2025 University Admissions Results (입결) Rankings in Korea

Humanities vs. Natural Sciences

What Are Admissions Results (입결)?

“입결” is short for 입시 결과 (“admissions results”). It refers to the average entrance scores of admitted students or the cutoff scores in regular admission rounds. Essentially, it shows the minimum academic score needed to enter a certain university and department.

Unlike general university rankings that often emphasize research output, international student numbers, or specialized metrics irrelevant to most applicants, 입결 reflects what truly matters to students and families:
• Applicant choices and preferences
• Program reputation and career prospects
• University prestige (brand value)
• Geographic location and accessibility

2025 Humanities Admissions Rankings

1. Seoul National University (SNU) – Gwanak-gu, Seoul
2. Yonsei University – Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
3. Korea University (KU) – Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
4. Sogang University – Mapo-gu, Seoul
5. Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) – Jongno-gu, Seoul
6. Hanyang University – Seongdong-gu, Seoul
7. Chung-Ang University (CAU) – Dongjak-gu, Seoul
8. University of Seoul (UOS) – Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
9. Kyung Hee University – Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
10. Ewha Womans University – Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
11. Konkuk University – Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
12. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) – Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul

2025 Natural Sciences Admissions Rankings

1. Seoul National University (SNU) – Gwanak-gu, Seoul
2. Yonsei University – Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
3. Korea University (KU) – Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
4. Hanyang University – Seongdong-gu, Seoul
5. Sogang University – Mapo-gu, Seoul
6. Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) – Suwon, Gyeonggi-do
7. Chung-Ang University (CAU) – Dongjak-gu, Seoul
8. University of Seoul (UOS) – Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul
9. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) – Yongin, Gyeonggi-do
10. Kyung Hee University – Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul

(Note: Professional fields such as medicine, dentistry, oriental medicine, pharmacy, as well as science-specialized institutions like KAIST, POSTECH, GIST, UNIST, DGIST, and KEPCO Tech were excluded from this ranking, as their admissions criteria are not directly comparable.)

Source: Betelgeuse Admissions Expert Team (2025 Placement Table)

30-Year Admissions Trends – A Retrospective
• Consistency of Top-Tier Schools: Seoul National, Yonsei, Korea, Sogang, Hanyang, and Chung-Ang have remained at the top for nearly three decades with minimal fluctuation. Their strong academic environments, stable reputations, and alumni networks cement their positions.
• Seoul-Centric Dominance: The majority of top-ranked universities are located in Seoul. This reflects the city’s superior education infrastructure, career opportunities, and cultural capital, which strongly influence student preferences.
• Challenges for Regional Universities: Outside Seoul, universities face declining admissions competitiveness due to population decline, regional economic stagnation, and shrinking applicant pools.
• Volatility for Mid-Tier Universities: Shifts in coeducation policies, corporate foundations entering and withdrawing, and demographic changes have led to more significant score fluctuations among non-top-tier schools.

Conclusion

The 2025 admissions results reaffirm that Seoul-based institutions continue to dominate Korea’s higher education hierarchy. However, while rankings provide a helpful overview, applicants should consider much more than scores:
• Academic interests and aptitude
• Campus environment and student life
• Scholarship and financial aid availability
• International exchange and employment pathways

Ultimately, the right fit comes from aligning one’s personal goals with each university’s unique offerings, not simply chasing prestige.