Competition for regional national universities hits 5-year high amid free tuition push
Regional flagship national universities are drawing increasing interest as the government prepares to expand support for balanced regional development. The competition rate for regular admissions, based on Korea's College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), reached 5.68 to 1 for admission in 2026 at nine regional flagship national universities, the highest in five years, according to an analysis…
The competition for admission to regional flagship national universities in South Korea has reached its highest level in five years, driven by the government's push for free tuition. According to Jongro Academy, a private university admissions prep institution, the competition rate for regular admissions based on the Korea's College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) hit 5.68 to 1 in 2026, up from 4.67 to 1 in 2022.
Early admissions, which prioritize high school academic performance and extracurricular activities, saw an even higher rate of 8.65 to 1 in 2026. The nine affected universities include Kangwon National University, Gyeongsang National University, Kyungpook National University, Pusan National University, Chonnam National University, Jeonbuk National University, Jeju National University, Chungnam National University, and Chungbuk National University.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
