The best universities in Switzerland offers an array of subjects for undergraduate and graduate studies. Whether you’re looking to study law, medicine, education, or business, our list of the best schools in Switzerland will help you find the right educational institute for you. Read on to see how the top Switzerland schools ranked.
What Attracts Students to Universities in Switzerland?
Most students appreciate the wide range of programs and the variety of subjects available. International students can get internationally-recognized degrees to work in any part of the world. Switzerland’s rich culture of yodeling, pristine villages, crystal clear lakes, waterfalls, and rivers will attract those who love the outdoors and want to gain international experience.
Switzerland Schools Ranked: An Overview
| Switzerland Rank | World Rank on Times Higher Education | World Rank on US News | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15 | 26 | ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology |
| 2 | 40 | 70 | Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne |
| 3 | 75 | 64 | University of Zurich |
| 4 | 101 | 114 | University of Bern |
| 5 | 103 | 135 | University of Basel |
| 6 | 176 | 184 | University of Lausanne |
| 7 | 197 | 101 | University of Geneva |
| 8 | 301 | Unranked | University of St Gallen |
| 9 | 301 | 625 | Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) |
| 10 | 401 | 490 | University of Fribourg |
The Best Universities in Switzerland, Explained
The best universities in Switzerland are renowned for their teaching style and student support. You can enjoy valuable academic experiences and in-depth theoretical knowledge in an acclaimed research university. The reputation of Swiss universities is globally esteemed.
Below, we list the best schools in Switzerland and examine how Switzerland schools ranked in US News. We will also give you information on their acceptance and graduation rates to help you make an informed decision.
1. ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
- Campus Location(s): Zürich
- Acceptance Rate: 27%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- US News Country Rank: #26
ETH Zurich was founded midway through the 19th century in 1855 and is one of the leading institutes in science and technology. Initially called the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School, this prestigious university is known for its innovation and cutting-edge research. ETH Zurich is in Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland.
The main locations of the campus are in Zurich and on the outskirts of the town. International students in ETH Zurich can participate in leisure and cultural activities, attend conferences and symposiums, and listen to experts in their fields.
2. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne
- Campus Location(s): Lausanne
- Acceptance Rate: 20%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- US News Country Rank: #70
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne is a well-known public university in Switzerland and popular with international students. It was established in 1853 and offers chemistry, natural science, engineering and technology, computer science, life sciences and medicine, physics, and mathematics programs to undergraduate and graduate students.
3. University of Zurich
- Campus Location(s): Zürich
- Acceptance Rate: 27%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- US News Country Rank: #64
Initially founded by a political system, the University of Zurich was established in 1833 and is one of the oldest institutions in the country. It has over 26,000 enrolled students studying through various faculties that offer 100 different subject areas. It also provides a wide range of programs for bachelor’s degrees, master’s degree programs, and doctoral programs.
4. University of Bern
- Campus Location(s): Bern
- Acceptance Rate: 43%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #114
The University of Bern was founded in 1834 and is also one of the oldest universities in this European country. Its rich traditions and long history have made it a globally renowned university. The Swiss university offers natural science, life sciences, medicine, art, humanities, chemistry, social sciences, and management programs.
5. University of Basel
- Campus Location(s): Basel
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #135
The University of Basel is a reputable public university in Switzerland. Public institutions are among the cheapest universities in Switzerland as the government funds them. The school is the oldest university in the country with a long history since 1460. Today the university offers programs to international students like social sciences, life sciences, medicine, engineering and technology, arts and humanities, chemistry, and physics.
6. University of Lausanne
- Campus Location(s): Lausanne
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- US News Country Rank: #184
The University of Lausanne is another old university in Switzerland founded in 1537. It was initially a school of theology and changed into a university after a few decades. The university is research-focused and publicly funded. It offers a broad range of study programs in arts, social sciences, humanities, earth sciences, environmental studies, life sciences, religious studies, business degrees, and medicine.
7. University of Geneva
- Campus Location(s): Geneva
- Acceptance Rate: 20.8%
- Graduation Rate: 66.9%
- US News Country Rank: #101
The University of Geneva was founded in 1559 and is a public university in Switzerland. The urban campus is known for its fields in engineering and technology, life sciences and medicine, arts and humanities, chemistry, medicine, physics, and mathematics. The University of Geneva also boasts a large international student population with 40 percent of students being from other countries.
8. University of St Gallen
- Campus Location(s): St. Gallen
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- US News Country Rank: #Unranked
Established in 1989, the University of St. Gallen is an open research institution that focuses on business administration, economics, law, and international affairs. It is known for its large business education faculty. The international university has another campus at Rosenberg Hill, which offers all the amenities and facilities students need. It provides a high quality of education over 42 research centers and institutes.
9. Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)
- Campus Location(s): Lugano
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #625
Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) is a new university founded in 1995. It is a certified public institution and member of Swiss universities. Even though the university is relatively new, it has a prestigious reputation in Switzerland and worldwide. It has five main faculties covering data science, computational science, communication sciences, architecture, health studies, biomedicine, humanities, medicine, economics, and informatics.
10. University of Fribourg
- Campus Location(s): Fribourg
- Acceptance Rate: 33%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #490
The University of Fribourg was founded in 1580. Since then, it has become a place where students can learn, research, and gain employment. These factors attract students from different parts of the world. The University of Fribourg has five faculties, including science, art, humanities, law, theology, economics, and social sciences.
How We Created Our List of the Best Schools in Switzerland
This list was obtained from independent university ranking sources such as Times Higher Education 2022 World University Rankings. To arrive at the ranking figures, the universities were evaluated by their teaching, citations, and research methods, as well as their international outlook. To complement this information, we used US News Best National University Rankings.
Is a Top University in Switzerland Right for You?
A top university in Switzerland is right for you if you want to study in a safe, clean environment. With options from institutes of technology to business programs, Switzerland has much to offer. Students can rely on a high standard of teaching with world-class doctoral programs.
You can explore the breathtaking Swiss terrain and walk through historic cities in your free time. The country welcomes international students from undergraduates to those studying doctoral programs in the best universities in Switzerland.
Best Universities in Switzerland FAQ
ETH Zurich or the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology is the most prestigious university in Switzerland. The public university is ranked 15th on Times Higher Education’s list of the best schools in Switzerland.
Yes, Switzerland has good universities like ETH Zurich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. Other good universities include the Geneva School Of Diplomacy And International Relations, Swiss Hotel Management School, Glion Institute Of Higher Education, and Geneva Business School.
Yes, Switzerland is expensive for students. Its public institutions are state-funded with a low tuition fee, but the high cost of living may be financially straining for foreign students. Geneva and Zurich are among the most expensive cities.
Bachelor’s degree programs can start from $5,260 to $25,250 per semester in government-funded public universities. The cost of studying in Switzerland depends on your status as a citizen, level of studies, university, and subject choice. For instance, medical degrees tend to be expensive. The same applies to MBA programs and executive master’s degrees. Non-Swiss students pay more.
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