2025 - 2026 SAA Rankings for Best Value Universities In Sweden For International Students
Sweden is surely one of the best places that you can consider if you’re planning to study abroad. The many grand opportunities that await while and after studying also add fuel to the fire. It also helps that besides the most popular schools, the country has more institutions to offer, with 39 in total.
With so many available options, it can be hard to find the best pick according to your budget, course preferences, and other factors. You want to find the institution that is the perfect fit or offers the best value for your money.
To help you out, we have ranked the best-value universities in Sweden. They are known for offering high standards of education while keeping the costs affordable for international students.
Rank | University | Percentage Ranking (World) | Founded Year | City | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lund University | 1 % | 1666 | Lund | Public |
2 | Uppsala University | 2 % | 1477 | Uppsala | Public |
3 | Stockholm University | 2 % | 1878 | Stockholm | Public |
4 | KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm | 2 % | 1827 | Stockholm | Public |
5 | University of Gothenburg | 2 % | 1891 | Gothenburg | Public |
6 | Karolinska Institute | 2 % | 1810 | Solna | Public |
7 | Chalmers University of Technology | 3 % | 1829 | Gothenburg | Private |
8 | Linkoping University | 4 % | 1975 | Linkoping | Public |
9 | Umea University | 4 % | 1965 | Umea | Public |
10 | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences | 5 % | 1977 | Uppsala | Public |
11 | Lulea University of Technology | 9 % | 1971 | Lulea | Public |
12 | Jonkoping University | 11 % | 1977 | Jonkoping | Private |
13 | Orebro University | 12 % | 1999 | Orebro | Public |
14 | Malmo University | 15 % | 1998 | Malmo | Public |
15 | Stockholm School of Economics | 15 % | 1909 | Stockholm | Private |
16 | Linnaeus University | 15 % | 2010 | Vaxjo | Public |
17 | Karlstad University | 17 % | 1977 | Karlstad | Public |
18 | Malardalens University | 17 % | 1977 | Vasteras | Public |
19 | Mid Sweden University | 19 % | 1993 | Sundsvall | Public |
20 | Halmstad University | 19 % | 1983 | Halmstad | Public |
21 | Blekinge Institute of Technology | 25 % | 1989 | Karlskrona | Public |
22 | University of Skovde | 25 % | 1977 | Skovde | Public |
23 | Sodertorn University | 28 % | 1996 | Huddinge | Public |
24 | Kristianstad University | 36 % | 1977 | Kristianstad | Public |
25 | University West | 36 % | 1990 | Trollhattan | Public |
26 | Dalarna University | 37 % | 1977 | Falun | Public |
27 | University of Boras | 40 % | 1977 | Boras | Public |
28 | World Maritime University | 44 % | 1983 | Malmo | Private |
29 | University of Gavle | 49 % | 1977 | Gavle | Public |
30 | Marie Cederschiold College | 58 % | 1998 | Stockholm | Private |
31 | Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences | 61 % | 1813 | Stockholm | Public |
32 | Royal Institute of Art | 65 % | 1735 | Stockholm | Public |
33 | Konstfack – University of Arts, Crafts and Design | 65 % | 1844 | Stockholm | Public |
34 | Sophiahemmet University | 69 % | 1884 | Stockholm | Public |
35 | Swedish Red Cross University | 70 % | 1867 | Huddinge | Public |
36 | Royal College of Music – Sweden | 70 % | 1771 | Stockholm | Public |
37 | Beckmans College of Design | 71 % | 1939 | Lidingo | Public |
38 | Newman Institute | 86 % | 2001 | Uppsala | Private |
39 | Stockholm University of the Arts | 90 % | 2014 | Stockholm | Public |
39 Best Value Institutions in Sweden for International Students
Here are the 39 best-value institutions in Sweden for international students. Here, you’ll learn more about their rankings, international student population, and their background.
1 Lund University
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There are few universities in Scandinavia, much less Sweden, that could exceed the academic might of Lund University. This prestigious institution is sought-after in Europe, by locals and international students alike, for its diverse programs, quality education, and high employability of graduates. Such excellence can be attributed to centuries of experience, as Lund University is one of the oldest in Northern Europe. Moreover, it has committed itself to research, which advances society and knowledge. Research also provides opportunities for students to hone skills and better their intellect. All these, and more, affirm the university’s reputation in Sweden and worldwide.
2 Uppsala University
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Experience is the greatest teacher, and with centuries worth of such, there is no doubt that Uppsala University has learned much about how to provide the best quality education in the Nordic region. It has played invaluable roles in Swedish history, started academic trends (like the white student cap), and influenced the lives of its thousands of alums, faculty, staff, and students. As Uppsala University forges on even better than before, we can only expect it to continue doing all those things (and more).
As it proceeds into the future, the university prioritizes these things: quality, internationalization, infrastructure, talent attraction, career systems, support, and environment. Working towards these goals inevitably leads to better education, so there’s no better time than now to join Uppsala University.
3 Stockholm University
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Stockholm University is a public research institution in Stockholm, Sweden. This institution is one of the largest in Scandinavia, with over 33,000 domestic and international students. The main programs that are offered at this university are focused on psychology, art, and history, from which students can gather important information from some of the best professors in the nation.
4 KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm
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For the QS World University Rankings 2023, the KTH (Kungliga Tekniska högskolan) Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm secured a spot in the elite 100 worldwide. This incredible feat can be attributed to the institution’s high quality of education and research. Such impressive quality is made possible by over a century of expertise in engineering and technical disciplines. Thus, when you look into KTH’s undergraduate and graduate programs, they are all centered around their specialized fields. This ensures students receive nothing less than premier training.
5 University of Gothenburg
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6 Karolinska Institute
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The Karolinska Institute, sometimes known as the Royal Caroline Institute, is a research medical university located in the city of Solna, Sweden. This university is well-known amongst international students because of its incredible ratings and amazing facilities. This university accepts the brightest and most talented students, who after graduation go out to become experts in their chosen fields.
7 Chalmers University of Technology
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The Chalmers University of Technology proves that Swedish private institutions have as much to offer as their public counterparts. It does so by being one of the country’s (and the world’s) premier universities, placing in the top 200 global charts. The name Chalmers was derived from its first benefactor, William Chalmers, whose donation led to the university’s establishment. Mr. Chalmers’ generosity sprung forth a top-tier school centered on scientific excellence in technology and the natural sciences.
Chalmers is also committed to research and innovation. It coordinates the Graphene Flagship, the EU’s largest research initiative. Moreover, the university is working on creating a Swedish quantum computer. These efforts (and more) reflect Chalmers’ motto: Avancez or moving forward.
8 Linkoping University
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Since 1975, Linkoping University has become essential to Swedish education history. Besides being the sixth university founded in the country, it was also the first to offer these programs in Sweden: industrial engineering, management, applied physics, electrical engineering, computer science, and computer engineering.
After it has grown into a community of four campuses, the institution’s drive to contribute more only intensifies. Thus, Linkoping University fiercely promotes innovation and research among its students. In doing so, students learn how to push boundaries and are creative in searching for solutions that address societal problems. Such skills make the university’s graduates an asset in and out of Sweden.
9 Umea University
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Umea University is a public research institution that is located in Umea, in the mid-northern region of the beautiful country of Sweden. The university was established in 1965 and it is considered the fifth-oldest higher education institution within Sweden’s borders. Aside from offering high-quality programs, the university is also known for having affordable tuition fees.
10 Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
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The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences is one of the best universities in Sweden, and it is ranked among the top 300 universities in the world. This university was established in 1977 and is located in the city of Uppsala, currently home to over 4,000 enrollees. The main areas of study available at this university include agriculture, animal science, and forest and landscape.
11 Lulea University of Technology
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The Lulea University of Technology is one of the most established higher-degree universities in the world. This university was founded in 1971 and specializes in the field of technology. It focuses on teaching the most advanced technical procedures and provides modern equipment for students. Several of its programs are conducted in the English language.
12 Jonkoping University
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Jonkoping University is dedicated to producing a generation of talented professionals who shall be at the top of their field. The institution provides internationalization, entrepreneurship, and collaboration opportunities, including student exchange programs, research, and more. These three aspects are critical in forwarding professions amid digitalization and globalization. Several specialized programs are offered annually, including marketing, management, design, and more.
13 Orebro University
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Orebro University is a well-known public university in the Swedish town of Orebro. This university offers master’s and doctoral degrees. The main achievement of this university is the incredible alumni that have come through this institution, including great individuals such as Lars Adaktusson, a member of the European Parliament, and Hans Karlsson, a Minister for Employment.
14 Malmo University
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Malmö University is one of the most well-known universities in its region. This university is a staple of formal education in Sweden. It is known for its affordable prices, open scholarships, and administrative programs that allow students to pursue exceptional academic careers. The university has valuable partnerships with over 240 prestigious universities, giving its students access to more opportunities for learning.
15 Stockholm School of Economics
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There are few schools where you can better learn the ins and outs of finance and business than the Stockholm School of Economics. This private institution is among the best worldwide. Indeed, referring to the QS World University Rankings 2022, SES placed 64th for economics and econometrics, 19th for master’s in finance, and 30th for master’s in management. These figures are only a glimpse of the excellence this business school offers. That’s because, besides quality education, SES provides a valuable network and connection to the business community.
16 Linnaeus University
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Linnaeus University is a public university located in the city of Växjö, Sweden. Although it is a young university just founded in 2010, it is recognized as one of the best-performing universities in the country. Linnaeus was built on the principle of helping the country by providing top-quality education with affordable tuition fees and great facilities.
17 Karlstad University
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Karlstad University has a long history in the field of education. It started its journey as a campus for the University of Gothenburg but later became an independent university. It was recognized as a fully fledged university in 1999. The main advantages of this university are that it offers all levels of study in distinguished fields such as law, economics, and music, from which students can benefit from great educational experiences from renowned professors.
18 Malardalens University
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Malardalens University is a world-renowned university that offers the best formal education possible. It was established in 1977 and is located in the city of Vasteras, Sweden. Within its modern campuses, the university offers programs in the fields of analytical finance, chamber music, and analytical engineering for both undergraduates and graduates.
19 Mid Sweden University
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The name Mittuniversitetet, or Mid Sweden University in English, perfectly fits the institution that sits at the heart of Sweden. This two-campus university has campuses in Sundsvall and Östersund, which are geographically convenient. Beyond location, the high education quality and core values also draw students to Mittuniversitetet, whether they are local or foreign. The institution respects fundamental values, such as equality and diversity, foundational to optimized learning.
Besides the values, location, and overall excellent education quality, Mid Sweden University ups the bar by providing international or English-taught programs. This makes the transition easier for international students and provides opportunities for locals to pursue English courses.
20 Halmstad University
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Halmstad University is a traditional public university that was established in 1983. This university is well-known for providing and offering bachelor’s and master’s programs in a variety of fields of study, as well as the opportunity to continue their Ph.D. studies for some of the degrees offered. The main advantage that this university possesses is the fact that the tuition fees are affordable, and it also offers almost all programs in both English and Swedish.
21 Blekinge Institute of Technology
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The Blekinge Institute of Technology is one of the most well-known technological universities in the country. This university is located in the city of Karlskrona, and it was established in 1989. The main attractive programs at this university are sustainability management, business administration, and computer science, which are supported by some of the best-established facilities for theoretical and practical work.
22 University of Skovde
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The University of Skövde is a public institution that offers higher degree studies and specializes in one- and two-year master’s degrees. This university offers programs in various fields of study, such as business, law, and game development, and the main advantage of this university is that the lectures are taught by renowned professors recognized as experts in the field of education.
23 Sodertorn University
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The Södertörn University is a well-established public institution that houses over 13,000 domestic and international students that study in fields such as economics, management, and art history. The university is located in Huddinge, Sweden, and was established in 1966. This institution is mostly focused on providing master’s degree studies comprised of great professors and excellent teaching facilities.
24 Kristianstad University
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25 University West
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The University West is a young and modern university that was established in 1990 in the region of Trollhattan, Sweden. This university is focused on providing formal education in the fields of economics, finance, and management. The main focus of this university is to increase the number of programs and students in order to increase its ranking and become one of the best-ranked universities in the country.
26 Dalarna University
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Dalarna University was established in 1977 as the main public university in the region of Falun, Sweden. This university offers all levels of study and is specialized in the fields of economics, applied English linguistics, and international tourism management, from which students can benefit from many support packages in the form of scholarships. The main objective of this university is to improve the literacy rate in the country by supporting formal education.
27 University of Boras
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The University of Boras, also known as the University College of Boras, is a Swedish institution that primarily offers tertiary-level programs, from bachelor’s to doctorate. It has access to crucial resources and facilities, including the Swedish School of Textiles. Thus, there is no surprise that most of the university’s English-taught programs are related to fashion and textiles. Besides such subjects, the University of Boras also covers different disciplines through its faculties in engineering, business, caring science, social welfare, economics, IT, and more.
28 World Maritime University
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The World Maritime University is a one-of-a-kind university that was established through the International Maritime Organization and is supported and covered by the United Nations. This institution was established in 1983 and specializes in master’s degree studies in the fields of marine time affairs and ocean policies. The main objective of this educational institution is to spread the goals and aims of the organization.
29 University of Gavle
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The University of Gävle is a public university that was established in 1977 in the region of Gavle, Russia. This university is known as the “University of Gävle” in the English language, but it is officially recognized as a “University College.” The main objective of this university is to establish a cooperation relationship with all the domestic universities so that it can contribute to the development of the education system.
30 Marie Cederschiold College
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The Marie Cederschiöld College is a young educational institution that focuses on medical programs. This university, known before as Ersta Sköndal Bräcke College, is an institution that is recognized for having affordable tuition fees and a lot of scholarship options for both domestic and international students.
31 Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences
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The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences is one of the oldest physical and sports institutions in the country. This university is located in Stockholm, and it provides study programs for all available levels, where students can gain multiple scholarships in order to make their studies easier. The main attraction of this university is the state-of-the-art facilities that it uses for its studies, which are very attractive to both domestic and international students.
32 Royal Institute of Art
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The Royal Institute of Art is one of the oldest higher educational institutions and dates back to 1735. This university is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and it is an essential university in the field of fine arts. The main objective of this university is not to have a lot of students but to provide great educational opportunities for talented students.
33 Konstfack – University of Arts, Crafts and Design
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The Konstfack, or University of Arts, Crafts, and Designis a one-of-a-kind university in Stockholm, Sweden. This university is focused on crafts and designs that equip students with the necessary skills in different fields, such as arts and fashion. The main objective of this university is to offer practical opportunities for students to showcase their natural talents and abilities.
34 Sophiahemmet University
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The Sophiahemmet University is a medical university located in Stockholm, Sweden. This university was established in 1884 and is a credible institution that offers its studies in the Swedish language. The main goal of this prestigious university is to establish better medical and nursing education and raise the medical level in the country.
35 Swedish Red Cross University
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The Swedish Red Cross University is a part of a major organization that serves as a university in the city of Huddinge, Sweden. This institution was founded in 1867, and it is recognized as a nursing university that offers degrees in that field as well as a lot of courses and training that are related to medicine. The main objective of this university is to equip students with the appropriate knowledge so that they can continue to save lives after graduation.
36 Royal College of Music – Sweden
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The Royal College of Music, Stockholm, or, as it is known in the native language, Kungliga Musikhögskolan I Stockholm, is a music-oriented university that aims to develop and attain new musical talents from the new talented generation of students. This university was established in 1771 and is officially the oldest musical university in the country. It has served as a reference point for other universities that are currently developing.
37 Beckmans College of Design
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The Beckmans College of Design is a university focused on the field of arts and design. This university was established in 1939 and is recognized because it houses around 126 students. This university is located in Lidingo and offers free tuition for normal studies. Students here are only required to pay for the materials needed for the education that is normally done once a year.
38 Newman Institute
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The Newman Institute is a special institution because it focuses mostly on the quality of the programs instead of the quantity. This university offers various bachelor’s and master’s degree studies in the fields of theology and philosophy, from which students can gain skills and become experts in their relevant fields. The main objective of this university is to increase the number of programs and students so they can become more relevant.
39 Stockholm University of the Arts
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The Stockholm University of the Arts is a special university in the heart of Sweden. This university is one of the youngest universities in Stockholm, and it is fully devoted to the development of art, with specializations in the field of dancing, directing, and cinematography. The main objective of this university is to develop art in the country and help talented students and artists.
Education is one of the biggest investments a person can make. Many international students have found their school funds best spent in Sweden, particularly in these best-value universities we have shared above. Thus, it’s a great idea to include them in your list of institutions for studying abroad.