Top 10 Biggest Universities in the World

Despite the fact that there are more than a billion universities around the world, only a small percentage of them can claim to be the biggest. The QS World University Rankings ranks these institutions by a variety of factors including research influence, industry income, and international outlook.

Here are the top 10 biggest universities in the world as of 2019. Let’s take a look at each one and find out why they made it onto the list!

1. University of California-Berkeley

University of California-Berkeley (UCB) is one of the top 10 biggest universities in the world. It is a public research university in Berkeley, California.

Founded in 1868, the university is the flagship campus of the University of California system. It is known for its academic rigor, research-intensive education and public service.

2. University of California-San Diego

The University of California-San Diego is a public research university located in the La Jolla community of San Diego. It’s a member of the state-wide University of California system, alongside nine semi-autonomous public institutions.

It’s one of the world’s leading universities and is renowned for its research, education and outreach. It has six undergraduate colleges and three graduate colleges. It also includes the prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

3. University of California-Los Angeles

The University of California-Los Angeles is a large public university with a total undergraduate student enrollment of 32,119 (fall 2021). It is an urban campus located in Los Angeles.

UCLA has a wide range of programs and courses available for students to choose from. It has been ranked among the top universities in the world by several rankings such as QS and US News & World Report.

4. University of California-Santa Barbara

UCSB is a renowned research institution that offers a comprehensive liberal arts education. Teaching and research are intertwined in an atmosphere that values individuality.

A public land-grant research university, it is part of the University of California system and traces its roots to 1891 as a small independent teachers’ college. Today it is one of ten campuses in the system.

5. University of California-San Diego

The University of California-San Diego is one of the top universities in the world. It is consistently ranked in the top 100 universities worldwide by the QS, THE, ARWU, and U.S. News & World Report.

UC San Diego is a student-centered, research-focused public institution that inspires innovation and discovery. It fosters a culture of collaboration that sparks discoveries, advances society and drives economic impact.

6. University of California-Los Angeles

UCLA is a leading research institution, with renowned academic schools and institutes. It also boasts top-performing arts programs and a top-rated Division I athletics program.

Its campus is surrounded by sculpture gardens, fountains and museums. It has more than 1,000 student organizations, providing plenty of opportunities for recreational and social activities.

7. University of California-Santa Barbara

UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) is one of the biggest public universities in the world. It has an international reputation for its interdisciplinary programs and is ranked as the 20th-best national university by Washington Monthly.

UCSB is located on a picturesque palm- and eucalyptus-lined promontory overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Its three colleges and two professional schools offer more than 200 majors, degrees, and credentials.

8. University of California-San Diego

Located in La Jolla, California, the University of California-San Diego is one of nine semi-autonomous public institutions that make up the statewide University of California system. It is also a US Public Ivy college, whose goal is to provide a quality education comparable to those found in Ivy League private colleges.

UCSD offers a wide range of courses in a variety of fields, from engineering to science. It is consistently ranked high internationally and nationally by major world-ranking agencies, including Times Higher Education (THE) and U.S. News & World Report.

9. University of California-Santa Barbara

Founded in 1907, the University of California-Santa Barbara is one of the ten campuses of the University of California system. Its three undergraduate colleges and two graduate schools offer a wide range of degrees and programs.

UC Santa Barbara also has a strong research focus. It has a number of national research centers, including the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics.

10. University of California-Los Angeles

Founded in 1919, UCLA is the second oldest campus of the University of California system. It is known for its academic excellence and extensive research in a diverse range of fields.

The school is committed to ensuring that students discover and pursue their own unique paths of discovery and investigation. Its culture is anchored in optimism, which reflects the belief that education opens unlimited opportunities.