No.1 Among Private Universities Nationwide in the 2025 Higher Education Finance Statistics, Surpassing Yonsei, Hanyang, and Korea University

Selected for Major Government-Funded Projects Again This Year, Including the Advanced Industry Talent Training Boot Camp and Glocal University Support Program

University Innovation Delivers Results with 100% Freshman Enrollment Rate for Two Consecutive Years; President CHOI Oe-chool’s Leadership Gains Global Recognition

[June 8, 2026]

(Unit: KRW 1,000)

Top 5 Private Universities by Government Funding Support

(Based on the 2025 Higher Education Finance Information System Statistics)

YU (President CHOI Oe-chool) ranked first among private general universities nationwide in government funding support (based on the 2025 survey), once again demonstrating its standing as a highly competitive institution trusted and selected by both central and local governments. Securing the largest amount of external financial support among Korea’s private universities—surpassing several of Seoul’s most prestigious private institutions—is regarded as a symbolic achievement that highlights the competitiveness of a leading regional private university.

 According to the 2025 higher education financial support statistics recently released by the Higher Education Finance Information System, YU secured a total of KRW 107.4 billion in external funding, including support from the Ministry of Education, other central government agencies, local governments, and external organizations.YU was followed by Yonsei University, Hanyang University, and Korea University, which ranked second through fourth, respectively.

 The Higher Education Finance Information System is Korea’s comprehensive public disclosure platform for higher education finance, providing information on government-funded higher education projects and university financial data. The system is administered by the Korea Advancing Schools Foundation in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. This achievement, verified through a highly credible public disclosure system, demonstrates that YU’s success is not the result of a one-time project but reflects sustained trust from government agencies, local governments, and other external organizations. YU ranked eighth among private universities in external funding support with KRW 58.2 billion in 2021, rose to fifth place in 2022, second place in 2024, and now reached first place in 2025 with KRW 107.4 billion, showing steady year-on-year growth.

 This top ranking carries even greater significance at a time when universities face increasingly challenging financial conditions. With declining student populations, prolonged tuition freezes, and intensifying concentration of resources in the Seoul metropolitan area, financial uncertainty across higher education continues to grow. In this environment, the scale of external funding from government and local authorities is widely recognized as a key indicator of a university’s capacity for educational innovation, research competitiveness, and sustainable growth. 

 YU’s competitiveness has continued to be validated through its selection for major government-funded initiatives this year. The university was chosen for the 2026 Advanced Industry Talent Training Boot Camp Project, jointly administered by the Ministry of Education and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT); the KOICA Specialized Human Resources Development Program (Master’s Degree Program in Science and Engineering); and the Gyeongbuk-type Glocal University Support Project, a flagship initiative under Gyeongsangbuk-do’s Regional Innovation System & Education (RISE) framework. Through these selections, both central and local governments have once again recognized YU’s excellence as an institution that cultivates talent capable of driving social and economic development.

The resources secured through these large-scale funding programs are being directly invested in educational and research innovation. They support curriculum reforms aligned with industry demands, the establishment of AI-based educational infrastructure, expanded university-industry collaboration, strengthened global competency programs, and enhanced student support services. These investments are translating into measurable gains in the university’s overall competitiveness. The impact of these innovations is also evident in admissions outcomes.

YU achieved a 100% freshman enrollment rate for both the 2025 and 2026 academic years. In particular, during the 2026 admissions cycle, admission scores increased in 54 of 67 early-admission recruitment units (80.6%), while 60 of 63 regular-admission recruitment units (95.2%) recorded broader increases in admission scores. These results indicate that YU has firmly established itself as a university trusted and actively chosen by prospective students, parents, and educators. They also demonstrate that large-scale external financial support is not merely a numerical achievement but is contributing to improvements in educational quality, student competency development, and the university’s overall attractiveness.

Observers attribute these accomplishments in large part to the leadership of President CHOI Oe-chool.In the recently announced 2026 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), YU ranked 4th in the world in the Visionary Leadership category, earning international recognition for its innovative leadership capabilities. President CHOI has demonstrated consistent improvement in this category over the past three years, gaining global recognition for effectively sharing the university’s vision with stakeholders and implementing it with consistency. Analysts note that a virtuous cycle has emerged in which the university’s vision and philosophy are translated into collective action across the institution, leading to educational innovation, success in securing external funding projects, and increased trust from students and parents. The reason YU continues to be selected by governments and public agencies is clear: the university has a well-defined vision, strong execution capabilities, and tangible results that are producing meaningful change in education and research.

 President CHOI Oe-chool stated, “External financial support is a critically important foundation for strengthening a university’s competitiveness. The government and local government funding secured by YU will be used to improve educational environments, promote research innovation, and cultivate future talent by enhancing student capabilities.” He added, “These resources will play a significant role in realizing YU’s vision of nurturing individuals who contribute to the prosperity of human society.” Expressing his gratitude, he concluded, “This achievement was made possible through the dedication and hard work of all members of the university community, including faculty and staff, who have embraced the university’s vision and worked tirelessly to put it into practice.”