260 Best Public Universities in Germany

The Federal Republic of Germany, or simply Germany, is a European country that can be your destination if you want to study abroad. It has public universities that offer affordable tuition rates, if not free, to students. This country in North-Central Europe can also give you an adventure like no other - from its historical landmarks and medieval castles to its mountains and forests to its modern city landscapes. Considering all these, studying in Germany means you’ll gain life learnings besides the ones taught inside the four-corners of the classroom.

There are 359 universities you can find in Germany, and 260 of them are public universities. Having these many choices makes Germany a great place for international students.

In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in Germany, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!

Can International Students Study in Public Universities in Germany?

Absolutely! International students in public universities in Germany can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.

As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Some public universities in Germany charge no tuition fees to international students, while others charge up to 7,560 Euros.

Rank University Location
1 Technical University of Munich Munich, Germany
2 Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Munich, Germany
3 Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg Heidelberg, Germany
4 Charity-University Medicine Berlin Berlin, Germany
5 Humboldt University of Berlin Berlin, Germany
6 Free University of Berlin Berlin, Germany
7 RWTH Aachen University Aachen, Germany
8 Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg Freiburg, Germany
9 Eberhard Karl University of Tübingen Tubingen, Germany
10 Rhenish Friedrich Wilhelm University of Bonn Bonn, Germany
11 Georg August University of Göttingen Gottingen, Germany
12 University of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
13 University of Bamberg Bamberg, Germany
14 Technical University of Berlin Berlin, Germany
15 University of Würzburg Wurzburg, Germany
16 Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Karlsruhe, Germany
17 Technical University of Dresden Dresden, Germany
18 Goethe University Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main, Germany
19 University of Cologne Cologne, Germany
20 University of Ulm Ulm, Germany
21 University of Münster Munster, Germany
22 Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg Erlangen, Germany
23 Ulm University of Applied Sciences Ulm, Germany
24 Ruhr University Bochum Bochum, Germany
25 Technical University of Darmstadt Darmstadt, Germany
26 University of Passau Passau, Germany
27 Friedrich Schiller University Jena Jena, Germany
28 Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz Mainz, Germany
29 Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel Kiel, Germany
30 Leipzig University Leipzig, Germany
31 University of Konstanz Konstanz, Germany
32 University of Duisburg-Essen Duisburg, Germany
33 Hannover Medical School Hannover, Germany
34 University of Potsdam Potsdam, Germany
35 University of Hohenheim Stuttgart, Germany
36 University of Stuttgart Stuttgart, Germany
37 University of Bremen Bremen, Germany
38 Leibniz University Hannover Hannover, Germany
39 University of Mannheim Mannheim, Germany
40 Bielefeld University Bielefeld, Germany
41 University of Giessen Giessen, Germany
42 Philipps University of Marburg Marburg, Germany
43 Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg Halle, Germany
44 Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf Dusseldorf, Germany
45 Technical University Dortmund Dortmund, Germany
46 Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg Magdeburg, Germany
47 University of Regensburg Regensburg, Germany
48 University of Bayreuth Bayreuth, Germany
49 Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus–Senftenberg Cottbus, Germany
50 Saarland University Saarbrucken, Germany
51 University of Wuppertal Wuppertal, Germany
52 Technical University of Kaiserslautern Kaiserslautern, Germany
53 Technical University of Braunschweig Brunswick, Germany
54 University of Greifswald Greifswald, Germany
55 University of Lübeck Lubeck, Germany
56 Chemnitz University of Technology Chemnitz, Germany
57 University of Rostock Rostock, Germany
58 Freiberg University of Mining and Technology Freiberg, Germany
59 Clausthal University of Technology Clausthal Zellerfeld, Germany
60 Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg Oldenburg, Germany
61 Ilmenau University of Technology Ilmenau, Germany
62 University of Siegen Siegen, Germany
63 Hamburg University of Technology Hamburg, Germany
64 Leuphana University of Lüneburg Luneburg, Germany
65 University of Kassel Kassel, Germany
66 Paderborn University Paderborn, Germany
67 University of Hagen Hagen, Germany
68 University of Trier Trier, Germany
69 University of Augsburg Augsburg, Germany
70 Osnabrück University Osnabruck, Germany
71 Bauhaus University, Weimar Weimar, Germany
72 University of Koblenz and Landau Koblenz, Germany
73 University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Hannover, Germany
74 Hamburg University of Applied Sciences Hamburg, Germany
75 HTW Berlin – University of Applied Sciences Berlin, Germany
76 University of Applied Sciences for Police and Public Administration in North Rhine-Westphalia Gelsenkirchen, Germany
77 Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences Kleve, Germany
78 Folkwang University of the Arts Essen, Germany
79 Munich University of Applied Sciences Munich, Germany
80 Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, Germany
81 University of Erfurt Erfurt, Germany
82 German Sport University Cologne Cologne, Germany
83 Cologne University of Applied Sciences Cologne, Germany
84 European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) Frankfurt am Main, Germany
85 Berliner Hochschule für Technik Berlin, Germany
86 Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt Eichstatt, Germany
87 Deggendorf Institute of Technology Deggendorf, Germany
88 Hannover University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hannover, Germany
89 Bundeswehr University Munich Munich, Germany
90 University of Hildesheim Hildesheim, Germany
91 FH Münster Munster, Germany
92 FH Aachen Aachen, Germany
93 Furtwangen University Furtwangen, Germany
94 Academy of Media Arts Cologne Cologne, Germany
95 Berlin University of the Arts Berlin, Germany
96 Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg, Germany
97 Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences Frankfurt am Main, Germany
98 Berlin School of Economics and Law Berlin, Germany
99 Fachhochschule Dortmund – University of Applied Sciences and Arts Dortmund, Germany
100 Reutlingen University Reutlingen, Germany
101 Leipzig University of Applied Sciences Leipzig, Germany
102 Hochschule Worms University of Applied Sciences Worms, Germany
103 Mainz University of Applied Sciences Mainz, Germany
104 City University of Applied Sciences Bremen, Germany
105 Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen University of Applied Sciences Giessen, Germany
106 Augsburg University of Applied Sciences Augsburg, Germany
107 Dresden University of Applied Sciences Dresden, Germany
108 Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences Bielefeld, Germany
109 Fulda University of Applied Science Fulda, Germany
110 Stuttgart Media University Stuttgart, Germany
111 Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences Karlsruhe, Germany
112 Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media Hannover, Germany
113 Mannheim University of Applied Sciences Mannheim, Germany
114 University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf Dusseldorf, Germany
115 Esslingen University of Applied Sciences Esslingen, Germany
116 Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences Heilbronn, Germany
117 Trier University of Applied Sciences Trier, Germany
118 Koblenz University of Applied Sciences Koblenz, Germany
119 Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences Zittau, Germany
120 Wismar University of Applied Sciences Wismar, Germany
121 Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, University of Applied Sciences Sankt Augustin, Germany
122 Pforzheim University Pforzheim, Germany
123 OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts Lemgo, Germany
124 Regensburg University of Applied Sciences Regensburg, Germany
125 Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau Wildau, Germany
126 Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Science Freising, Germany
127 University of Vechta Vechta, Germany
128 University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer Emden, Germany
129 RheinMain University of Applied Sciences Wiesbaden, Germany
130 Hochschule Mittweida University of Applied Sciences Mittweida, Germany
131 Anhalt University of Applied Sciences Kothen, Germany
132 University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern Kaiserslautern, Germany
133 HTWG Konstanz – University of Applied Sciences Konstanz, Germany
134 University of Applied Sciences Erfurt Erfurt, Germany
135 Offenburg University of Applied Sciences Offenburg, Germany
136 University of Flensburg Flensburg, Germany
137 Stuttgart Technology University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart, Germany
138 Jade University of Applied Sciences Wilhelmshaven, Germany
139 Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
140 Merseburg University of Applied Sciences Merseburg, Germany
141 Aalen University of Applied Sciences Aalen, Germany
142 Flensburg University of Applied Sciences Flensburg, Germany
143 Ludwigsburg University of Education Ludwigsburg, Germany
144 German University of Administrative Sciences Speyer Speyer, Germany
145 Braunschweig University of Art Brunswick, Germany
146 Nuertingen-Geislingen University Nuertingen, Germany
147 Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences Weingarten, Germany
148 University of Applied Sciences Landshut Landshut, Germany
149 Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig Leipzig, Germany
150 Westphalian University of Applied Sciences Gelsenkirchen, Germany
151 State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart Stuttgart, Germany
152 Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences Osnabruck, Germany
153 Potsdam University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, Germany
154 Kempten University of Applied Sciences Kempten, Germany
155 Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences Wolfenbuttel, Germany
156 State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart Stuttgart, Germany
157 Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck Lubeck, Germany
158 Harz University of Applied Sciences Wernigerode, Germany
159 University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar Weimar, Germany
160 Hof University Hof, Germany
161 HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts Hildesheim, Germany
162 Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences Krefeld, Germany
163 HafenCity University Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
164 Schwäbisch Gmünd University of Design Schwabisch Gmund, Germany
165 Ansbach University of Applied Sciences Ansbach, Germany
166 University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden Amberg, Germany
167 Nuremberg Institute of Technology Georg Simon Ohm Nuremberg, Germany
168 Konrad Wolf Film University of Babelsberg Potsdam, Germany
169 Geisenheim University Geisenheim, Germany
170 University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt Wurzburg, Germany
171 University of Music and Theatre “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy” Leipzig Leipzig, Germany
172 Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences Neu Ulm, Germany
173 Kiel University of Applied Sciences Kiel, Germany
174 Düsseldorf Art Academy Dusseldorf, Germany
175 Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society Ludwigshafen, Germany
176 University of Finance Rhineland-Palatinate Edenkoben, Germany
177 Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle Halle, Germany
178 Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences Schmalkalden, Germany
179 Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau – University of Applied Sciences Zwickau Zwickau, Germany
180 Cologne University of Music Cologne, Germany
181 Biberach University of Applied Sciences Biberach, Germany
182 South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences Iserlohn, Germany
183 Albstadt-Sigmaringen University Albstadt, Germany
184 Academy of Fine Arts Munich Munich, Germany
185 University of Music Würzburg Wurzburg, Germany
186 University of Fine Arts of Hamburg Hamburg, Germany
187 Bochum University of Applied Sciences Bochum, Germany
188 TH Bingen University of Applied Sciences Bingen am Rhein, Germany
189 Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design Karlsruhe, Germany
190 Dresden College of Music Dresden, Germany
191 Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences Nordhausen, Germany
192 Heidelberg University of Education Heidelberg, Germany
193 Saarland University of Applied Sciences (HTW Saar) Saarbrucken, Germany
194 Robert Schumann Conservatory Dusseldorf, Germany
195 Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany
196 Rosenheim University of Applied Sciences Rosenheim, Germany
197 Berlin-Weissensee Art Academy Berlin, Germany
198 Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg, Germany
199 University of the Arts Bremen Bremen, Germany
200 University of Education Freiburg Freiburg, Germany
201 Karlsruhe University of Education Karlsruhe, Germany
202 Freiburg University of Music Freiburg, Germany
203 Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development Eberswalde, Germany
204 Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin Berlin, Germany
205 Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences Ingolstadt, Germany
206 Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin Berlin, Germany
207 Protestant University of Applied Sciences Rhineland-Westphalia-Lippe Bochum, Germany
208 Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences Hamm, Germany
209 University of Applied Sciences Jena Jena, Germany
210 Protestant University of Applied Sciences Freiburg Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
211 West Coast University of Applied Sciences Heide, Germany
212 Offenbach University of Art and Design Offenbach, Germany
213 University of Education Schwäbisch Gmünd Schwabisch Gmund, Germany
214 University of Education Weingarten Weingarten, Germany
215 Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts Frankfurt am Main, Germany
216 Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts Berlin, Germany
217 University of Applied Sciences in Neubrandenburg Neubrandenburg, Germany
218 Saar College of Fine Arts Saarbrucken, Germany
219 Catholic University of Applied Social Sciences Berlin Berlin, Germany
220 Hochschule für Bildende Künste-Städelschule Frankfurt am Main, Germany
221 Karlsruhe University of Music Karlsruhe, Germany
222 State Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe Karlsruhe, Germany
223 Academy of Fine Arts, Nuremberg Nuremberg, Germany
224 Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences Aschaffenburg, Germany
225 University of Applied Health Sciences, Bochum Bochum, Germany
226 Merz Akademie Stuttgart, Germany
227 University of Music Lübeck Lubeck, Germany
228 Rostock University of Music and Drama Rostock, Germany
229 Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts Mannheim, Germany
230 University of Applied Sciences – Public Administration and Finance Ludwigsburg Ludwigsburg, Germany
231 University of Music and Performing Arts Munich Munich, Germany
232 Stralsund University of Applied Science Stralsund, Germany
233 Hochschule für Musik Detmold Detmold, Germany
234 Kehl School of Public Administration Kehl, Germany
235 Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Design Kiel, Germany
236 Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Trossingen Trossingen, Germany
237 Dresden University of Fine Arts Dresden, Germany
238 Palucca University of Dance Dresden Dresden, Germany
239 University of Applied Forest Sciences Rottenburg Tubingen, Germany
240 Diakonie University of Applied Sciences Bielefeld, Germany
241 Nuremberg University of Music Nuremberg, Germany
242 University of Music Saar Saarbrucken, Germany
243 University of Fine Arts Münster Munster, Germany
244 University of Applied Sciences for the Administration of Justice North Rhine-Westphalia Bad Munstereifel, Germany
245 Federal University of Applied Administrative Sciences Bruhl, Germany
246 University of Television and Film Munich Munich, Germany
247 Giessen School of Theology Giessen, Germany
248 Hochschule 21 Buxtehude, Germany
249 Gera-Eisenach University of Applied Sciences Gera, Germany
250 Protestant University of Applied Sciences in Darmstadt Darmstadt, Germany
251 Augustana Divinity School Neuendettelsau, Germany
252 University of Applied Sciences Bremerhaven Bremen, Germany
253 Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences Mulheim, Germany
254 University of Applied Labour Studies Mannheim, Germany
255 University of Public Administration Rhineland-Palatinate Mayen, Germany
256 Schwetzingen University of Applied Sciences for the Administration of Justice Schwetzingen, Germany
257 Hochschule für Öffentliche Verwaltung Bremen Bremen, Germany
258 University for Protestant Church Music in Bavaria Bayreuth, Germany
259 University of Finance North Rhine-Westphalia Nordkirchen, Germany
260 University of Applied Sciences of the Deutsche Bundesbank Hachenburg, Germany