New Delhi: Global higher education analyst QS Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has released the QS Best Student Cities 2027 Rankings, with Delhi emerging as the world's most affordable student city and Mumbai becoming India's highest-ranked student destination, securing the 91st position globally. 

The annual rankings assess 150 cities worldwide based on six key parameters—university quality, employer activity, affordability, desirability, student mix, and student view—to identify the best destinations for higher education.

Mumbai Leads India in QS Best Student Cities 2027

Mumbai climbed seven places, moving from 98th in 2026 to 91st globally in the latest rankings, making it India's top-performing student city. The city recorded an overall score of 61.8, reflecting improvements in its higher education ecosystem and employment opportunities.

According to QS, Mumbai's strong performance is driven by its reputed universities, robust employer network, and relatively affordable education compared to many global study destinations.

Meanwhile, Delhi improved from 104th to 99th place, while Chennai rose five positions to 123rd. Bengaluru slipped six places to 114th, making it the only Indian city to witness a decline this year.

Delhi Tops the World in Affordability

Delhi secured the No. 1 global rank for affordability, making it the most cost-effective city for students among all ranked destinations.

According to the report, the average annual tuition fee for international students in Delhi is approximately US$2,700 (around ₹2.6 lakh). The city also performed strongly in the Employer Activity category, reflecting excellent career opportunities for graduates.

Bengaluru Records Decline

Unlike other Indian cities, Bengaluru experienced a drop in the rankings. QS attributed the decline primarily to the city's comparatively higher tuition costs for international students, which average around US$5,400 per year, the highest among the four Indian cities featured in the rankings.

How QS Best Student Cities Rankings Are Calculated

The QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2027 are based on 23 performance indicators grouped under six major categories:

• University Quality

• Employer Activity

• Affordability

• Desirability

• Student Mix

• Student View

To qualify for the rankings, a city must have a population of more than 2,50,000 and at least two universities featured in the QS World University Rankings.

World's Top Student Cities 2027

Globally, Seoul retained its position as the best student city in the world, followed by Tokyo and London. Melbourne ranked fourth, while Munich and Sydney shared fifth place. The remaining cities in the top ten include Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and Zurich.

Among Asian cities, Singapore secured 11th place, followed by Beijing (12th) and Kuala Lumpur (15th).

The QS Best Student Cities 2027 Rankings reflect India's growing reputation as a higher education destination. While Mumbai continues to strengthen its global standing, Delhi's top position in affordability makes it an attractive choice for both domestic and international students seeking quality education at a lower cost.