Delhi Named Most Affordable For Students — Is India the Next Student Hub?

India is steadily emerging as a global education hotspot, with four of its major cities-Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai-earning places in the prestigious 2026 QS Best Student Cities Rankings. All four cities not only made it into the global top 130 but also climbed higher than in previous editions, reflecting a growing international appeal in the Indian higher education landscape.

Delhi Tops in Affordability, Bengaluru Makes a Big Leap

Delhi has been named the most affordable city in the world for students, reinforcing its reputation as a budget-friendly destination for quality education. Meanwhile, Bengaluru stole the spotlight with the biggest leap among Indian cities, soaring 22 places to 108th. Mumbai re-entered the top 100, landing at 98th after a 15-place jump. Delhi climbed seven places to rank 104th, and Chennai rose 12 spots to reach 128th.

Affordability proved to be a strong suit for Indian metros, with Mumbai and Bengaluru joining Delhi in the global top 15 for this metric. In terms of employer activity-which reflects job prospects after graduation-Delhi and Mumbai broke into the global top 50. Bengaluru surged 41 places to 59th, and Chennai climbed 29 spots, signalling a positive shift in how Indian graduates are perceived globally.

QS Credits India's Progress to NEP 2020 and Global Engagement

Jessica Turner, CEO of QS Quacquarelli Symonds, noted that India's steady rise in the rankings is more than just statistical progress. "It reflects a structural shift in the country's higher education landscape. As we approach the fifth anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, its focus on global engagement, quality enhancement, and student-centric learning is starting to bear fruit," she said.

The 2026 QS Best Student Cities Rankings assessed 150 cities with populations over 250,000 and at least two universities featured in the QS World University Rankings. The rankings weigh several key factors including affordability, employer activity, student desirability, and alumni feedback. Over 100,000 survey responses informed the 'Desirability' and 'Student Voice' indices, offering insights into both prospective and former student experiences.

In a major shift, Seoul overtook London to become the world's best student city, ending London's six-year reign at the top. London fell to third place, mainly due to a steep drop in affordability, slipping 11 spots to rank 137th globally.

India's improving presence in the rankings points to a new era-where its cities are not just affordable and employable, but increasingly desirable for students worldwide.