December 22, 2025 Edition
A mobile-first, magazine-inspired index with profiles, filters, comparison, and editorial picks. Works without JavaScript; enhanced with fast client-side interactions.
Tsinghua is a public research university in Beijing and is widely considered the best engineering and computer science school in China. It is part of the elite "C9 League" and is known for producing many of China's top political leaders and scientists.
Established in 1898, Peking University ("PKU") in Beijing is the first modern national university in China. It is historically known for its role in the New Culture Movement and the Tiananmen Square protests. PKU is highly regarded for its humanities, social sciences, and fundamental science research.
USTC is a public research university in Hefei. It was founded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in 1958 and is focused on frontier science and high-technology development.
Zhejiang University, located in Hangzhou, is one of China's oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning. A member of the C9 League, it is a comprehensive research university with exceptional strengths in engineering, technology, and agriculture. The university is a major hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in eastern China.
Fudan University is a leading public research university in Shanghai and a member of the elite C9 League. Established in 1905, it is highly regarded for its liberal arts tradition and its powerhouse programs in international relations, humanities, and clinical medicine. It is known for its rigorous academic environment and its central role in China's higher education system.
Nanjing University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China, with roots dating back to 1902. A member of the C9 League, it is renowned for its excellence in fundamental sciences, humanities, and social sciences. The university has a long tradition of academic rigor and is considered one of the birthplaces of modern science in China.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) is one of China's most prestigious and oldest universities, founded in 1896. A member of the C9 League, it is a global powerhouse in engineering, computer science, and marine technology. The university is also home to the highly ranked Antai College of Economics and Management.
Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) in Guangzhou is a top-tier public research university in China, founded in 1924. it is highly regarded for its comprehensive strengths in the humanities, social sciences, and medicine. SYSU is a member of the Double First-Class Construction project and a major driver of development in South China.
Beijing Normal University (BNU) is a prestigious public research university in Beijing and a key member of the Double First-Class Construction project. It is widely considered China's leading institution for teacher education, psychology, and educational sciences. With a history rooted in the Faculty of Education of Imperial University of Peking established in 1902, BNU now maintains a comprehensive research profile that includes strong programs in the humanities and social sciences.
Nankai University is a prestigious public research university in Tianjin, China, founded in 1919. It has a high national reputation for its excellence in mathematics, chemistry, and economics. Nankai is a member of the Double First-Class Construction project and is known for its rigorous academic tradition.
Wuhan University is one of China's most prestigious and historic public research universities, founded in 1893. it is known for its exceptionally beautiful campus and its excellence in water resource engineering, geodesy, and law. The university is a member of the Double First-Class Construction project.
Central South University (CSU) is a leading public research university in Changsha, China. it is a world-class center for research in metallurgy, civil engineering, and clinical medicine. CSU is a key member of Project 985 and is known for its massive research output and technological innovation.
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) is an elite technical university and a member of the C9 League. founded in 1920, it is China's leading institution for aerospace engineering and space research. HIT is known for its high research output and its vital role in the national space program.
Hunan University in Changsha is a prestigious public research university with roots dating back to the Yuelu Academy founded in 976 AD. it is highly regarded for its industrial design and civil engineering programs. The university is a key member of Project 985.
Tongji University in Shanghai is an elite public research university and a member of the Double First-Class Construction project. Founded in 1907, it is a global leader in civil engineering and architecture, maintaining a high reputation for its research and industry partnerships.
East China Normal University (ECNU) is a top-tier public research university in Shanghai and a member of the C9 League's equivalent initiatives. Originally founded in 1951 as a premier teacher training institution, it has evolved into a comprehensive university known for its excellence in education, geography, and chemical sciences. ECNU is a major center for international educational research.
Shenzhen University (SZU) is a dynamic public research university located in China's Silicon Valley. Established in 1983, it has rapidly risen to become a major hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. SZU is highly regarded for its programs in computer science, architecture, and finance, benefiting from its unique location in the Shenzhen SEZ.
Southeast University (SEU) in Nanjing is a top-tier public research university with roots dating back to 1902. it is a global leader in architecture, civil engineering, and electronic engineering. SEU is a key member of the C9 League's equivalent initiatives and is recognized for its high research intensity and scientific innovation.
Tianjin University (TJU), founded in 1895 as Peiyang University, is the oldest university in modern China. it is a premier public research university and a member of Project 985. TJU is a global leader in chemical engineering, architecture, and precision instruments, maintaining a long tradition of academic rigor.
Xiamen University (XMU), founded in 1921 by overseas Chinese leader Tan Kah Kee, is a premier public research university in China. it is world-renowned for its exceptionally beautiful campus and its excellence in marine science, chemical engineering, and accounting. XMU is a key member of Project 985 and a leader in international collaboration.
Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) is an elite public research university and a member of the C9 League. tracing its roots to 1896, it is a global powerhouse in mechanical engineering, energy research, and business. XJTU is a key pillar of China's 'Westward Development' strategy and a leader in high-tech innovation.
Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) is a premier public research university and a member of Project 985. Established in 1940, it is China's leading institution for defense technology, mechanical engineering, and information science. BIT is a key pillar of China's national technological and defense development.
China Agricultural University (CAU) in Beijing is the premier public research university for agriculture in China and a member of Project 985. Established in 1905, it is a global leader in food security, animal science, and biological engineering, maintaining a long tradition of scientific innovation in agriculture.
Dalian University of Technology (DUT) is an elite public research university in China and a member of Project 985. founded in 1949, it is a global leader in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and coastal engineering. DUT is recognized for its high research intensity and its vital role in China's industrial innovation.