Delhi has been recognized as the world’s most affordable city for students in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 ranking. While Delhi secured the top position globally for affordability, Mumbai emerged as India’s best-ranked student city in the overall list.The rankings, released on Tuesday by global higher education analysts QS Quacquarelli Symonds, assess 150 cities around the world based on factors that influence student life and higher education. These include university quality, employer activity, affordability, convenience, student mix and student experience.
Delhi leads the world in affordability
Delhi earned the top spot globally in the affordability category. According to the report, the average annual international tuition fee in the national capital is about US$2,700, making quality higher education comparatively affordable.The city’s performance was also supported by good employment prospects. Delhi was ranked 29th globally for employer activity, reflecting good demand for graduates among recruiters and industries.The combination of affordable education and promising career opportunities helped Delhi strengthen its position in global rankings.
Mumbai emerges as India’s top rated student city
Mumbai is the most successful Indian city in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 overall ranking and is ranked 91st in the world.Also, Mumbai was ranked 34th in employer activity, signifying good employability of graduates. In terms of affordability, Mumbai is ranked 12th in the world, making it one of the affordable places for higher education despite being one of the largest metropolises in India.The report says the city’s combination of top universities, job prospects and low-cost education continues to attract students from around the world.
Chennai and Bangalore also figure in the ranking
Apart from Delhi and Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore also secured places in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 ranking.Chennai was ranked 123rd globally, while Bangalore was placed 114th. According to QS, Bengaluru recorded the highest international tuition fees among the four Indian cities included in the ranking, averaging around $5,400 per year.
How QS ranks the best student cities in the world
The QS Best Student Cities rankings assess destinations using six broad indicators:
- University quality
- Activity of the entrepreneur
- affordability
- desirability
- Mix of students
- Student view
These categories are measured across 23 individual indicators, using data collected from QS surveys as well as independent third-party sources.To qualify for the rankings, a city must have a population of more than 250,000 and host at least two universities listed in the QS World University Rankings.
World rankings led by Seoul
Globally, Seoul was named the world’s best student city in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 ranking. Tokyo secured second place, followed by London in third place.Melbourne took fourth place, while Munich and Sydney shared fifth place. Paris was seventh, followed by Berlin, Vienna and Zurich in the top 10.Among other top Asian destinations, Singapore took 11th place, Beijing secured 12th place and Kuala Lumpur took 15th place.The QS rankings continue to serve as an important global benchmark for students choosing higher education destinations, providing information on academic quality, affordability, employment opportunities and student life in general.