Largest Universities in the World
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Out of the many institutions across the world, some universities are exceptionally large and enroll many learners into their institutions. To better understand some of the largest universities in the world and what they have to offer to both global citizens and individual students, let’s take a look at a list of the largest universities in the world today.
Universities are more than just places of learning; they are vibrant communities where knowledge not only is produced but where new generations are built. They are the heart of education, shaping the minds and futures of millions around the globe. Among these institutions, some stand out not just for their academic excellence but also for their sheer size.
Try to picture yourself walking through the big campuses filled with students from all over the cities, states or even countries. So, knowing which are the largest universities in the world is somehow becoming interesting for students.
Leading the largest university in the world list is the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in India, with over 7.14 million enrollments. Other notable institutions include the National University of Bangladesh and Anadolu University in Turkey, and many more.
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Students looking to study across one of the largest universities in the world will get to study, pursue extra-curricular activities and bring about a holistic development in body and mind. When we talk about the largest universities in the world, this could be the largest universities in the world by enrollment or the largest universities in the world by size. In this article, we are going to be discussing the largest universities in the world by enrollment.
Top 10 Largest Universities in the World
The below mentioned universities are the largest universities in the world by latest enrollments number.
| Rank | Institution | Location | Students Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indira Gandhi National Open University | New Delhi, India | 7,140,000 |
| 2 | National University, Bangladesh | Gazipur, Bangladesh | 2,097,182 |
| 3 | Anadolu University | Eskişehir, Turkey | 1,974,343 |
| 4 | California Community Colleges System | California, United States | 1,800,000 |
| 5 | Allama Iqbal Open University | Islamabad, Pakistan | 1,027,000 |
| 6 | Laureate Education, Inc. | International | 875,000 |
| 7 | Bangladesh Open University | Gazipur, Bangladesh | 650,000 |
| 8 | Universitas Terbuka | Jakarta, Indonesia | 646,467 |
| 9 | National Technological Institute of Mexico | Mexico | 620,000 |
| 10 | Tribhuvan University | Kirtipur, Nepal | 604,437 |
Source: Ceoworld Magzine
Largest Universities in the World: Know Details
In this section, we are going to be discussing the top 10 largest universities in the world.
Indira Gandhi National Open University
- Location: New Delhi, India
- Enrollment: Approximately 7.14 million students
One of the largest universities in the world, Indira Gandhi National Open University was established in 1985. The university has 21 schools and a network of 1843 study centres, 56 regional centres and 21 overseas centres spread across 15 international destinations. Indira Gandhi National Open University offers a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programs, catering to students from every corner of India and beyond. This is a private university which has its headquarters in New Delhi, India.
National University of Bangladesh
- Location: Gazipur, Bangladesh
- Enrollment: About 2.1 million students
Established in 1992, the National University Bangladesh (NUB) is one of the largest universities in the world and the largest in Bangladesh. The university caters to millions of students spread across 57 affiliated colleges and institutions. The university offers graduate and post-graduate level education to students through its four units, School of Under Graduate Studies, Centre for Post-Graduate Studies Training & Research, M. Phil./Ph.D.Programme Unit and Centre for Curriculum Development and Evaluation. NUB's primary focus lies on expanding access to higher education in rural and semi-urban areas of Bangladesh, offering affordable and flexible programs.
Anadolu University
- Location: Eskişehir, Turkey
- Enrollment: Approximately 1.97 million students
One of the largest universities in the world, Anadolu University is a public university established in 1958 in Eskişehir, Turkey. The university offers in-person and distance learning options and is renowned for its open education system and diverse program offerings, attracting students from Turkey and beyond.
Islamic Azad University
- Location: Tehran, Iran (with branches internationally)
- Enrollment: Over 1.5 million students
Established in 1982 in Tehran, Islamic Azad University is one of the largest private universities in the world. Islamic Azad University is home to two independent and 31 state university branches with 367 campuses spread across Iran. There are 1,051 Sama schools and a total of 118 skills training schools and entrepreneurship colleges. The university accepts over 3 lakh students every year and provides Associate, Bachelor, Master, Professional Doctorate, Residency and Ph.D. degrees.
California Community Colleges System
- Location: California, United States
- Enrollment: Around 2.1 million students
The California Community Colleges System is a network of 114 community colleges that collectively enrol over 2.1 million students, making it the largest higher education system in the United States. The California Community Colleges System provides affordable and accessible two-year degrees and transfer programs, playing a crucial role in preparing students for further education or directly entering the workforce.
Top largest university in the world by area
| University | Area |
|---|---|
| Barry College | 27,000 acres |
| UC Davis | 5,300 acres |
| Liberty University | 7,000 acres |
Are Open University Degrees Recognised for Study Abroad?
Open universities occupy the king’s share of the list of largest universities in the world. However, a lot of times, students are left wondering whether their degree from an open university would be accepted as part of the university application process abroad or not. Here, candidates should rest assured that as long as their university is recognised by the government of the country their degree will hold value in the admission process. To be on the safer side, candidates are advised to check with their preferred university abroad on whether they would be accepting their open university degree or not.
Got more doubts? Feel free to get in touch with our Shiksha Counselling Service on our website.
Q: What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?
Q: Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: What are the requirements for admission into Purdue?
Purdue University application must have the following components:
Undergraduate Admissions
- The application itself
- Purdue-specific questions from the application
- Self-reported high-school grades
- Self-reported SAT or ACT scores (if applicable)
- Application fee
Steps to apply for Purdue University Undergraduate Courses
- First of all, complete and submit a Common application as per the Purdue University application deadlines
- Make sure that Purdue University receives all material required to complete the application
Graduate Admissions Steps
- Firstly, check Purdue University entry requirements
- Then, create an application account to start the application
- Choose the campus and course as per the preference
- Then, submit the results of the tests needed for the graduate program
- Prepare the additional documents based on the graduate program
- Lastly, pay the non-refundable application fee to submit the application. Purdue University graduate application fee is USD 75 for international applicants
Q: Which is better, UIC (University of Illinois Chicago) or NIU (Northern Illinois University)?
As per an unofficial source, the University of Illinois Chicago ranked at #80 among national universities which is better than the NIU ranking at #273 position. The UIC is also exceeding in terms of graduation rates and easier selection than NIU. However, the tuition cost is more affordable at Northern Illinois University as compared to UIC. Students can get more clarity from the comparison table given below:
Particulars | University of Illinois Chicago | Northern Illinois University |
|---|---|---|
US News National Rankings 2024 | #80 | #273 |
Acceptance Rate | 79% | 70% |
Graduation Rate | 40% | 33% |
Tuition Cost | UG: INR 22L-INR 49L PG: INR 13L-INR 37L | UG: INR 10L-INR 16.5L PG: INR 8L-INR 45L |
Student-faculty ratio | 17:1 | 14:1 |
Q: What is the decent score required on the ACT test to get a good university in the USA?
The definition of a good ACT score varies from university to country. However, to get into the top 100 universities, you must aim for a score higher than 31 on the ACT.
Q: What GPA do I need to get into Northwest Missouri state?
Northwest Missouri State University expects a cumulative GPA of 2 for UG programs and 3 for PG programs on a scale of 4. GPA is one of the top factors when considering students for university admissions. Along with GPA, the university expects a student to provide high school transcripts from previously attended university or school, standardized test scores, English language proficiency test scores, and more. In addition, students with relevant experience in the chosen field are preferred over the studious students.
Q: How much does it cost to attend the University of South Dakota?
The USD provides over 200 undergraduates and 80 master's programs in specializations such as Business Analytics, Business Administration, Accountancy, Computer Science, Mathematics, and more. The University of South Dakota tuition fees for international students range between INR 6L and INR 21L for graduates and around INR 10L for undergraduates. Students can check the table below for the tuition cost of the popular courses at the university:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
MBA/PGDM (4 courses) | INR 10 L - 12 L |
MS (10 courses) | INR 9 L - 18 L |
BSN (1 course) | INR 11 L |
MIM (3 courses) | INR 10 L - 12 L |
BSc (30 courses) | INR 11 L |
BBA (14 courses) | INR 11 L |
BA (18 courses) | INR 11 L |
BE / BTech (4 courses) | INR 11 L |
MA (19 courses) | INR 10 L - 21 L |
PG Certificate (10 courses) | INR 7 L |
Raushan Kumar is a skilled writer and a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. He oversees various aspects of studying abroad, including educational opportunities, entrance exams, colleges, latest new... Read Full Bio
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There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.