Number of higher education institutions South Korea 1980-2024, by type

In 2024, South Korea had 201 universities and 131 junior colleges. Typically, universities offer a four-year curriculum, while junior colleges offer a two- or three-year curriculum for technical training courses.

Shrinking universities

The number of universities in South Korea experienced significant growth until 2000, but then gradually declined. This is mainly attributed to the government's policy of university restructuring in response to a decrease in the school-age population. In particular, the number of junior colleges has steadily decreased since 2005, as many were merged into universities operated by the same corporation or reorganized into four-year universities.

Public vs. private universities

In South Korea, higher education institutions are divided into public and private institutions. Public institutions, such as national universities, receive government support for various projects. Seoul National University, located in Seoul, is one of the country's most prestigious national universities. Private universities have more flexible administration and sometimes collaborate with private companies. For instance, Sungkyunkwan University was acquired by the Samsung Group.