Kuala Lumpur Ranked 6th Most Student-Friendly City in Asia

Kuala Lumpur has once again made its mark on the global education map, securing the 6th spot in Asia and 23rd place worldwide in the QS Best Student Cities 2025 rankings. The recognition highlights Malaysia’s growing appeal as a destination for international students, particularly excelling in Employer Activity and Affordability.

The QS Best Student Cities ranking evaluates cities based on six key factors:

• Student View – Measures student satisfaction and likelihood of recommending the city.

• Student Mix – Assesses diversity and inclusiveness within the student community.

• Employer Activity – Indicates how attractive the city is to employers and career prospects for graduates.

• Desirability – Reflects quality of life, safety, and cultural appeal.

• Affordability – Considers living costs, tuition fees, and overall expenses.

• Rankings – Accounts for the number of top-ranked universities in the city.

Kuala Lumpur achieved an overall score of 85.4, with its strongest performance in Employer Activity (85.1) and Affordability (69.7), reinforcing its reputation as a budget-friendly city with strong job opportunities. However, it scored lower in Desirability (52.5) and Student Mix (68.7), indicating potential areas for growth in cultural diversity and student experience.

The QS rankings place Tokyo as the best student city in Asia and 2nd globally with a near-perfect 99.2 score. Singapore, another regional favorite, ranks 4th in Asia and 15th globally.

Here’s how the top Asian cities ranked:

1. Tokyo, Japan (Rank 2 globally)

2. Seoul, South Korea (Rank 3)

3. Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe, Japan (Rank 12)

4. Singapore (Rank 15)

5. Hong Kong SAR (Rank 22)

6. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Rank 23)

7. Taipei, Taiwan (Rank 26)

8. Beijing, China (Rank 31)

9. Shanghai, China (Rank 46)

10. Bangkok, Thailand (Rank 59)

With its strong performance in key areas, Kuala Lumpur continues to rise as a leading student city, offering a blend of affordability, career prospects, and vibrant academic opportunities.

Source: QS Best Student Cities