25 Best Universities In Israel For International Students 2026

If you are looking to study in Israel, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 33 universities and colleges in Israel, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 33 universities in Israel, Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University of Jerusalem are the top-performing schools in Israel. This list covers both public and private institutions in Israel.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Israel. 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 Israel.

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

Applying to the universities in Israel 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 Israel to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

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

Tuition fees at Israel’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 9,809 ILS to 64,600 ILS , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 9,809 ILS to 105,000 ILS. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Israel!

As we cover the best universities in Israel 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 Israel for International Students

Tel Aviv University is considered the best university in the country of Israel. It offers a wide range of academic programs that focuses on enhancing the critical skills, professionalism, and ethics of its students. The university highly invests in facilities and equipment in order to aid the research endeavors of students enrolled. At the moment, it continues to put up above-standard education through its assessments and scholastic activities.

Founded in 1918, with aid from prominent figures like Albert Einstein and Dr. Chaim Weizmann, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) is the second-oldest university in Israel. Ever since its founding, the university has strived to be the best in Israel, establishing itself as Israel’s premier university. According to QS rankings, HUJI is the highest-ranked Israeli university.

Furthermore, the university has garnered favorable international recognition for its outstanding accomplishments in research, science, and technology, even receiving eight Nobel prizes. As a result, HUJI is responsible for numerous patents and innovations and is home to over 100 research centers and institutes.

Established in 1924 before the state of Israel came into existence, the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology is the oldest university in Israel. The Technion is one of the top universities in Israel and the best technical university in the country. It has produced leading experts in science, engineering, entrepreneurship, and technology, and its graduates have driven the technological revolution in Israel and on the global stage. As a testament to Technion’s achievements in science and technology, three of the university’s faculty members have Nobel laureates in chemistry.

Weizmann Institute of Science is a public research institution in Rehovot focusing on natural and physical sciences and their applications. It is one of the world’s leading scientific multidisciplinary research institutions and has distinguished itself with its numerous contributions to knowledge through impactful publications and insightful discoveries. Some of its notable achievements are the invention of amniocentesis and the discovery of the gene responsible for tumor suppression.

The Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) is one of the leading research universities in the Middle East and among the top five universities in Israel according to U.S. News & World Report universities ranking. BGU is popular in Israel due to its emphasis on sustainability research and its commitment to maximizing the potential of the Negev desert. As a result, BGU offers the best environmental and desert studies programs available in the Middle East.

The University of Haifa is a public institution of higher learning located on Mount Carmel in the North of Israel. It is one of Israel’s most prestigious universities and continually strives to become a top international university by focusing on the quality of its research and academic excellence. The university has a rich and diverse student population and is the Israeli university with the highest Arab-Israeli population.

Reichman University is the first private university in Israel and is also the country’s largest international school. It was established in 1994 by a distinguished Israeli professor to provide innovative higher education programs adopting the models of Ivy League institutions in the United States. The university is committed to providing its students with all the necessary resources and opportunities to train them to become future leaders of the country.

Ariel University is located at the highest point of the city of Ariel, overlooking the breathtaking views of the country’s valleys and mountains. Since 1982, the university has been consistent in maintaining quality teachings and assessments in order to guide individuals in their journey of becoming future professionals. It has already played a major role in the development of Israel’s commercial, cultural, and industrial centers.

Holon Institute of Technology (HIT) is an academic institution in Israel focusing on science, technology, design, and management. By concentrating on these four industrially impactful areas of education, HIT supports Israel in its drive to become the technology capital of the world. Furthermore, the institution strives to be a place of creativity and innovation by supporting multidisciplinary education and the entrepreneurial spirit.

Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT) is a private institution of higher learning in Jerusalem that specializes in providing science and technology education to the Jewish community. It is the first institution in Israel to cater to the cultural needs of Haredi women by providing a top-notch and separate campus that caters to their education while maintaining the values of their ultra-orthodox upbringing.

The institution also welcomes students from other backgrounds. Students from strict religious backgrounds who desire separation of the sexes will find JCT the perfect option. JCT operates separate campuses for men and women, with its Lev campus dedicated to male education and its Tal and Lustig campuses for female education.

Established in Jerusalem in 1906, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design is the first art school in Israel. It is also the best design and art school in Israel and one of the catalysts for Israel’s cultural development. The school is committed to producing excellent artists, designers, and architects that can meet the challenges of contemporary society.

Founded in 1978, the College of Management Academic Studies (COLMAN) is the first private institution of higher learning to be recognized by Israel’s Council for Higher Education. COLMAN focuses on training experts in highly applicable and impactful fields like technology, media, and management. Specializing in these fields helps COLMAN provide excellent education to its students and develop close ties with the industry. COLMAN’s strong ties to the industry further bestow it with the capacity to produce competent and employable graduates well-suited for the contemporary work environment.

Ono Academic College is driven by the belief that education is the best resource to achieve national, economic, and societal development. Through advanced training and a multicultural education curriculum, the institution can fuel the social awareness of its students, allowing them to achieve self-fulfillment and professional success in the future. To date, it continues to expand its academic offerings and collaborates with external organizations in order to deliver the best education possible to its students.

Established in 1963, Sapir Academic College is known to be the largest institution for higher education in the country. It takes pride in its diverse campus that facilitates a friendly and inclusive atmosphere for individuals from all sectors of society, from Israel and overseas. The university is also widely recognized for its innovative programs, especially in engineering sciences, management, and social development.

The Ruppin Academic Center, also called Ruppin College, is a college in the Hefer Valley region, a coastal region in the North of Israel. Ruppin College offers one of the best marine programs available in Israel. As a testament to its excellence in marine science, the school operates two campus locations, with the second campus located on the sea, near Mikhmoret.

Braude College of Engineering or ORT Braude College is an institution of higher learning specializing in engineering and science. The university prides itself on its regional connection to industries, local companies, and entrepreneurs. These ties to industry are utilized in a program the university calls the ‘Galilee EcoSystem,’ which allows it to provide its students with innovative internship programs, ensuring the students gain advanced skills and hands-on experience.

Afeka Tel Aviv Academic College of Engineering believes engineers to be the backbone of technological progress and the reason for Isreal’s industrial success. Afeka College hopes to continue contributing to this success by producing entrepreneurial-minded and innovative engineers equipped with the knowledge, mindset, and skills needed to drive positive change. In line with its vision, the college adopts new methods of engineering education that rely on providing hands-on experience to the student and encourages dynamic interaction in the classroom.

Academic College of Tel Aviv Yaffo embraces an accessible, inclusive, and participative education for all its students. Its main objective is to create a safe space for individuals to learn and achieve their dreams. The institution actively connects with numerous external associations, enterprises, and companies in order to deliver much-realistic training and teaching approach.

Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies is an institution in Jerusalem dedicated to Jewish studies and research. The institution acts like a graduate school and primarily focuses on Jewish studies, dealing with subjects like Jewish history, culture, language, and archaeology. It also incorporates a Rabbinical seminary and a continuing education center that disseminates Jewish knowledge in diverse languages to Israelis and fresh immigrants.

The institution’s core value is to promote Jewish culture and oneness and integrate traditional Jewish values with the modern way of thinking.

The Western Galilee Academic College is an institution of higher learning in the City of Acre, which is located in Israel’s northern region. It is among the colleges in Northern Israel, driving social growth and economic development through research and collaboration. The college prides itself on excellence in the socioeconomic fields and its numerous partnerships with leaders in the social and business communities.

Established in 1996 by prominent figures in Jerusalem to promote the city’s development into an industrial and scientific center, Azrieli College of Engineering has developed into an influential institution in Israel. The college has an advanced entrepreneurship course that equips graduates with the tools to become a start-up owner or an entrepreneur. Azrieli College is so committed to innovation and entrepreneurship that it operates its accelerator program called AtoBe Startup Accelerator. This program has been so impactful that it has catalyzed the creation of numerous new start-up companies in Israel.

Established by the Beer Tuvia Regional Council to cater to the education of rural agricultural communities in the region, Achva Academic College (AAC) has developed into an outstanding academic institution. The college promotes inclusivity and diversity and is a testament to a successful model of Jewish-Arabic co-existence in Israel.

AAC is a community-oriented college and considers the unique regional needs of Beer Tuvia when developing courses and programs. As a result of this approach, the college has developed distinctive paramedic, teacher training and cultural sensitivity programs that are among the best in Israel.

Jerusalem Multidisciplinary College styles itself as a unique and career-focused institution dedicated to providing students with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career. As a result, the college offers programs in high-demand fields and places great emphasis on hands-on training and practice-based learning. Furthermore, it partners with various industries and communities, allowing it to provide professional internships and practical instruction to its students.

The College of Law and Business is a private Israeli institution in Ramat Gan with a global perspective on business, education, and law. It strives to train internationally employable individuals well-equipped to meet the demands of the modern market economy. Due to its international orientation, the college aims to be a universal training hub for legal and business professionals and welcomes students from all backgrounds and cultures.

Ashkelon Academic College is a public institution that aims to adhere to its academic goals by providing students with top-quality education and research. The college has a variety of study programs that are subdivided into different specializations to ensure that the curriculum is aligned with the interests and/or preferred career paths of its students. From the many developments that the university has made over the years, it has been able to form new partnerships with several other institutions allowing interactions within and outside the college. This in turn has attracted students from both the local region as well as internationally.