JS Corporation releases the "Japan University Popularity Rankings" monthly. In the latest edition compiled on July 31, 2024, "Hokkaido University" has risen from 10th to 8th place among national public universities, while "Kumamoto University" has significantly climbed from 26th to 21st place among public universities.
JS Corporation, operating the school information website "Nihon Gakko," conducts monthly surveys among high school students to gauge their interest in various universities, publishing the results as the "Japan University Popularity Rankings." The latest edition compiled on July 31, 2024, reflects responses gathered from 165,205 high school students between April 2022 and July 2024. Rankings for national, public, and private universities nationwide and by prefecture are published on the website.
In the national popularity rankings in Japan, the top five among national public universities are Tokyo University, Tsukuba University, Kyoto University, Osaka University, and Nagoya University. Hokkaido University, previously ranked 10th, has risen to 8th place, with no other changes in the top 20 and ranks from 11th to 30th remaining unchanged.
Among public universities, the top five remain unchanged with Osaka Public University in the lead, followed by Tokyo Metropolitan University, Shizuoka Prefectural University, Nagoya City University, and Aichi Prefectural University. Changes within the top 30 include Fukuoka Prefectural University moving to 13th place and Kagoshima Prefectural College swapping positions with Kumamoto University, which has risen significantly from 26th to 21st place. Additionally, Okayama Prefectural University, previously outside the top 30, has now climbed to 30th place.
Among private universities, the top ten rankings remain unchanged with Aoyama Gakuin University leading, followed by Keio University, Kinki University, Meiji University, and Waseda University. Within the top 30, Nihon University ranks 13th, Hosei University ranks 14th, Kokushikan University ranks 29th, and Nanzan University ranks 30th. However, there have been no changes in the university rankings.
The prefectural popularity rankings include more localized rankings, including local universities. For example, Kyoto University leads among national and public universities, followed by Tokyo University and Osaka University. Among public universities, Kyoto Prefectural University leads, followed by Kyoto City University of Arts and Osaka Public University. Leading private universities include Ritsumeikan University, Doshisha University, and Ryukoku University.
◆ National University Popularity Rankings (as of July 31, 2024)
[National and Public Universities]
1st: "Tokyo University"
2nd: "Tsukuba University"
3rd: "Kyoto University"
4th: "Osaka University"
5th: "Nagoya University"
6th: "Kyushu University"
7th: "Tohoku University"
8th: "Hokkaido University"
9th: "Kobe University"
10th: "Hitotsubashi University"
[Public Universities]
1st: "Osaka Public University"
2nd: "Tokyo Metropolitan University"
3rd: "Shizuoka Prefectural University"
4th: "Nagoya City University"
5th: "Aichi Prefectural University"
6th: "Yokohama City University"
7th: "Kitakyushu City University"
8th: "Aitai International University"
9th: "Kyoto Prefectural University"
10th: "Miyagi University"
[Private Universities]
1st: "Aoyama Gakuin University"
2nd: "Keio University"
3rd: "Kinki University"
4th: "Meiji University"
5th: "Waseda University"
6th: "Sophia University"
7th: "Kansai University"
8th: "Josai University"
9th: "Doshisha University"
10th: "Chuo University"
