2025 - 2026 SAA Rankings for Best Value Universities In Bulgaria For International Students

47 Best Value Institutions in Bulgaria for International Students

Here are the 47 best-value institutions in Bulgaria for international students. Here, you’ll learn more about their rankings, international student population, and their background.

Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski is considered the oldest educational institution in Bulgaria. Since its establishment, it has grown to become a comprehensive university that offers prestigious training to students in various fields. Throughout the years, the university has maintained a strong relationship with partner enterprises and institutions, allowing them to partake in numerous international programs and European Union activities related to science and research.

Technical University of Sofia is one of the largest and best institutions for technical higher education in Bulgaria. It provides high-quality engineering and technology-related programs using advanced equipment in the most modern academic infrastructures. The university has also built strong partnerships with the biggest tech companies in the country to conduct research activities and internships that prepare students for their future careers. 

Medical University – Sofia was established a century ago and is known as Bulgaria’s oldest higher medical school. It is a public institution with a prominent national and international reputation for providing high-level education and training for aspiring practitioners in the medicine and healthcare industry. It integrates practical simulations, research work, and community service in all of its programs for its students to apply their learnings and develop a sense of responsibility and desire to serve the interest of humanity.

Located in Southern Bulgaria, Paisii Hilendarski University of Plovdiv is the second-largest institution for higher education in the country. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in more than 260 academic fields designed to prepare young people for successful and meaningful careers. The university is also strongly committed to conducting research in the social and natural sciences focusing on developing innovations for the benefit of society. 

Trakia University was founded in 1995 and is located in one of the greenest and most beautiful Bulgarian cities, Stara Zagora. It offers various programs taught in Bulgarian and English and is most recognized for its excellent programs in medicine and veterinary medicine. The university’s mission is to develop qualified human resources and specialists who can address society’s current and future problems.

The Angel Kanchev University of Ruse has a long-standing tradition of providing excellent education and professional training to both domestic and international students in Ruse, Bulgaria. Having existed for over 75 years, the university has established more than 250 bilateral agreements with educational institutions from Europe, America, and Asia to provide international opportunities for its students and faculty. The university also has a strong dedication to conducting high-quality research that is relevant to the scientific, economic, and social development of Bulgaria. 

Opened in the fall of 1963, St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo is the first and largest university situated outside the nation’s capital. It is dedicated to training experts in different fields of liberal arts and humanities who can transform and improve education, business, and society. This university provides various opportunities for international studies, internships, and training for its students and faculty.

The University of National and World Economy is a comprehensive university offering economic degree expertise. The institution is well-known for its advanced teaching, which resulted in its graduates excelling in the field of business and finance. Living up to its mission of providing exceptional training to qualified applicants, the university invests in research and equipment for students to utilize. Through this, students will gain extensive experience in their fields of interest.

The New Bulgarian University is one of the first universities in the country to adopt the credit system for measuring academic progress in higher education. It was founded in 1991 to provide accessible high-quality education that equips students with competencies that meet the needs of the contemporary labor market. The university also carries out interdisciplinary research activities that are made available to the public. 

The D.A. Tsenov Academy of Economics is a prominent institution for business and economics education that has produced over 145,000 graduates with successful careers in Bulgaria and overseas. It was named after one of its most notable benefactors, Dimitar Apostolov Tsenov, a Bulgarian entrepreneur and patriot. The university aims to train future specialists and experts to contribute to the nation’s development, specifically in the fields of economics, management, tourism, and public administration.

South-West University “Neofit Rilski” was established in 1976 in Blagoevgrad, a city that provides its inhabitants with the unique opportunity to enjoy the vibrancy of city life and the relaxed atmosphere of its small towns. It takes pride in its state-of-the-art facilities and a library holding more than 200,000 volumes of literature and databases. Students at the university also participate in the Erasmus+ program which allows them to study in one of over 60 European universities.

University of Economics – Varna is the nation’s leading institution for economics education and research. It aims to train entrepreneurial and socially responsible professionals with broad economic knowledge and leadership skills to influence economic and organizational policies to serve the interest of society. At present, the university has partnered with 258 partner universities and 1,800 public and private organizations in Bulgaria and overseas to carry out various academic and research and development projects.

The Technical University of Gabrovo is a prominent academic and research institution that offers outstanding programs in engineering, business, and technology. Its programs are known for blending traditional teaching methods with modern approaches aligned with the present conditions of industries around the world. The university also conducts high-quality research and development programs in cooperation with its international partners.

Founded in 1942 in the nation’s capital, the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy is the oldest and one of the best technical schools in Bulgaria. It comprises five faculties and 33 departments that offer programs in a wide range of architecture and engineering-related programs that are aligned with the current industry trends. The university also conducts high-quality research dedicated to addressing the social, economic, and technological needs of the country.

The Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy was established in 1881 as a maritime school that was mainly for the training of machinists for the navy. The institute has had a number of developments and serves as a technical institute at the time. Through the institution, students have been to graduate from other naval schools abroad to further their studies. It offers study programs, training, and other practical activities for its students.

Founded in 1961, Medical University-Varna is a pioneer institution for higher medical education in the eastern region of Bulgaria. It uses modern approaches and techniques in the study of health and medical sciences and offers practice-oriented programs to equip its students with the necessary skills and competencies to provide high-quality patient care. The university also takes pride in its state-of-the-art facilities and simulators that allow its students to put their skills into practice. 

Technical University – Varna is a public institution dedicated to teaching and training future specialists and engineers who are competent and adaptable to technological, cultural, and economic changes. It also conducts high-quality research in marine engineering, shipbuilding, and other scientific fields and integrates it with its academic programs. The university also continues to expand its international network to provide opportunities for international mobility and joint projects.

The Konstantin Preslavsky University of Shumen is an educational, social, and cultural institution that is dedicated to providing equal access to high-quality education to young people in northeastern Bulgaria. It is known for its active participation in scientific research projects in the country and overseas. It comprises five faculties, one college, and one teacher training center that offers innovative programs in diverse disciplines.

The University of Forestry is a public institution located in Sofia that offers specialized training to teachers and students in this field. It has different faculties with the courses and fields in which the students can choose to study through. With the numerous comprehensive study programs that they have, the university is able to provide professional knowledge and education to its students. It envisions itself making developments that will enable it to be an institution that is recognized not only locally but also internationally.

The National Military University “Vasil Levski” is a public institution established in 1878 as a military school. The university identifies itself as an institution that offers education as well as other research activities to its students. From the different partnerships it has formed with other institutions the university has been able to admit and develop professional students. The institution offers educational programs for its students from both locally and internationally through bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level.

The University of Library Studies and Information Technologies was established in 1950 in the local area of Sofia. The institution prides itself in having modern facilities within its premises so that students have sufficient resources during their course of study. It takes part in international co-operations and thus is actively recognized by students from different parts of the world. The university allows both full-time and part-time study for students in the bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. levels.

The University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy is a public educational institution dedicated to training highly qualified human resources who can meet the contemporary needs of industries and the entire republic. It conducts high-quality research in different areas of metal production, chemical technology, biotechnology, management, and environmental sustainability. The university also cooperates with several foreign partners to carry out exchange and mobility programs for its students and lecturers.

The University of Mining and Geology St. Ivan Rilski is a leading higher education institution with a seven-decade history of providing outstanding education and training in the extraction and processing of minerals and raw materials. It is dedicated to equipping engineers with the necessary knowledge and skills for the growth of mining and engineering industries of Bulgaria. The university is named after Saint Venerable Ivan Rilski, the patron saint of geologists, workers, and miners.

American University in Bulgaria has a prominent reputation for being the nation’s leading educational institution in terms of the career success of its graduates. It offers world-class liberal arts study programs that award students with international diplomas that are recognized in both Europe and the United States. Having a vibrant community of students coming from different backgrounds and nationalities, the university conducts cultural activities and celebrations through its Diversity Program to diversity and inclusion on its campus. 

The Agricultural University of Plovdiv is an internationally-renowned academic institution that trains future professionals and specialists in different branches of agriculture. It offers high-quality programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The university also carries out various research projects aimed at the development of Bulgaria’s agricultural, economic, and tourism sectors.

Medical University – Pleven is one of the country’s five institutions that specializes in education and training in different areas of healthcare, medicine, and pharmacy. It takes pride in its technologically advanced educational and medical facilities and its university hospital where students, faculty, and practitioners undergo training and offer high-quality treatment and care to approximately 1,000 patients. The university also has a dedicated center for career development that provides assistance, consultations, and support to its students to help them realize their academic and career goals.

The Medical University of Plovdiv is one of the top medical schools for international students in Bulgaria. It offers outstanding programs in different areas of medicine and healthcare taught by distinguished professors and practitioners with various accomplishments in the medical community. It is dedicated to the academic, professional, spiritual, and personal development of its students by imparting them with competencies and values and providing them with different services to support them in their academic journey.

Burgas Free University is an educational institution that upholds social responsibility in terms of developing the skills of its undergraduate and graduate students. It aims to be able to provide the training necessary for individuals to meet the demands and standards of this ever-changing global market. At present, the university actively participates in joint international projects and initiates numerous organizations that focus on contributing to communities through science and research.

The MT&M College identifies itself as an institution that provides quality education in the fields of Marketing and Entrepreneurship that are practice-oriented. It prides itself in having comprehensive study programs that equip its students with the required knowledge that will enable them to manage and run successful businesses for themselves in the job market. Through the different partnerships the institute has formed, they ensure all their activities, as well as teaching materials, are up-to-date.

The National Academy of Arts identifies itself as an art based research institute that mainly base its study programs and research activities in the fields of art. The academy has different faculties that have been divided into courses that the students can choose and study as per their preference. It has taken part in various exhibitions, thus, giving it a chance to be one of the recognized institutions in the region. The students will have the opportunity to learn from foreign lecturers to help diversify their skills.

The University of Food Technologies identifies itself as a private institution that offers courses and programs to students in the fields of Food Science and Technology. It prides itself in accommodating both local and international students providing them with comprehensive study programs and other practical research activities. The University has a variety of faculties that are divided into the different courses that the students specialize in, going through the bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate levels.

Founded over 80 years ago, the National Sports Academy Vasil Levski is the only sports university in the country. Its establishment was meant to respond to Bulgaria’s need for instructors and experts in physical education to help build a young, healthy, and energetic society. At present, the university conducts high-quality academic programs in sports, sports education, and health care and carries out sports-related activities to help the local community.

The University Prof. Dr. Assen Zlatarov is a public institution established in 1963 that offers education in fields of technical science. It offers various facilities that give its students the best quality education. The University has signed contracts and made partnerships with other institutions contributing to the progress in development that the institution has been making. Through the different study programs and other professional research activities that the students take part in, they are able to carry out their studies through the levels of education.

The University of Telecommunications and Post was once a small college that offered training in specialized courses. For decades, the institution has undergone various innovative changes, which is why it has now become a fast-developing academic institution. It takes pride in its close relations with numerous businesses and companies in and out of Bulgaria, allowing its students to participate in practical training courses and opportunities.

The National Academy of Music “Pancho Vladigerov ” is a public university that majorly identifies itself as a music institution located in Sofia. The institution prides itself in offering 30 comprehensive study programs that have been distributed into three faculties. It is well known to be the only university in the region that provides professional musical knowledge thus developing and producing quality musicians for the Bulgarian music industry. The university aims at being an institution that not only educates local students on music, but also those from other parts of the world.

The University of Structural Engineering and Architecture Lyuben Karavelo is a private institution that majors in the fields of engineering and architecture. It offers study programs and practical research activities for its students in the different fields that they may be majoring in. The institution has formed co-operations with other foreign institutions thus has been able to develop through the years availing the students and teachers with the best resources to carry out studies through out their course of study.

The Academy of Music, Dance, and Fine Arts (AMDFA) in Plovdiv identifies itself as an art-based institution that majors widely in providing professional education in the various fields of art. It has formed partnerships and signed contracts with international art institutions and thus has made numerous developments ensuring that the students acquire the best and quality education. The university has had outstanding performances in the world of arts and thus has been recorded as an institution at a high artistic level attracting students locally and internationally.

The International Business School identifies itself as an institution that majorly offers degree courses in the field of Business. Other than offering the degree education to its students, it offers professional scientific research programs that are comprehensive and in turn increase the activity of their students in their specific fields. The institution was established with an entrepreneurial aim of being one of the major innovative institutions that offer the best education in the field of business study.

Varna University of Management is one of the leading international business schools in Europe, famous for its excellent business education and high graduate employment rate. Established only in 1996, the university has gained numerous achievements for its research achievements and publications in different fields of business and social sciences. Students at the university develop their professional skills through study abroad programs and internships in its extensive network of international business schools, business enterprises, and tech companies.

The Higher School of Transport “Todor Kableshkov” was established in the year 1922 as public higher education institution. It aims at becoming an academic institution that still upholds the traditions in its region giving its students the chance to not only develop into qualified specialists, but also as those with the spirit of upholding values. The development of the institution is mainly directed to the support that it receives from other institutions as well as the Council of Ministers. It offers its course in the  undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels with different faculties that are well established.

The University of Finance, Business and Entrepreneurship (VUZF) identifies itself as an institution offering professional education through its comprehensive study programs and research activities. It carries out its activities with the aim of preparing quality personnel with the skills necessary to enable them to take up a variety of roles in the business and job market. The university envisions itself developing economic and financial sciences that will bring about advancement of modern and practical skills for its students.

The University of Structural Engineering and Architecture Lyuben Karavelo is a private institution that majors in the fields of engineering and architecture. It offers study programs and practical research activities for its students in the different fields that they may be majoring in. The institution has formed co-operations with other foreign institutions. It thus has been able to develop through the years, availing the students and teachers with the best resources to carry out studies throughout their course of study.

The National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts Krastyo Sarafov identifies itself as a public institution located in Sofia. It prides itself in preparing quality personnel in the fields and arts of the theatre by providing them with comprehensive study programs and other non-academic activities. The academy has become well known to other institutions that engage in theatre and film arts through different competitions and projects that its students take part in. They offer a variety of courses at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

The Higher School of Security and Economics (HSSE) identifies itself as an institution that offers professional higher education to students from within its region as well as internationally. It majors in training and providing its students with study programs and training in the fields of National Security, Economics, and Administration. The institution envisions itself developing and availing for its learners and teachers scientific as well as practically applied research systems thereby improving the general productivity of quality students.

European Higher School of Economics and Management is a private institution for higher education with the goal of producing knowledgeable, highly skilled, and well-equipped professionals who can tackle real-life business challenges. It has established itself as a European and global leader in business and economics education and research. Programs at the university are taught by distinguished individuals with prominent careers and contributions within and outside Bulgaria.

The College of Tourism Blagoevgrad is a private institution founded in 2003 that offers professional knowledge and practical training programs in the fields of Tourism and Business Administration. It offers its study programs up to the bachelor’s degree level with its students graduating with quality skills in their fields of specialization. The College aims to be one of the recognized institutions that offer the best education and training for the teachers and its students in this fields, offering many academic and non-academic facilities.

Varna Free University Chernorizets Hrabar is a trusted private university with a high accreditation assessment in the country. Through practical education, the university seeks to encourage continuous improvement by helping students become critical and innovative in modern times. Today, the university is one of the leading private educational institutions in the country that is committed to producing professional graduates with immense experience.