In 2023, South Korea had 202 universities and 133 junior colleges. Generally, a university has a four-year curriculum, and a junior college has a two- or three-year curriculum for technical training courses.
Change in the number of universities
The number of universities in South Korea increased significantly until 2000, but gradually declined. This is related mainly to the government's policy of university restructuring due to a decrease in the school-age population. Especially in the case of junior colleges, the number has gradually decreased since 2005 as they were merged into universities run by the same corporation or reorganized into four-year universities.
Public vs. private universities
Higher education institutions in South Korea are also divided into public and private institutions. Public institutions include national and public universities that carry out various government-supported projects. Seoul National University, a national university located in Seoul, is one of South Korea's most prestigious universities. In the case of private universities, university administration is more flexible and sometimes operates with private companies. For example, Sungkyunkwan University was acquired by the Samsung Group.
Number of higher education institutions in South Korea from 1980 to 2023, by type
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Universities
Junior colleges
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The figures do not include distance universities, open universities, corporate universities, and graduate schools. Industrial universities and universities of education are included.
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Statistics Korea. (October 26, 2023). Number of higher education institutions in South Korea from 1980 to 2023, by type [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/648374/south-korea-higher-educational-institutions-number/
Statistics Korea. "Number of higher education institutions in South Korea from 1980 to 2023, by type." Chart. October 26, 2023. Statista. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/648374/south-korea-higher-educational-institutions-number/
Statistics Korea. (2023). Number of higher education institutions in South Korea from 1980 to 2023, by type. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/648374/south-korea-higher-educational-institutions-number/
Statistics Korea. "Number of Higher Education Institutions in South Korea from 1980 to 2023, by Type." Statista, Statista Inc., 26 Oct 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/648374/south-korea-higher-educational-institutions-number/
Statistics Korea, Number of higher education institutions in South Korea from 1980 to 2023, by type Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/648374/south-korea-higher-educational-institutions-number/ (last visited July 22, 2024)
Number of higher education institutions in South Korea from 1980 to 2023, by type [Graph], Statistics Korea, October 26, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/648374/south-korea-higher-educational-institutions-number/