15 Best Universities In Dalian For International Students 2025

Dalian is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in China. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 15 universities and colleges in Dalian, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 15 universities in Dalian, Dalian University of Technology and Dalian Maritime University are the top-performing schools in Dalian. This list covers both public and private institutions in Dalian.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Dalian, Liaoning. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Dalian, Liaoning.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Dalian?

Applying to the universities in Dalian involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Dalian to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Dalian?

Tuition fees at Dalian’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 18,000 RMB to 45,000 RMB , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 23,000 RMB to 41,000 RMB. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Dalian!

As we cover the best universities in Dalian for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Dalian for International Students

The Dalian University of Technology is one of China’s prestigious and globally recognized institutions. Over the years, the university has produced a pool of talented and skillful graduates employed in various private and public industry sectors. The education provided by the university proved to be one of the highest standards in China. With multi-disciplinary programs and qualified instructors, it is no doubt that it is the preferred choice of local and international students.

Dalian Maritime University was initially founded as Dalian Marine College in 1953, however, its roots can be traced back to 1909 when a Shipping Management Section was formed by the Nanyang Institute in Shanghai. Dalian Maritime University, abbreviated as DMU, was the result of three marine institutions merging together: Northeast Navigation College, Fujian Navigation School, and Shanghai Nautical College. DMU boasts its specializations in offering programs in navigation, marine technology, and marine engineering.

Dongbei University of Finance and Economics (DUFE) is a large public institution in Dalian, China. Its programs focus on finance, economics, management, and law. It also has courses in arts and sciences. DUFE also has strong relationships with foreign universities, allowing cooperation and exchange programs.

Dalian Medical University’s history goes back to 1947, when it was first called Kanto Medical School. Over the years, it experienced merging, separation, relocation, and return to its original place. Such experiences helped shape and transform it into a world-class medical school. Several of its programs are well-ranked, one at a national and several at the provincial level.

Dalian University of Foreign Languages was initially established to teach elite politicians and foreign diplomats the Japanese translation and language. While still providing the Japanese language program, the institution has gradually progressed into an interdisciplinary university that offers a wide array of academic disciplines in foreign language and literature, management, economics, art, engineering, and law. Furthermore, as a prominent institution that offers foreign language programs, the university employs highly qualified local and international instructors from across the globe.

Liaoning Normal University was founded in 1951 in Dalian, northern China. Also known as LNNU, Liaoning Normal University has two campuses: the Huanghe Road Campus and the Western Hill Campus. LNNU is one of the renowned institutions of higher learning not only in Liaoning Province but also across China.

Dalian Jiaotong University upholds a student-centered curriculum and takes pride in being one of the leading universities in the Liaoning Province. The university has successfully established stable international relations, cooperating with more than 30 schools worldwide. In recent years, Dalian Jiaotong University has further strengthened its research activities.

Dalian Polytechnic University is perceived to be a global university. It highly promotes internationalization on its campus by accepting international students and collaborating with other neighboring countries. In addition, one of its primary goals is to offer interdisciplinary programs that are open to all students across the globe regardless of nationality and background.

Dalian Ocean University is a public institution in Northern China specializing in oceanography and fisheries. However, they also include other disciplines like engineering, arts, law, agriculture, etc. The university started as the Northeast Fisheries Technical School in 1952 and earned its present name in 2010. All three campuses of Dalian Ocean University are located in the city: Huanghai, Bohai, and Wafangdian.

Dalian University is a public university located in the dazzling province of Liaoning. The university has a fascinating history that can be dated back to 1949. Its past includes renaming, rebranding and redevelopments before using its official name Dalian University. It became an independent university in 1987. At present, the university continues to provide high-quality education in the northeast region of China.

Dalian Nationalities University is also known as Dalian Minzu University. It is in Liaoning, China, and was established in 1997. The institution is leading in its region, especially in engineering, technology, and applied science. It comprises nine colleges and also offers courses in arts, economics, business, and management.

Dalian Neusoft University of Information (DNUI), a private institution in Dalian, also has campuses in Foshan and Chengdu. It was formed by a collaboration between two tech companies: Neusoft Group and Dalian Software Park Co., Ltd. Such spirit of partnership extends to the university, which has cooperative relationships with over 90 universities abroad. DNUI’s academic performance cannot be understated, as it is ranked among China’s top private and overall universities by various ranking groups.

The Liaoning University of International Business and Economics, or LUIBE, was founded in 1998. It is located in the city of Dalian, Liaoning Province. LUIBE grants higher education degrees across different fields of study as recognized by the Educational Department of Liaoning Province.

Dalian University of Finance and Economics was formed in 2001. It has developed innovative interdisciplinary programs in selected academic disciplines, with the majority of its courses focused on areas of management and economics. Educating talented and well-rounded individuals is the primary goal of the university. And while the school is already highly respected in Liaoning province, it continuously thrives to improve to turn into a first-class institution in China.

Dalian University of Science and Technology is a privately-funded institution. It is located in Liaoning province. It is ranked 622nd in China and 14th in Dalian by EduRank.