India has made notable progress in the latest QS Best Student Cities 2027 Rankings, with Mumbai emerging as the country’s highest-ranked student city and Delhi earning the distinction of being the world’s most affordable student city. Meanwhile, Seoul retained the No. 1 position globally, reinforcing Asia’s growing influence in international higher education.
The annual rankings, released by global higher education analyst QS Quacquarelli Symonds, evaluate cities on a combination of academic excellence, affordability, employer reputation, student diversity, desirability, and student experience. This year’s results highlight India’s improving position as a higher education destination while also revealing areas that need attention to compete with the world’s leading education hubs.
Key Highlights
- Seoul has been ranked the world’s best student city for 2027.
- Mumbai is India’s highest-ranked student city, climbing to 91st globally.
- Delhi improved to 99th globally and secured the title of the world’s most affordable student city.
- Chennai improved its global ranking, while Bengaluru slipped due in part to comparatively higher tuition costs for international students.
- Only four Indian cities feature in the global top 150 rankings.
Global Top Student Cities Continue to Be Dominated by Asia
The 2027 rankings underline the growing prominence of Asian education hubs.
Top Global Student Cities
- Seoul
- Tokyo
- London
Seoul secured the top position by performing strongly across university quality, graduate employability, student satisfaction, and overall academic environment. The rankings also reflect the increasing attractiveness of East Asian cities for international students seeking world-class education at competitive costs.
Mumbai Emerges as India’s Leading Student Destination
Mumbai climbed seven places to become India’s highest-ranked student city.
The city’s strong performance is supported by:
- Prestigious universities and institutes
- Strong employer presence
- Diverse academic opportunities
- Growing start-up ecosystem
- Expanding internship and placement opportunities
Mumbai’s position demonstrates its importance as India’s financial and educational capital, attracting students from across the country and abroad.
Delhi Becomes the World’s Most Affordable Student City
One of the biggest highlights of this year’s rankings is Delhi’s recognition as the most affordable student city globally.
Delhi achieved the highest score in the affordability indicator because of:
- Comparatively lower tuition fees
- Affordable accommodation options
- Lower living expenses than many global education hubs
- Cost-effective public transportation
- Availability of scholarships and public universities
The city also improved its overall global position from 104th to 99th, reflecting gains in employer activity alongside its affordability advantage.
Performance of Other Indian Cities
Chennai
Chennai registered an improvement in the rankings, reflecting its growing reputation for engineering, medical, and technical education.
Its expanding research ecosystem and relatively affordable education continue to attract students from across India.
Bengaluru
Despite being India’s technology capital, Bengaluru slipped in this year’s rankings.
According to QS, one contributing factor was higher international tuition fees, making it comparatively less affordable than other Indian cities. Nevertheless, Bengaluru remains a preferred destination because of its strong technology ecosystem and employment opportunities.
How QS Ranks Student Cities
The QS Best Student Cities Rankings assess cities using six major indicators:
University Rankings
Quality and reputation of universities located in the city.
Employer Activity
Employment opportunities and graduate demand.
Affordability
Tuition fees, living costs, and overall cost of studying.
Student Mix
Diversity of domestic and international students.
Desirability
Safety, quality of life, environmental conditions, and overall attractiveness.
Student View
Feedback and satisfaction from current students.
Why Affordability Matters More Than Ever
With the rising cost of international education, affordability has become a decisive factor for students and families.
Delhi’s top ranking in affordability demonstrates that Indian cities can offer:
- High-quality education
- Lower tuition costs
- Reasonable living expenses
- Strong academic ecosystems
This advantage may encourage more international students to consider India as a study destination while also reducing financial pressure on domestic students.
India’s Growing Position in Global Higher Education
The rankings reflect India’s expanding higher education ecosystem.
Several factors are contributing to the country’s growing appeal:
- Increasing number of globally recognised universities
- Expansion of multidisciplinary institutions
- Greater emphasis on research and innovation
- National Education Policy (NEP) reforms
- Growing digital education infrastructure
- Improved international collaborations
However, experts believe India must continue improving infrastructure, research output, international student support, and campus experience to compete with the world’s leading education destinations.
