# Top 10 Universities in Bangladesh 2026: Complete Ranking Guide - Published: 2026-07-04 - Updated: 2026-07-04 - Author: Meher Nigar - Category: Institutions - URL: https://www.ontaheen.com/institutions/top-10-university-in-bangladesh/ --- Bangladesh has over 150 universities split between public and private institutions. If you are looking for the top 10 universities in Bangladesh in 2026, the University of Dhaka and BUET hold the top spots across QS, THE, EduRank, and US News rankings. This guide covers the 10 best universities based on combined rankings, academic reputation, and research output. ## What you will learn * Which universities rank among the top 10 in Bangladesh for 2026 * How global ranking systems like QS, THE, and US News evaluate Bangladeshi universities * The differences between public and private university options in Bangladesh * Key facts about each top university including location, size, and areas of strength * How the UGC classifies and oversees universities in Bangladesh ## What are the top 10 universities in Bangladesh? | Rank | University | Type | Location | Established | Key Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | University of Dhaka (DU) | Public | Dhaka | 1921 | Arts, Sciences, Business, Law | | 2 | BUET | Public | Dhaka | 1876 | Engineering and Technology | | 3 | University of Rajshahi (RU) | Public | Rajshahi | 1953 | Science, Arts, Agriculture | | 4 | Jahangirnagar University (JU) | Public | Savar, Dhaka | 1970 | Research, Environmental Studies | | 5 | University of Chittagong (CU) | Public | Chittagong | 1966 | Multidisciplinary, Marine Sciences | | 6 | SUST | Public | Sylhet | 1986 | STEM, Science and Technology | | 7 | North South University (NSU) | Private | Dhaka | 1992 | Business, Engineering, Health Sciences | | 8 | BRAC University (BRACU) | Private | Dhaka | 2001 | Research, Social Innovation | | 9 | Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) | Public | Mymensingh | 1961 | Agriculture, Veterinary, Fisheries | | 10 | Khulna University (KU) | Public | Khulna | 1991 | Urban Planning, Environmental Science | ## What is the detailed profile of each top university? ### 1. University of Dhaka The University of Dhaka is the oldest and largest public university in Bangladesh, established in 1921. It ranks #1 in Bangladesh across QS, EduRank, and UniRank. DU has 13 faculties, 83 departments, and over 37,000 students. It is ranked #634 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and falls in the 801 to 1000 band in THE rankings. The university has strong programs in arts, social sciences, business, law, and sciences. ### 2. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology BUET is the top engineering institution in Bangladesh and ranks #1 in the country according to US News and World Report and Webometrics. It started in 1876 as the Dacca Survey School and gained university status in 1962. BUET has 18 departments across 6 faculties and admits around 2,500 undergraduate students each year through a competitive admission test. It is ranked at #1,429 globally in the US News Best Global Universities ranking. ### 3. University of Rajshahi Established in 1953, the University of Rajshahi is the second-largest public university in Bangladesh. It sits on a 753-acre campus on the banks of the Padma River. RU has 10 faculties, 59 departments, and over 38,000 students. The university is strong in science, arts, agriculture, and social science research. It ranks among the top 3 public universities in Bangladesh. ### 4. Jahangirnagar University Located on a 697-acre residential campus in Savar, Dhaka, Jahangirnagar University was established in 1970. JU is known for its strong research output and ranks 801 to 1000 globally in THE World University Rankings. It has 6 faculties, 38 departments, and a diverse student body. JU focuses on scientific research, environmental studies, and liberal arts education. ### 5. University of Chittagong Founded in 1966, the University of Chittagong is a leading public university in the port city of Chittagong. It has 9 faculties, 56 departments, and over 28,000 students on a 2,200-acre campus. CU offers programs in arts, science, business, law, marine sciences, and engineering. It is one of the largest multidisciplinary universities in southeastern Bangladesh. ### 6. Shahjalal University of Science and Technology SUST was established in 1986 as the first science and technology university in Bangladesh. Located in Sylhet, it has 7 faculties, 34 departments, and over 12,000 students. SUST focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. It is considered one of the top public universities for technical and scientific education. ### 7. North South University North South University is the top-ranked private university in Bangladesh according to QS and THE World University Rankings. Established in 1992, it was the first private university in the country. NSU is located in Bashundhara, Dhaka, and has over 20,000 students across 5 schools including business, engineering, arts, law, and health sciences. It has a modern campus, international partnerships, and a strong alumni network. ### 8. BRAC University BRAC University is a top private university in Dhaka, established in 2001 by BRAC, the largest NGO in the world. It is ranked among the top 801 to 1000 universities globally by THE. BRACU has 6 schools and over 10,000 students. The university is known for its research output, social innovation programs, and its new permanent campus in Merul Badda with modern facilities. ### 9. Bangladesh Agricultural University BAU is the leading agricultural university in Bangladesh, established in 1961 in Mymensingh. It has 6 faculties, 45 departments, and over 12,000 students. BAU specializes in agricultural science, veterinary medicine, fisheries, and agricultural economics. It supports Bangladesh's food security and rural development through its research and extension programs. ### 10. Khulna University Established in 1991, Khulna University is a public university in the southwestern region of Bangladesh. It has 8 schools and 32 disciplines focusing on science, engineering, social sciences, arts, and law. KU is located in Khulna city and has over 10,000 students. The university has strong programs in urban planning, environmental science, and computer science. ## How are Bangladeshi universities ranked globally? Global ranking platforms evaluate universities using different criteria. QS World University Rankings looks at academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty ratio, and international student ratio. Times Higher Education (THE) uses teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income. US News and World Report focuses on global research reputation, publications, books, conferences, and normalized citation impact. EduRank measures research output, non-academic prominence, and alumni influence. UniRank uses web visibility and presence metrics. According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, the University of Dhaka achieved its best-ever position among Bangladeshi universities. In the THE World University Rankings 2026, Daffodil International University was ranked the top Bangladeshi university. BUET holds the highest position for Bangladesh in the US News Best Global Universities ranking at #1,429 globally. ## Which public university is best in Bangladesh? The University of Dhaka (DU) is the best public university in Bangladesh. It ranks #1 across multiple ranking systems including QS, EduRank, and UniRank. Established in 1921, DU has 13 faculties, 83 departments, and more than 37,000 students. It holds the highest position among Bangladeshi universities in the QS World University Rankings. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) is the best public university for engineering and technology. It is ranked #1 in Bangladesh by US News and World Report and Webometrics. BUET has 18 departments across 6 faculties and admits around 2,500 undergraduate students each year through a competitive admission test. ## What are the top private universities in Bangladesh? According to QS and THE rankings, the top private universities in Bangladesh are North South University (NSU) and BRAC University. NSU is the first private university in the country, established in 1992, and ranks #1 among private institutions in Bangladesh. BRAC University follows, recognized for its research output and social innovation programs. Other notable private universities include American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), East West University (EWU), Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST), Independent University Bangladesh (IUB), United International University (UIU), Daffodil International University (DIU), Southeast University, and University of Asia Pacific (UAP). ## Which university is the largest in Bangladesh by enrollment? The National University of Bangladesh, located in Gazipur, is the largest university in the country by enrollment. It is an affiliating university that oversees more than 2,200 colleges across Bangladesh, with over 2 million students in undergraduate and graduate programs. It was established in 1992 and offers programs in arts, science, business studies, and social sciences. Among the public universities, the University of Dhaka has the largest direct enrollment with over 37,000 students. North South University has the largest campus enrollment among private universities. ## How does the UGC classify Bangladeshi universities? The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh is the body responsible for overseeing all universities in the country. The UGC maintains a list of 53 public universities and 114 private universities as of 2026. Public universities are funded by the government and offer subsidized tuition. Private universities are self-financed. The UGC groups universities by focus area: general, science and technology, engineering, agricultural, medical, and Islamic studies. ## Key terms explained ### What is QS World University Rankings? QS World University Rankings is a global university ranking published by Quacquarelli Symonds. It ranks universities based on academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty ratio, and international student ratio. ### What is THE (Times Higher Education) ranking? The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is a global ranking that evaluates universities on teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income. THE ranks over 1,500 universities worldwide. ### What is UGC Bangladesh? The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh is the statutory body that oversees all public and private universities in Bangladesh. It maintains the official list of approved universities and ensures quality standards. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is BUET better than Dhaka University? It depends on the subject. BUET is better for engineering and technology. Dhaka University is better for arts, social sciences, business, and sciences. BUET ranks higher in US News rankings, while DU ranks higher in QS rankings. ### What is the ranking of Dhaka University in the world? The University of Dhaka is ranked #634 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and falls in the 801 to 1000 range in the THE World University Rankings 2026. It is placed at #1,096 in the UniRank global listing. ### How many universities are there in Bangladesh? As of 2026, Bangladesh has 53 public universities and 114 private universities, totaling 167 universities. There are also 3 international universities operating in the country. ### Which private university has the best campus in Bangladesh? North South University (NSU) and BRAC University have the most established campuses in Dhaka. BRAC University's new permanent campus in Merul Badda has modern facilities. NSU's Bashundhara campus offers extensive academic and recreational amenities.