QS Best Student Cities 2026: As per the 2026 QS Best Student Cities Rankings issued by London-based QS Quacquarelli Symonds, four Indian cities Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai have made it to the global top 130 student destinations. Delhi has been rated as the most affordable city in the world for students.
All four cities improved their positions this year, which reflects India's increasing popularity in international higher education. Mumbai jumped 15 points to 98, and Delhi jumped 7 positions to 104. Bengaluru registered the best improvement among the Indian cities, moving 22 places to 108. Chennai also registered good improvement, moving 12 places to reach 128.
Affordability emerged as a major strength for Indian cities. Besides Delhi’s top global rank for affordability, Mumbai and Bengaluru also feature among the 15 most affordable cities, reinforcing India’s position as a cost-effective study destination.
The ranks also emphasise good graduate jobs in India. Delhi and Mumbai joined the world's top 50 for employer activity, while Bengaluru rose 41 ranks to 59th, and Chennai gained 29 positions, indicating growing awareness of Indian graduates among employers worldwide.
This year's rankings also registered a change in world leadership. Seoul has replaced London as the world's top student city, breaking a six-year London hold on the position. London fell to number three, mostly because of falling affordability—it now ranks 137th in that category.
QS ranks cities according to aspects like affordability, desirability, student diversity, employer activity, and university rankings. Eligibility is a population of 250,000 minimum and two universities in the QS World University Rankings minimum. Feedback from more than 100,000 survey responses is also included to measure student satisfaction and city desirability.
QS Best Student Cities 2026: Check Top The List Of 50 Student Cities In The World
Rank 1: Seoul
Rank 2: Tokyo
Rank 3:London
Rank 4: Munich
Rank 5: Melbourne
Rank 6: Sydney
Rank 7: Berlin, Paris
Rank 9: Zurich
Rank 10: Vienna
Rank 11: Singapore
Rank 12: Kuala Lumpur
Rank 13: Beijing
Rank 14: Taipei
Rank 15: Boston, Edinburgh
Rank 17: Hong Kong
Rank 18: Kyoto, Montreal
Rank 20: Amsterdam
Rank 21: Lausanne
Rank 22: Toronto
Rank 23: New York
Rank 24: Stockholm
Rank 25: Auckland
Rank 26: Brisbane
Rank 27: Shanghai
Rank 28: Madrid
Rank 29: Prague, Vancouver
Rank 31: Adelaide
Rank 32: Buenos Aires
Rank 33: Leuven
Rank 34: Copenhagen
Rank 35: Barcelona, Glasgow
Rank 37: Perth
Rank 38: Canberra, Dublin
Rank 40: Manchester
Rank 41: Newcastle Upon Tyne, San Francisco
Rank 43: Los Angeles
Rank 44: Milan
Rank 45: Coventry
Rank 46: Rome
Rank 47: Bristol, Chicago
Rank 49: Nottingham
Rank 50: Santiago.
