QS Best Student Cities 2026: Delhi Named World’s Most Affordable, Mumbai Enters Top 100
PuneNow, July 18, 2025: The latest QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2026 highlights India’s growing prominence in global education, with Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai all climbing the ranks. Delhi has been crowned the world’s most affordable student city, while Mumbai re-enters the top 100, signaling India’s rising academic reputation, affordability, and workforce relevance.
Indian Cities Shine in QS Best Student Cities 2026
According to QS Quacquarelli Symonds, all four Indian cities featured in the 2026 ranking have improved their positions compared to last year:
- Mumbai leads the pack at 98th place globally, jumping 15 spots from 2025.
- Delhi rose 7 places to 104th and ranked #1 in affordability worldwide.
- Bengaluru, India’s tech hub, surged 22 spots to 108th.
- Chennai climbed 12 places to secure the 128th position.
City-Wise Rankings & Scores
Why Are Indian Cities Rising in the Rankings?
1. Affordability: A Major Strength
Indian cities continue to dominate in affordability, making them attractive for international students.
- Delhi scored 96.5 (highest globally) in affordability.
- Bengaluru (84.3) and Chennai (80.1) also performed well.
With low tuition fees and living costs, India offers a budget-friendly alternative to expensive study destinations like the US, UK, and Australia.
2. Strong Employer Recognition
The ‘Employer Activity’ indicator measures how employers value graduates from these cities:
- Delhi & Mumbai ranked in the global top 50.
- Bengaluru saw the biggest jump, rising 41 spots to 59th.
- Chennai advanced 29 places, reflecting growing corporate trust in Indian talent.
3. Leading Institutions Boost Rankings
Each city hosts globally recognized universities:
- Mumbai: University of Mumbai, IIT Bombay
- Delhi: University of Delhi, IIT Delhi
- Bengaluru: IISc, IIM Bangalore, top private universities
- Chennai: Anna University, IIT Madras
Global Top 5 Student Cities in 2026
While Indian cities are rising, the world’s top student cities are:
- Seoul, South Korea (New #1)
- Tokyo, Japan
- London, UK (Dropped from #1 due to affordability concerns)
- Munich, Germany
- Melbourne, Australia
India’s Progress Amid NEP 2020 Reforms
This improvement coincides with five years of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to internationalize Indian education and enhance quality standards. The policy’s impact is evident as:
- Nearly 50% of Indian universities improved in the 2025 QS World University Rankings.
- IIT Delhi remains India’s top institution, while MIT (USA) retains its global #1 position.
Conclusion
The QS Best Student Cities 2026 ranking underscores India’s growing appeal as an affordable, high-quality education hub. With Delhi leading in affordability and Mumbai breaking into the top 100, India is steadily becoming a preferred destination for students worldwide.
