Planning to study abroad and considering Asia? Seoul and Tokyo may be on your list. Both cities feature among the major student destinations in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings. The two cities differ across several areas, including student experience, the mix of students, employer activity and affordability. Their universities also offer a range of options for international students.
The QS scores can help students compare the two destinations, but the final choice will also depend on the course they want to pursue, their career plans, budget, and lifestyle.
Student View
The Student View score is based on students' experiences of living and studying in a city, as well as the number of students who choose to remain there after graduation.
- Seoul: 77.9
- Tokyo: 84.7
Tokyo has a higher score than Seoul in this category.
Student Mix
The Student Mix score looks at the size and diversity of the student population, including the share of international students.
- Seoul: 80.1
- Tokyo: 70.1
Seoul scores higher than Tokyo on this measure.
Employer Activity
Employer Activity reflects the strength of the job market for young people and employers' views of graduates from the city.
- Seoul: 94.1
- Tokyo: 100
Tokyo leads Seoul in this category. Students, however, may want to look beyond the overall score and check employment opportunities in their chosen field.
Affordability
The affordability score considers factors related to the cost of living and studying in a city.
- Seoul: 52.4
- Tokyo: 53.5
The difference between the two cities is small, with Tokyo scoring slightly higher. Students should also compare the costs they are likely to face, particularly accommodation, food, and transport.
Top Universities In Seoul And Tokyo
The QS World University Rankings 2027 list several universities in Seoul and Tokyo among the world's top institutions.
Seoul
- Seoul National University - 38th
- Yonsei University - 42nd
- Korea University - 52nd
- Sungkyunkwan University - 108th
Tokyo
- The University of Tokyo - 39th
- Institute of Science Tokyo - 97th
- Waseda University - 201st
- Keio University - 213th
Seoul and Tokyo both have strong academic credentials, but their scores show differences in student experience, student mix, employment prospects, and affordability. Students comparing the two destinations can use these factors alongside their university and course preferences before making a decision.