departments.
While attending one of China’s education institutions, students can admire Chinese architecture, learn essential languages, and experience the many traits of life in China, from cuisine to culture. These schools also have state-of-the-art facilities where students can get the best practical experience for subjects that require hands-on training.
Chinese Schools Ranked: An Overview
| China Rank | World Rank on Times Higher Education | World Rank on US News | Institution |
| 1 | 16 | 26 | Tsinghua University |
| 2 | 16 | 45 | Peking University |
| 3 | 60 | 141 | Fudan University |
| 4 | 75 | 115 | Zhejiang University |
| 5 | 84 | 105 | Shanghai Jiao Tong University |
| 6 | 88 | 110 | University of Science and Technology of China |
| 7 | 105 | 135 | Nanjing University |
| 8 | 157 | 209 | Wuhan University |
| 9 | 162 | 350 | Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) |
| 10 | 181 | 176 | Huazhong University of Science and Technology |
The Best Universities in China, Explained
The list of the best schools in China below contains details obtained directly from the official website of each school in the table above. While most of these schools do not officially state their graduation rates, they tend to be exceptionally high.
1. Tsinghua University
- Campus Location(s): Beijing
- Acceptance Rate: less than 2%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: 26
Tsinghua University is a world-class university in the capital city of Beijing, and remains one of the best education programs that China has to offer. The public research university was founded in 1911 and is most popularly known for its engineering department and research.
This elite university is currently in the same league as MIT and it has even been said to rival the American university in facilities and technological advancements. Prospective students looking into how to get into MIT or similar schools may benefit from learning more about this prestigious university.
2. Peking University
- Campus Location(s): Beijing
- Acceptance Rate: 1%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: 45
Popularly referred to as “Beida” among the locals, Peking University is a major research university in Beijing that was founded in 1898. The hallmark of this highly selective university is its application of academic innovation in creating real-world solutions, with a major focus on the applied sciences. International students are welcome to apply and there is an online learning portal for remote learning.
3. Fudan University
- Campus Location(s): Shanghai
- Acceptance Rate: 1%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: 141
Fudan University in Shanghai is a top choice school especially for international students, offering over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs instructed in the English language. The school’s high research and academic standards make it an ideal place for its popular majors like medical studies and natural sciences including biology and chemistry.
4. Zhejiang University
- Campus Location(s): Hangzhou
- Acceptance Rate: 15%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: 115
Located in the beautiful city of Hangzhou, Zhejiang University continues to maintain one of the best academic reputations since its founding in the Zhejiang province in 1897. Another public research university, Zhejiang offers a top-ranked program in environmental chemistry. This institution is commonly known for producing entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators.
5. Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Campus Location(s): Shanghai
- Acceptance Rate: 32%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: 105
Shanghai Jiao Tong University or SJTU is a public-private university in Shanghai founded in 1896. SJTU is a research-intensive university that uses ultramodern facilities in all of its facilities. The school offers a competitively ranked mechanical engineering program but maintains a great reputation across all academic departments.
6. University of Science and Technology of China
- Campus Location(s): Hefei, Langfang
- Acceptance Rate: 28%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: 110
The University of Science and Technology of China was founded in 1958 in Mainland China to promote innovation that would boost the country’s economy through infrastructural development. Over the years, this public university has become popular across the globe thanks to its technology research output. It is sometimes referred to as the “Caltech of China.”
7. Nanjing University
- Campus Location(s): Nanjing, Jiangsu
- Acceptance Rate: 18%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: 135
Nanjing University makes the list of the best universities in China due to its role in promoting Chinese growth and development. The globally popular theory of Marxism is said to have been integrated into Chinese society by Nanjing University students and faculty. Today, this comprehensive institution continues to take a leading role in research and political innovation.
8. Wuhan University
- Campus Location(s): Wuhan, Hubei
- Acceptance Rate: 20%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: 209
Wuhan University was founded in 1893 as the national research university of China. Like other historic and prestigious Chinese universities, Wuhan maintains a great reputation and offers highly-ranked degrees in computer science and civil engineering. It’s also known as the most beautiful university in China due to a royal garden of cherry blossoms on the campus grounds.
9. Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech)
- Campus Location(s): Shenzhen, Guangdong
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: 350
Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) is one of China’s newest universities, but it has quickly gained its reputation as one of the best. This university in mainland China is popularly known for its highly ranked science and engineering departments, including physical chemistry, nanotechnology, and physics.
10. Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- Campus Location(s): Hubei, Wuhan, Guanshan Subdistrict, Hongshan District
- Acceptance Rate: 36%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: 176
Huazhong University of Science and Technology was founded in 1952 as one of three higher institutions developed to promote innovative ideas for Chinese development. It is most popularly known for managing the Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics (WNLO), offering students opportunities for hands-on experience in related fields. It also offers a highly ranked mechanical engineering program.
How We Created Our List of the Best Schools in China
In order to create our list, we followed the Times Higher Education 2022 World University Rankings. This ranking was created by evaluating teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry outcomes of over 1,600 institutions from around the world. Complementary information was retrieved from the US News & World Report’s Best National University Rankings.
Is a Top University in China Right for You?
If you’re a student looking to experience Chinese culture and world-class education, a Chinese university may be right for you. International students tend to enjoy a higher acceptance rate as long as they meet the requirements of the Chinese admissions board. If you are not quite ready for university, you can start with one of the best coding bootcamps in Shanghai.
Best Universities in China FAQ
Beijing Language and Culture University, University of International Business and Economics, Peking University, and Shanghai Jiaotong University are some of the best universities in China for international students due to their language course options. Zhejiang University, Sun Yat-Sen University, Fudan University, and East China Normal University are also great options for foreign students.
Yes, China is a good place to study. Over the last few years, the country has gained a reputation as one of the top destinations for international students from different parts of the globe. Chinese educational institutions consistently have high international rankings.
Peking University and Tsinghua University are two of the most famous schools in China. These world-class universities are taking the lead in academic research in the country. They are also equally ranked as the 16th best universities in the world by Times Higher Education.
Beida is the Harvard of China because of its incredibly selective admissions process. Beida is the common name for Peking University, one of the best schools in China with a 1% acceptance rate for local students.
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