Turkey offers a wide range of top-ranked universities, both public and private, that attract thousands of international students every year. Known for quality education, modern campuses, and diverse programs taught in English and Turkish, Turkish universities have gained a strong reputation globally. In this article, we explore the best-ranked universities in Turkey, highlighting their unique strengths and key advantages for international students. At Itqan Educational Consulting, we will guide you through this article to learn about the best universities in Turkey and help you secure a free admission there. THE BEST PRIVATE & PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN TURKEY (NATIONAL RANKING) Turkey is home to some of the best universities in the region, including top-ranked public and private institutions that teach in English [https://itqaneducation.com/en/blogs/turkish-universities-teaching-in-english], Turkish, and even French. These universities stand out for their national rankings, strong academic reputation, and growing appeal among international students. Hacettepe University Located in Ankara, Hacettepe University ranks among Turkey’s top public universities, known especially for its leading medical programs and over 110 academic courses taught in Turkish, English, and French. Middle East Technical University (METU) METU in Ankara is a top-ranked technical university famous for engineering [https://itqaneducation.com/en/blogs/engineering-major]and sciences, offering strong programs in arts, economics, and education with a campus also in Northern Cyprus. Istanbul University As one of Turkey’s oldest and largest universities, Istanbul University enrolls over 60,000 students and provides diverse undergraduate and graduate programs, highly regarded locally and internationally. Koç University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/ko-university] Koç University in Istanbul is a prestigious private institution recognized for excellence in engineering and business, offering modern facilities and top-ranked bachelor’s and graduate programs. Anadolu University Anadolu University in Eskişehir is a leading public university known for its wide academic disciplines and strong global rankings, attracting many international students to Turkey. Boğaziçi University Located in Istanbul, Boğaziçi University is a top public university known for academic rigor, diverse faculties, and a scenic campus overlooking the Bosphorus, favored by local and international students. Ankara University Ankara University is a respected research university in Turkey’s capital, offering extensive programs in medicine [https://itqaneducation.com/en/blogs/studying-medicine-in-turkey], engineering, political science, and health sciences with over 65,000 students. Atatürk University Atatürk University in Erzurum is one of Turkey’s largest universities, providing a broad range of programs including medicine and law, and hosting more than 90,000 students. Dokuz Eylül University Located in İzmir, Dokuz Eylül University offers diverse faculties and programs in Turkish and English, focusing on research and modern education methods, popular among international students. Marmara University Marmara University in Istanbul serves over 60,000 students with multilingual courses in Turkish, English, German, and French, making it a top choice for international academic programs. Discover Best Majors for Women [https://itqaneducation.com/en/blogs/best-majors-for-women] in 2025 Find out the advantages of studying in Turkey [https://itqaneducation.com/en/blogs/advantages-of-studying-in-turkey] that make it an ideal destination for students seeking both academic excellence and personal growth. THE BEST PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN TURKEY (NATIONAL RANKING) Private universities in Turkey are gaining increasing popularity among international students for their modern campuses, English-taught programs, and globally competitive education. Based on national rankings, these top Turkish private universities offer high academic standards, especially in fields like engineering, medicine, and business. You can read here about Best Majors for the Future [https://itqaneducation.com/en/blogs/best-majors-for-the-future] that offered in best Turkish universities Top Ranked private Turkish Universities include: Istanbul Aydin University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/istanbul-aydin-university] Aydın University is a leading private medical university in Turkey with advanced facilities, ranked among the top 10 nationwide and recognized across the Middle East and Europe. Biruni University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/biruni-university] Founded in 2014, Biruni University in Istanbul excels in medical education, using advanced scientific methods and is recognized in many Arab countries. Istanbul Bahcesehir University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/istanbul-bahcesehir-university] Located in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district, Bahçeşehir University offers diverse programs and is highly ranked for quality education and modern curricula. Istanbul Medipol University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/istanbul-medipol-university] Medipol University has Turkey’s largest campus and offers 30 internationally accredited programs, recognized across the Middle East and Europe. Istinye University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/university-of-estonia] Istinye University was established in 2015 with the aim of becoming an academic institution that produces knowledge through scientific research. The university continuously updates its higher education system to keep pace with global technology and scientific developments, which has earned it a distinguished position among the top 10 private universities in Turkey. Altınbaş University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/altnba-university] Established in 2008, Altınbaş University in Istanbul hosts 5,000+ international students and is praised for academic excellence and global recognition. Istanbul Gelişim University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/istanbul-geliim-university] Gelişim University in Istanbul is top-ranked for dentistry and engineering, holding international accreditations and attracting students from the Middle East. Istanbul Atlas University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/istanbul-atlas-univeristy] Located in European Istanbul, Atlas University offers high-quality education in both English and Turkish with experienced faculty across disciplines. Ankara Medipol University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/ankara-medipol-university] Medipol University Ankara, founded in 2018, provides modern curricula and skill-based training with 10 faculties and 3 vocational schools. Uskudar University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/uskudar-university] Known for psychology and political science, Üsküdar University in Istanbul integrates advanced teaching methods and scientific research. Istanbul Kent University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/istanbul-kent-university] Istanbul Kent University offers distinguished faculties including health sciences and dentistry, gaining a strong national ranking recently. Istanbul Nisantasi University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/istanbul-nisantash-university] Nişantaşı University is a leading architecture school in Turkey, accredited internationally and recognized for strong academic programs. Fenerbahce University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/fenerbahce-university-in-trkiye] Located in Istanbul’s Ataşehir, Fenerbahçe University offers high-quality education with advanced facilities and sports centers. Istanbul Kultur University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/istanbul-kultur-university] Founded in 1997, Kültür University is one of Turkey’s oldest private universities, emphasizing modern technology and community service. Bilkent University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/bilkent-university] Bilkent University, with four campuses in Istanbul, ranks among Turkey’s and the world’s top universities, focusing on high-quality education and research. Istanbul Bilgi University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/istanbul-bilgi-university] Established in 1996, Istanbul Bilgi University is a top Turkish university for engineering, promoting lifelong learning and quality academic programs. Yeni Yüzyıl University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/yeni-yzyl-university] Yeni Yüzyıl University focuses on practical and professional training, attracting thousands of students with modern education and experienced faculty. Ostim University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/ostim-university] Located in Ankara, OSTIM Technical University offers practical training in applied sciences with 3 faculties and a vocational school. Atilim University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/atilim-university] Atılım University provides high-level academic and research programs, continuously improving education quality since 1997. Istanbul Gedik University [https://itqaneducation.com/en/university/istanbul-gedik] With 5 campuses in Istanbul, Gedik University emphasizes technology-based education and practical learning across multiple faculties. Related topics: The Cheapest Private Universities [https://itqaneducation.com/en/blogs/cheapest-private-universities-in-turkey] in Turkey for 2025 The Best University Majors [https://itqaneducation.com/en/blogs/best-university-majors] FAQ What Are the Most Famous Universities in Istanbul? The list of the most renowned universities in Istanbul includes the following institutions: * Yeditepe University * Koç University * Istanbul Bilgi University * Istanbul University * Marmara University * Istanbul Medipol University * Beykent University What Is the Number One University in Turkey? Hacettepe University has managed to top the rankings of Turkish universities thanks to its consistent publication of valuable and impactful scientific research. As a result, it has become a popular destination for international students. Istanbul University (İstanbul Üniversitesi) is also considered one of the best universities in Turkey and is regarded by many as the number one university in the country. Which Turkish Universities Are Internationally Recognized? The list of internationally recognized Turkish universities includes: * Istanbul Gelişim University * Bahçeşehir University * Istinye University * Gulf (Haliç) University * Özyeğin University * Istanbul Bilgi University * Istanbul Medipol University * Istanbul Aydın University What Is Turkey’s Global Ranking in Education? Turkey ranks second globally in terms of access to education, with a higher education enrollment rate reaching 94.2%. The country has successfully implemented the Bologna Process in higher education and earned a full score of 5 out of 5 in the Bologna evaluation. Which University in Turkey is in the Top 500? Several Turkish universities have earned spots in global rankings. Among them, Koç University, Middle East Technical University (METU), and Bilkent University are often listed among the top 500 universities worldwide, according to major ranking systems like QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE).
