List of Saudi public and private universities

There are 30 Saudi public universities, as well as 12 private and private universities, which contribute to diversifying the educational options available to all students wishing to study in Saudi Arabia.

From this organizational division, ten universities were distinguished as the most prominent and best in the Kingdom. Below we review the criteria that were considered in their classification:

Standards of Saudi universities

1. Number of students:
   The number of students enrolled in Saudi universities is one of the vital indicators that reflect the university’s acceptance and attractiveness to students. The high number is considered a positive sign of recognition of the quality of education provided.
2. Place and location:
   The university's location plays an important role in its attractiveness, as the location must be convenient and accessible, in addition to the availability of the environment surrounding the university that contributes to the student experience.
3. Teaching staff:
   The teaching staff is an essential factor in the quality of education, as students’ performance and success are affected by the skills and competencies of professors. Their experience and specializations are considered an indicator of the university’s strength.
4. Student Services:
   Student services include everything related to supporting and assisting students during their studies. These services include academic advising, psychological and social support, cultural and sporting activities, among others.
5. Student Facilities Programs:
   These programs include everything that facilitates students' on-campus experience, such as housing, transportation, and nutrition. These programs aim to provide a suitable and comfortable environment for students.
6. Scholarship programs:
   Scholarships are an important tool to encourage talented students and motivate them to achieve their potential. Providing scholarship programs that contribute to attracting distinguished talents and minds to the university.

Taking into account these criteria, the top 10 universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were ranked, which reflects excellence in many educational and service aspects.

The best universities in Saudi Arabia

1. King Abdulaziz University.
2. King Saud University.
3. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.
4. Umm Al Qura University.
5. Al-Faisal University.
6. Islamic University of Medina.
7. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
8. King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences.
9. Al-Farabi College in Saudi Arabia.
10. Princess Noura University.

King Abdulaziz University

King Abdulaziz University is considered one of the largest and best universities in Saudi Arabia and has the largest number of students. The university has more than 82000 students according to statistics for the year 2021. It is deprived of male and female students. For Saudi students, this university is completely free.

King Abdulaziz University bears the name of the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, King Abdulaziz. This university was established in the year 1387 AH / 1967 as a private university, with the goal of spreading higher education in the western region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through the efforts of the loyal people of this country, the dream became a reality.

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King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

The University of Petroleum and Minerals is one of the Saudi public universities located in the city of Dhahran in the Eastern Province. It was officially opened by royal order issued on Jumada al-Awal 5, 1383 AH, corresponding to September 23, 1963 AD, under the name of the College of Petroleum and Minerals.

After King Fahd's visit to it, the university is considered the leading institution in science and technology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and is the first Arab university in the number of patents.

It is ranked sixth among the world's universities according to the United States Patent Office's classification, and it also entered the list of the top 100 universities in the world.

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King Saud University

King Saud University's focus is primarily on quality education, scientific research and entrepreneurship, in order to prepare its graduates by developing their skills and abilities for lifelong learning and arming them with knowledge to become the nation's leaders in the future. At the same time, King Saud University aspires to disseminate and enhance knowledge in the Kingdom with the aim of expanding the base of scientific and literary studies and then keeping pace with the leading countries in the fields of arts and sciences, and working to contribute to discoveries and inventions, reviving Islamic civilization and restoring its glories.

One of the best universities in Saudi Arabia, it is an independent Saudi government university located in Riyadh. It was opened on the 14th of Rabi’ al-Thani 1377 AH / November 6, 1957, and it is considered the second university established in the Kingdom after Umm al-Qura University. This was when King Abdulaziz ordered the establishment of the College of Sharia in Mecca in the year 1369 AH to become the first established university educational institution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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Umm Al Qura University

Umm Al-Qura University is a Saudi government university. It is one of the best universities in Saudi Arabia and is located in Mecca. It was founded in 1950 under the name of the College of Sharia in Mecca to become the first university educational institution in the country, and it is the nucleus of this university, Umm Al-Qura University, and its mother college.

The establishment of one of the most important Saudi universities in the year 1401 AH, by order of King Khalid bin Abdulaziz, may God have mercy on him, led to the emergence of a number of colleges, as an extension of the departments of the two ancient colleges, including the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies and the College of Education with the Institute of the Arabic Language, where it was established during the first decade of the century Fifteenth: Establishing five colleges: the College of Da’wah and Fundamentals of Religion, the College of Arabic Language, the College of Applied Sciences, the College of Social Sciences, and the College of Engineering and Islamic Architecture, in addition to the College of Education in Taif.

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Princess Noura University

Princess Noura bint Abdul Rahman University is located in the city of Riyadh. It was opened during the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, and is considered the first private Saudi university for girls. Its name was changed from Riyadh University for Girls to become Princess Noura bint Abdul Rahman University for Girls.

​The Deanship of Admission and Registration was established at Princess Noura bint Abdul Rahman University in 1411 AH. It is one of the deanships affiliated with the University Vice Presidency for Educational Affairs. It is considered the lifeblood of the university and one of its most important supporting deanships. It is the main channel of communication between the university and its students from their admission until their graduation, as well as between the faculty member. And female students, it is responsible for many services related to admission, registration and academic guidance in accordance with approved policies, systems and regulations.

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Al-Faisal University

One of the vital Saudi universities stimulating to enrich knowledge of the future and develop competitive human capabilities.

It contributed to realizing the aspirations and hopes of the ambitious sons and daughters of this dear country. Since its inception, the university has received supportive and generous care from our wise government - may God support it - which has provided it with ample opportunities for growth and development.

The founding of King Faisal University in 1395 AH. Its prosperous history has passed for more than four and a half decades, during which it was blessed with the patronage and support of the rulers, and culminated in the honor of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God protect and preserve him - with the inauguration of its university city, a city of science in the Al-Ahsa oasis. 

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Islamic University of Medina

It was established by Royal Order No. 11, dated 25/3/1381 AH, and was followed by Royal Order No. 21, dated 16/4/1381 AH, approving the system of the University’s Supreme Advisory Council, and studies began on Sunday, Jumada al-Akhira 2, in the same year. A leading global Islamic beacon in promoting knowledge and positive influence in service to communities, with a commitment to excellence and inclusivity.

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King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

The university attracts distinguished talents from the Kingdom and all over the world and works to develop them. It also invests in promising and proven minds and helps them discover their intellectual potential through scholarship and research. King Abdullah University applies the highest academic and professional practices in recruitment and promotion procedures.

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King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences

King Saud University is an independent Saudi government university located in Riyadh. It was opened on the 14th of Rabi’ al-Thani 1377 AH / November 6, 1957, and it is considered the second university established in the Kingdom after Umm al-Qura University. This was when King Abdulaziz ordered the establishment of the College of Sharia in Mecca in the year 1369 AH to become the first established university educational institution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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Al-Farabi College in Saudi Arabia

Al-Farabi College in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is considered one of the... Leading universities in the KingdomThis is because Saudi Arabia is considered one of the countries that support higher education, and has many advanced universities in all its governorates, and all of these universities are supportive of Saudi youth, and all the colleges and universities in it aim to graduate social groups.

The most capable of facing the challenges of the present time, Al-Farabi University is one of the advanced universities that supports Saudi youth.

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The previous list was the best to date in the Saudi university guide. You can now find out in which university you can register, and you can also now consider transferring your studies to one of these universities if you have not already done so.

In short, Saudi higher education is at the forefront of the education scene with its diversity between Saudi public and private universities. These universities are distinguished by the quality of educational programs, the competence of the teaching staff, and the provision of comprehensive services that contribute to the students’ experience and success.