Seoul National University retains top Korean spot as KAIST overtakes Yonsei in 2025 THE rankings

Seoul National University has once again claimed the top spot among Korean universities in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, while Yonsei University has surrendered its second place to KAIST this year.

Seoul National University students pose for a photo during the graduation ceremony in August. The university ranked 62nd in the Times Higher Education 2025 World University Rankings, making it the highest-ranked Korean university. [NEWS1]

Seoul National University has once again claimed the top spot among Korean universities in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, while Yonsei University has surrendered its second place to KAIST this year.

Maintaining its position from the previous year, Seoul National University ranked 62nd in the 2025 THE World University Rankings announced Wednesday.

THE ranks universities based on five criteria: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry. Its 2025 rankings feature 2,092 universities.

Seoul National University scored an overall 73.5 points out of 100, edging up by 0.1 points compared to last year. Research quality was one of the areas it improved, rising by 1.6 points to 76.2. Its international outlook also increased by 1.2 points to 44.9.

KAIST followed, ranking 82nd, slightly up from its previous year's placement of 83rd. This marks KAIST's highest placement, as the university has climbed the rankings for four consecutive years. It is now the second highest-ranked Korean university this year, having placed third the previous year.

The university's international outlook criterion rose by 4.1 points to 45.7, while research quality increased by 0.9 points to 78.3. KAIST has also received full marks in the industry criterion for five consecutive years.

Yonsei University and Sungkyunkwan University shared the title of the third highest-ranked Korean university, both placing at 102nd. Yonsei University slipped from its previous placement of 76th, thus handing its title of the second highest-ranked Korean university to KAIST. Sungkyunkwan University jumped from 145th place last year.

According to Sungkyunkwan University, it rose in the rankings due to higher scores in most categories, particularly in research quality, where it received 79.3 points — an increase of 6.4 points from the previous year.

"The achievement is the result of our enhanced educational and research capabilities, along with our continuous industry-academia partnerships," said a spokesperson for Sungkyunkwan University. "We will continue to create an innovative education and research environment that will strengthen our position as a globally leading university."

Pohang University of Science and Technology ranked 151st, slightly up from its previous placement of 149th.

Korea University ranked 189th, an improvement from its previous rank in the 201 to 250 range. For world rankings below 200, THE assigns a range rather than a specific number.

Sejong University and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) were both placed in the 201 to 250 range. Sejong University rose from its previous year's placement in the 251 to 300 range, while UNIST fell from last year's ranking of 199th.

Hanyang University and Kyung Hee University were both assigned to the 251 to 300 range, with Kyung Hee University maintaining its ranking and Hanyang University rising from the previous year's 301 to 350 range.

Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology held its position in the 351 to 400 range. Chung-Ang University and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology were both assigned to the 401 to 500 range, the same as last year.

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]