Yeungnam University ranked first nationwide among private general universities in government subsidies received, based on a 2025 survey, the university said Wednesday.
By securing the largest external funding from central and local governments among all private universities in Korea—surpassing major private universities in Seoul—the school demonstrated the competitiveness of a regional anchor private university, observers said.
According to university financial support statistics for 2025 recently released by the University Financial Disclosure System, Yeungnam University secured a total of 107.4 billion won in external funding, combining government funds including those from the Ministry of Education, support from local governments, and aid from other institutions.
Yonsei University, Hanyang University, and Korea University followed Yeungnam University.
Looking at Yeungnam University's annual financial support figures, the university ranked eighth among private universities nationwide in 2021 with 58.2 billion won, then showed a steady upward trend, rising to fifth place in 2022 and second place in 2024.
The first-place achievement carries even greater significance amid increasingly difficult financial conditions for universities.
"As uncertainty in university finances grows due to factors such as the declining school-age population, frozen tuition fees, and intensifying concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area, the expansion of external funding is recognized as a key indicator for gauging educational innovation capacity, research competitiveness, and a foundation for sustainable growth," a Yeungnam University official said.
"Receiving external funding is an important foundation supporting university competitiveness," Yeungnam University President Choi Oe-chul said. "The government and local government funds the university has secured will be used preciously for improving the educational environment to enhance student capabilities, for research innovation, and for cultivating future talent."
