Is “getting into Seoul” becoming outdated? Regional national universities post five-year high in admissions competition

The long-standing idea that South Korean students must “get into Seoul” may be losing some of its force. Competition for regular admission at the country’s nine regional flagship national universities reached its highest level in five years for the 2026 academic year.

Data from Jongro Academy showed an average ratio of 5.68 applicants per place, up from 4.67 in 2022, 4.69 in 2023, 4.58 in 2024 and 4.88 in 2025. Early admission also reached a four-year high, at 8.65 to 1.

Admission thresholds based on school records rose as well. The national average stood at grade 3.69 for humanities applicants and 3.58 for natural sciences applicants, both five-year highs.

Jongro Academy said plans for free tuition at national universities may be helping attract more applicants and pushing up thresholds. Students whose results put Seoul universities and regional flagships within similar reach may now be more willing to choose a regional national university. The academy also interpreted the shift against a difficult employment market for graduates in both Seoul and the provinces, saying some students appear less willing to accept the opportunity cost of moving to Seoul at any price.

Jongro Academy chief Lim Seong-ho said free tuition could accelerate the trend, particularly among students from outside the capital region. The issue may affect application patterns and admission thresholds for the 2027 early-admission cycle, which begins on the 7th. Attention will also focus on a plan to designate three leading universities under the “making 10 Seouls” initiative.

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The free-tuition policy for national universities could act as a factor accelerating this broader trend. In particular, students from the provinces are likely to gravitate more toward regional flagship national universities than toward other national or private universities.