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List of Swiss universities by enrollment

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of Swiss universities and other higher education institutions according to the size of their student population recognized by the Federal Higher Education Act, HEdA.[1]

Universities and higher education institutions in Switzerland by size

The following list ranks Swiss higher education institutions by their student population. Higher education in Switzerland is divided into three main sectors: traditional universities (Universitäre Hochschulen), universities of applied sciences and arts (Fachhochschulen), and universities of teacher education (Pädagogische Hochschulen).

Methodology and Scope

Student numbers refer to the most recent official data available for each institution (2024-2025) and include students enrolled in degree programmes (Bachelor, Master, and PhD), excluding continuing education (CAS, DAS, MAS), in line with Swiss Federal Statistical Office (BFS) methodology. For large networks such as HES-SO and SUPSI, the data reflects consolidated degree-seeking students. Data may refer to different academic years depending on institutional reporting practices.

More information Rank, Institution ...
RankInstitutionTypeTotal studentsYearRemarks
1University of ZurichUniversity28,664[2]2025Official institutional data
2ETH ZurichUniversity26,198[3]2025Official institutional data
3HES-SOUniversity of Applied Sciences and Arts21,195[4]2025Official institutional data
4University of BernUniversity19,741[5]2025Official institutional data
5University of GenevaUniversity18,241[6]2025Official institutional data
6University of LausanneUniversity17,197[7]2025Official institutional data
7Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)University of Applied Sciences and Arts14,619[8]2025Official institutional data
8University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW)University of Applied Sciences and Arts14,527[9]2025Official institutional data
9EPFLUniversity14,072[10]2025Official institutional data
10University of BaselUniversity13,325[11]2024Official institutional data
11University of FribourgUniversity9,872[12]2024Official institutional data
12University of St. GallenUniversity9,987[13]2024/25Official institutional data
13Lucerne University of Applied SciencesUniversity of Applied Sciences and Arts8,451[14]2024Degree students only
14Bern University of Applied SciencesUniversity of Applied Sciences and Arts7,891[15]2024Degree students only
15SUPSIUniversity of Applied Sciences and Arts6,121[16]2024/25Excluding FFHS and DFA
16University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland (OST)University of Applied Sciences and Arts5,150[17]2024Official institutional data
17Università della Svizzera italiana (USI)University4,749[18]2025Official institutional data
18Zurich University of Teacher EducationUniversity of Teacher Education4,611[19]2024Degree students only
19University of NeuchâtelUniversity4,442[20]2024Official institutional data
20École hôtelière de LausanneUniversity of Applied Sciences and Arts4,031[21]2024Official institutional data
21University of Teacher Education, State of VaudUniversity of Teacher Education3,854[22]2024Degree students only
22Kalaidos University of Applied SciencesUniversity of Applied Sciences and Arts3,522[23]2024Official institutional data
23University of LucerneUniversity3,446[24]2024/25Official institutional data
24HWZ University of Applied Sciences in Business AdministrationUniversity of Applied Sciences and Arts3,391[25]2024Official institutional data
25Pädagogische Hochschule BernUniversity of Teacher Education3,149[26]2024Degree students only
26Swiss Distance University of Applied SciencesUniversity of Applied Sciences and Arts2,982[27]2024Official institutional data
27UniDistance SuisseUniversity institution2,448[28]2024/25Official institutional data
28University of Applied Sciences of the GrisonsUniversity of Applied Sciences and Arts2,380[29]2024Official institutional data
29University of Teacher Education LucerneUniversity of Teacher Education2,156[30]2024Official institutional data
30Zurich University of the ArtsUniversity of Applied Sciences and Arts2,125[31]2024Official institutional data
31Swiss Federal University for Vocational EducationUniversity of Teacher Education1,914[32]2024Official institutional data
32St. Gallen University of Teacher EducationUniversity of Teacher Education1,452[33]2024Official institutional data
33Graduate Institute of International and Development StudiesUniversity institution1,141[34]2024Postgraduate degree students
34University of Teacher Education BEJUNEUniversity of Teacher Education912[35]2024Official institutional data
35Thurgau University of Teacher EducationUniversity of Teacher Education842[36]2024Official institutional data
36University of Fribourg Institute of Teacher EducationUniversity of Teacher Education718[37]2024Degree students only
37University of Teacher Education ValaisUniversity of Teacher Education641[38]2024Official institutional data
38University of Geneva Institute of Teacher EducationUniversity of Teacher Education584[39]2024Degree students only
39University of Teacher Education FribourgUniversity of Teacher Education562[40]2024Official institutional data
40Department of Education and Learning SUPSIUniversity of Teacher Education498[41]2024/25Degree students only
41University of Teacher Education of GrisonsUniversity of Teacher Education422[42]2024Official institutional data
42Schwyz University of Teacher EducationUniversity of Teacher Education414[43]2024Official institutional data
43Franklin University SwitzerlandUniversity institution405[44]2025Degree students only
44University of Teacher Education ZugUniversity of Teacher Education392[45]2024Official institutional data
45Teacher Training University SchaffhausenUniversity of Teacher Education238[46]2024Official institutional data
46Pädagogisches Hochschulinstitut NMS BernUniversity of Teacher Education218[47]2024Official institutional data
47Theological Faculty of LuganoUniversity institution182[48]2024/25Official institutional data
48Theological Faculty of ChurUniversity institution62[49]2024Official institutional data
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