The QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings are out, and this year, four Indian cities have secured places among the world's top 150 student destinations. The annual index, compiled by global higher education analyst QS Quacquarelli Symonds, evaluates 150 cities across six indicators: university rankings, employer activity, affordability, desirability, student mix, and student view, offering a comprehensive picture of the world's best places to study.

This year, Delhi has been recognised as the world's most affordable city for students, while Mumbai has emerged as India's highest-ranked student city, underlining the country's growing appeal as a higher education destination.

The rankings also reveal the strengths and weaknesses of Indian cities: from affordability and employment opportunities to student satisfaction and global academic reputation.

Globally, Seoul retained its position as the world's best student city, followed by Tokyo in second place and London in third, with Asian and European cities continuing to dominate the list through a combination of academic excellence, career prospects, and quality of life.

QS BEST STUDENT CITIES 2027: INDIA’S POSITION

| City | Overall Ranking | Overall Score | Student View | Employer Activity | Desirability | Affordability | University Rankings |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Mumbai | 91 | 61.8 | 43.5 | 78.3 | 44.9 | 84.4 | 39.0 |
| Delhi | 99 | 60.3 | 14.6 | 80.4 | 35.8 | 93.9 | 50.3 |
| Bangalore | 114 | 56.1 | 51.1 | 66.8 | 37.5 | 77.2 | 26.4 |
| Chennai | 123 | 54.0 | 15.3 | 64.6 | 44.7 | 74.7 | 43.1 |

The QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings show that Mumbai remains India's highest-ranked student city at 91st globally, driven by strong employer activity (78.3), good affordability (84.4), and a solid rankings score (39), making it the country's most balanced higher education hub.

Delhi follows at 99th, benefiting from the strongest employer activity among Indian cities (80.4) and excellent affordability (93.9), although its low student view score (14.6) pulls down its overall performance.

Bangalore, ranked 114th, stands out for having the highest student view score (51.1), reflecting its popularity among students, but its weaker university rankings (26.4) and moderate employer activity affect its position.

Chennai, at 123rd, performs well on desirability (44.7) and affordability (74.7) but lags in student perception (15.3) and employer activity (64.6). Overall, the rankings suggest that while Indian cities remain attractive for affordability and employment opportunities, improvements in student experience, global academic reputation, and overall desirability are needed to compete with leading international student destinations.

QS BEST STUDENT CITIES 2027: OVERALL TOP 10

| City | Overall Ranking | Overall Score | Student View | Employer Activity | Desirability | Affordability | University Rankings |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Seoul | 1 | 100.0 | 77.9 | 94.1 | 89.0 | 52.4 | 100.0 |
| Tokyo | 2 | 98.0 | 84.7 | 100.0 | 94.0 | 53.5 | 81.4 |
| London | 3 | 97.3 | 99.0 | 92.5 | 81.6 | 14.4 | 98.0 |
| Melbourne | 4 | 94.8 | 98.1 | 87.4 | 84.4 | 26.8 | 70.9 |
| Munich | 5 | 94.1 | 93.1 | 89.5 | 92.5 | 41.0 | 61.1 |
| Sydney | 5 | 94.1 | 95.9 | 85.6 | 90.2 | 23.7 | 70.0 |
| Paris | 7 | 92.5 | 81.4 | 87.2 | 83.7 | 42.4 | 79.5 |
| Berlin | 8 | 91.8 | 100.0 | 81.9 | 82.3 | 52.2 | 57.0 |
| Vienna | 9 | 90.9 | 90.3 | 75.6 | 96.8 | 53.6 | 43.8 |
| Zurich | 10 | 90.6 | 95.2 | 81.0 | 88.2 | 25.9 | 63.7 |

The QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings are dominated by Asian and European destinations, with Seoul retaining the top spot through its strong university reputation, employer activity, and desirability. Tokyo ranked second, benefiting from a perfect employer activity score, while London came third, excelling in student satisfaction and academic reputation despite being one of the least affordable cities.

The remainder of the top 10: Melbourne, Munich, Sydney, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and Zurich, offer a strong mix of academic excellence, career opportunities, and quality of life. Overall, the rankings show that while leading student cities continue to excel in education and employability, affordability remains a key challenge for students worldwide.

- Ends

Published By:

Karan Yadav

Published On:

Jul 22, 2026 11:05 IST