Delhi worlds most reasonably priced metropolis for college kids: QS rating

Delhi emerged because the world’s most reasonably priced pupil metropolis, rating first globally on this indicator. The QS thought of numerous components reminiscent of security, air pollution, value of dwelling, desirability and employer exercise whereas getting ready the index.

Mumbai re-entered the worldwide high 100, rising 15 locations to safe 98th place on this rating in comparison with the rating for 2025. Delhi climbed seven spots to 104th, whereas Bengaluru bagged 108th rank, bettering from final yr’s place of 130. “Chennai additionally advances considerably, gaining 12 positions to rank 128th,” the QS mentioned in a launch.

While Delhi emerged because the world’s most reasonably priced pupil metropolis, Mumbai and Bengaluru are throughout the high 15 on this standards. “In the Employer Activity class, Delhi and Mumbai each break into the worldwide high 50, highlighting robust graduate employment prospects. Bangalore makes the sharpest leap on this dimension, leaping 41 locations to rank 59th, whereas Chennai climbs a powerful 29 spots, underscoring a rising recognition of its graduates within the job market,” the QS mentioned.

Jessica Turner, CEO of QS, mentioned India’s rising presence within the 2026 QS Best Student Cities Rankings displays a structural shift within the nation’s increased training panorama. “As we strategy the fifth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, its concentrate on world engagement, high quality enhancement, and student-centric studying is beginning to bear fruit on the worldwide stage. The progress of cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai is especially telling,” she mentioned including that in simply ten years, India has seen a 390% improve within the variety of universities featured within the QS World University Rankings. “That type of trajectory is uncommon — and now we’re seeing it mirrored on the metropolis stage too. If this momentum continues, backed by reform and rising world visibility, — we’re more likely to witness an excellent sharper upward trajectory earlier than the last decade is out,” she added.

Several Asian cities climbed within the world standings. “This yr, 39 cities from the Asia-Pacific area (excluding Australia and New Zealand) are featured, together with three newcomers. Notably, Kyoto and Osaka make their debut as individually ranked cities, having beforehand been grouped below the Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe metropolitan label. Among the 34 Asian cities ranked final yr, 26 have improved their positions, one stays unchanged, and solely seven have declined — with simply 4 falling by greater than three locations,” the QS mentioned.

Seoul is the world’s greatest pupil metropolis and ended London’s six-year run on the high. “London, whereas sustaining robust leads to Employer Activity and Student Mix, drops to 3rd, largely because of a steep decline in affordability, the place it now ranks simply 137th globally,” the QS mentioned.