Summary: THESE Indian cities...are now among the world’s best student cities in the QS Rankings 2026. India rises in the global education space with better scores in affordability and academic vibe.
Big news for students! In the QS Best Student Cities 2026 list, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai made it to the world’s top 130. These rankings by QS are like the Oscars for cities students love.
And guess what? All four Indian cities climbed higher than last year. That’s a big deal.
Mumbai’s Winning
Mumbai’s now ranked 98th, to be the highest for India. Last time it wasn’t even close. It shot up 15 places. Why? It’s got better job vibes and isn’t too harsh on the wallet either. Students here are getting a mix of everything, like study, hustle, and culture.
Delhi - Cheapest Student City (Yes, in the world!)
At 104th, Delhi didn’t just climb 7 spots: It took the crown for the world’s most affordable student city. Crazy, right? It scored 96.5 in affordability. If you're broke but still want a good education + city life,
Delhi might just be your jam.
Bengaluru’s Tech Pulse Is Strong
108th place for Bengaluru: up by 22 ranks! That’s a big leap. It’s got tech companies, research hubs, and solid colleges. It’s buzzing with innovation. No surprise it’s pulling in more students each year.
Chennai Creeps Up Too
Chennai is ranked 128th, up 12 spots. Slow and steady. It’s cheaper than most metros and now has better academic setups. Students seem to be noticing.
Who’s at the Top?
Not India yet. It’s Seoul at No. 1, followed by Tokyo and London. Big league cities, global universities, tons of student-friendly stuff. Hard to beat… for now.
What Do These Rankings Look At?
QS scores cities based on:
- How affordable is it
- Whether grads get hired
- How solid local universities are
- How diverse the students are
- What students actually feel
- How cool and safe the place feels overall
Why It Matters
India’s not just about “cheap degrees” anymore. It’s starting to show up on the global radar. These rankings prove students can get quality and affordability right here. And things are just warming up.
