Hong Kong has held steady at 17th place in the latest 2027 QS Best Student Cities ranking, remaining 8th in Asia, while its "University Rankings" indicator rose one spot to 6th globally, according to the QS ranking released today (July 21).
Hong Kong, Photo source: reference image
While climbing to 6th globally in the "University Rankings" indicator, Hong Kong's "Affordability" score slipped to 86th, underscoring both the city's academic strength and its persistent cost-of-living challenge.
The QS Best Student Cities ranking assesses cities across six metrics: University Rankings, Employer Activity, Student View, Desirability, Student Mix, and Affordability. Hong Kong scored 79.1 in the "University Rankings" category, placing it 6th worldwide. This performance was reinforced by the 2027 QS World University Rankings, which saw 10 Hong Kong institutions ranked. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) rose to 18th place, joining the University of Hong Kong (HKU), which held steady at 11th, in the global top 20. Most other ranked institutions also improved their positions, with half placed among the world's top 100. This marks the second consecutive year that Hong Kong has been recognised as the most improved higher education system in Asia, reflecting its growing competitive edge.
The University of Hong Kong, Photo by Bastille Post
On the "Affordability" front, QS analysis noted that beyond tuition fees, accommodation costs remain the most significant financial burden for students. If dormitory supply fails to keep pace with enrolment growth, students may be forced into the expensive private rental market, a trend that could further weigh down Hong Kong's score in this indicator.
Hong Kong’s property market, Photo source: reference image
As for other metrics, Hong Kong climbed two places in "Student View" to rank 35th globally. It held steady at 32nd in "Employer Activity", while "Desirability" and "Student Mix" saw modest declines.
Ben Sowter, QS Senior Vice President, said Hong Kong's 6th place in the "University Rankings" indicator, ahead of Boston, New York and Sydney, is impressive and well‑deserved for a city of its size. "There is no doubt about Hong Kong's ambitions in attracting international students," he noted, "but capacity, not ambition, is the issue."
The Times Higher Education (THE) released its Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 (formerly known as the Impact Rankings) on Wednesday (24 June), with five Hong Kong universities securing places in the global top 100. Among them, City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and Lingnan University (LU) each claimed the top spot worldwide in two individual SDG categories: "Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure" and "Quality Education" respectively.
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK)
The rankings assess universities' contributions to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year's edition evaluated 1,646 universities from 116 countries and territories, with the University of Manchester in the UK claiming the top spot overall, breaking the four‑year dominance of Australia's University of Sydney. Asian institutions performed strongly, accounting for more than half of the institutions listed.
Among Hong Kong institutions, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) led the pack, ranking 20th globally. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) followed in 52nd place, while Lingnan University (LU) secured 63rd position. Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) ranked 68th, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) rounded out the city's top performers at 91st place.
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)
CityU participated in the Sustainability Impact Ratings for the first time and ranked first globally in SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). It achieved this distinction together with seven other universities worldwide, and is the only university in Hong Kong to have done so.
Professor Lee Chun Sing, Acting President of CityU, said: "This outstanding ranking reaffirms CityU’s strong capabilities in innovation, infrastructure, and industry–academia collaboration. Moving forward, CityU will continue to promote sustainable development, actively nurture young entrepreneurs, support deep‑tech startups, and leverage research outcomes to advance social welfare, thereby maintaining its leading position in innovative education and talent development."
Lingnan University made a significant leap in the overall rankings, rising from the 101‑200 band last year to 63rd place, its first time breaking into the global top 100.
Lingnan University (LU)
In SDG 4 (Quality Education), one of the most competitive SDG categories, with 1,335 universities participating, LU retained its global top spot for the second consecutive year. The University also ranked first in Hong Kong in six other individual SDG indicators, including "No Poverty" and "Zero Hunger."
Professor Qin Si Zhao, President of Lingnan University, said that to promote the sustainable development of higher education in the digital age, LU has become one of the first universities worldwide to provide free generative AI tools to all faculty and students, making it a compulsory component of the curriculum. The university has also taken the lead in developing the IDEAL-Gen.AI bilingual teaching platform and, in collaboration with the United Nations University, has established Asia's first UNU‑LU Hub for Humanitarian Innovation and Technology to address societal needs through interdisciplinary research.
Professor Qin noted that while rankings serve as an important reference for measuring university development, what matters more is advancing innovation and fostering inclusivity through quality education, making long‑term contributions to the sustainable development of Hong Kong, the nation, and the world.
Hong Kong Baptist University had seven SDG indicators ranked among the global top 100, with four of them entering the global top 50, which is a record high for the University. HKBU said the results reflect its distinctive strengths in interdisciplinary teaching and research, and its success in nurturing talent, promoting innovation, and generating positive social impact. The school will leverage the ranking results to inform and strengthen its ongoing efforts to elevate teaching and research standards.
About the Ranking
THE Sustainability Impact Ratings are the world's most comprehensive framework for evaluating the social and economic impact of universities through their contributions to the UN's 17 SDGs.
Phil Batty, THE's Chief Global Affairs Officer, said the framework provides a comprehensive evaluation of how universities contribute to each SDG through teaching, research, collaboration with industry and communities, and the management of their own resources, including campuses and staff.
Hong Kong Universities in the Global Top 100 of THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026:
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) =20th
Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) =52nd
Lingnan University (LU) = 63rd
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) = 68th
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) = 91st
