JS Corporation released the "University Popularity Ranking in Japan" at the end of December. According to the statistics, as of December 31, 2023, the top three universities nationally ranked among 195,536 high school students are the National University, "Tokyo University, Osaka Public University," and the Private University "Aoyama Gakuin University."
JS Corporation, operating the school information website "Japanese Schools," surveyed 195,536 high school students regarding their interest in universities. The "University Popularity Rankings (compiled as of December 31, 2023)" have been published on their website, including versions for national, public, and private universities by prefecture. The survey period spanned from April 2021 to December 2024.
In the nationwide popularity rankings in Japan, the top-ranked national public university is the University of Tokyo, followed by Tsukuba University in second place and Kyoto University in third place. Osaka University holds the fourth position, and Nagoya University is in fifth place. Among the top 30 schools, only Gunma University's ranking shifted from 25th to 26th since the last ranking. Iwate University maintains its 25th position from the previous ranking.
Public universities are ranked as follows: First place "Osaka Public University," second place "Tokyo Metropolitan University," third place "Nagoya City University," fourth place "Shizuoka Prefectural University," and fifth place "Kitakyushu University." While the top 10 schools remained unchanged compared to the previous survey, there was a swap between the 11th and 12th positions, with Fukuoka Prefectural University at 11th and Miyagi University at 12th. Kobe City University experienced some changes, dropping from 18th to 20th, and Saitama Prefectural University rose from 20th to 18th.
Private universities are ranked as follows: First place "Aoyama Gakuin University," second place "Keio University," third place "Kinki University," fourth place "Meiji University," and fifth place "Waseda University." The top five remained unchanged, but Kansai University, previously ranked 6th, rose to 7th, while Sophia University maintained its 6th position, causing some variations in the rankings. Additionally, the 13th and 14th positions swapped places, with Rikkyo University at 13th and Hosei University at 14th. Moreover, Toyo University saw a change, rising from 18th to 15th compared to the previous ranking.
In the popularity rankings by prefecture, the top national and public universities in Tokyo are "University of Tokyo" in first place, "Hitotsubashi University" in second place, and "Chiba University" in third place. The top public universities are Tokyo Metropolitan University at first, Yokohama City University at second, and Akita International University at third. Private universities are ranked as follows: First place "Aoyama Gakuin University," second place "Meiji University," and third place "Keio University."
In Osaka, among the national and public universities, "Osaka University" is in first place, followed by "University of Tokyo" in second place, and "Kobe University" in third place. Among public universities, the rankings are: First place "Osaka Public University," second place "Hyogo Prefectural University," and third place "Kyoto Prefectural University." Among private universities, Kinki University is in first place, Kansai University is in second place, and Ritsumeikan University is in third place, with no changes in rankings.
◆ National University Popularity Rankings (Compiled as of December 31, 2023)
【National Universities】
1st place: "University of Tokyo"
2nd place: "Tsukuba University"
3rd place: "Kyoto University"
4th place: "Osaka University"
5th place: "Nagoya University"
6th place: "Tohoku University"
7th place: "Kobe University"
8th place: "Kyushu University"
9th place: "Hokkaido University"
10th place: "Hitotsubashi University"
【Public Universities】
1st place: "Osaka Public University"
2nd place: "Tokyo Metropolitan University"
3rd place: "Nagoya City University"
4th place: "Shizuoka Prefectural University"
5th place: "Kitakyushu City University"
6th place: "Aichi Prefectural University"
7th place: "Yokohama City University"
8th place: "Hyogo Prefectural University"
9th place: "Akita International University"
10th place: "Kyoto Prefectural University"
【Private Universities】
1st place: "Aoyama Gakuin University"
2nd place: "Keio University"
3rd place: "Kinki University"
4th place: "Meiji University."
5th place: "Waseda University"
6th place: "Sophia University"
7th place: "Kansai University"
8th place: "Azabu University"
9th place: "Chuo University"
10th place: "Doshisha University"
