Saudi Arabia is the land of many renowned universities that offer a wide range of academic programs to students from all over the world. These universities are known for their high-quality education, excellent faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities. The country’s higher education system is constantly evolving and it is the home of 29 world-class education institutions, including King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Kinf Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), and King Abdulaziz University are few of them. In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 best universities in Saudi Arabia, as ranked by several world rankings for 2025, and explore what makes them stand out from the rest.
Reading this article will give you a comprehensive understanding of the top universities in Saudi Arabia and their specializations. Additionally, you will get an overview of the facilities and opportunities offered by these universities, which will help you make an informed decision about your higher education. Don’t miss out on this valuable information; read the complete article to find the right fit for you.
Here is the list of the top 10 best universities in Saudi Arabia:
Table of Contents
1. King Abdullah University of Science & Technology
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a research university located in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. Founded in 2009, it is a relatively new institution, but it has quickly established itself as one of the leading universities in the region. It is a graduate-level, research-focused university, and it is the first institution in Saudi Arabia to offer a co-educational experience for both undergraduate and graduate students.
KAUST offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a wide range of fields including Engineering, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Computer Science. The university has a strong emphasis on research, with a number of research centers and institutes dedicated to specific fields of study.
The university is known for its state-of-the-art facilities, including a campus-wide high-performance computing network, a centralized research data management system, and a number of research centers such as the Environmental and Water Resources Center, and the Energy and Environmental Systems Center.
Address: Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
Phone: +966 12 808 0900
Site: https://www.kaust.edu.sa/
2. King Abdulaziz University
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) is one of the top universities in Saudi Arabia, founded in 1967 in Jeddah. It is named after King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of the modern Saudi state. The university is a public research university and is considered one of the leading universities in the Middle East.
KAU offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, science, humanities, and business. The university has 15 colleges, including the College of Medicine, the College of Engineering, the College of Science, and the College of Business Administration.
The university is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and research centers, including the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), which is considered one of the most advanced research centers in the region. KAU also has a strong emphasis on international collaborations and partnerships with universities and research institutions around the world.
Phone: 800-11-6952
Site: https://www.kau.edu.sa/home_english.aspx
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3. King Saud University
King Saud University (KSU) is a public research university located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Founded in 1957, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country and the first university in Saudi Arabia.
KSU offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, science, humanities, and business. The university has 14 colleges, including the College of Medicine, the College of Engineering, the College of Science, and the College of Business Administration.
The university is known for its research capabilities, with a number of research centers and institutes dedicated to specific fields of study. King Saud University also boasts a strong emphasis on international collaborations and partnerships with universities and research institutions around the world.
Phone: +9661-46-70-000
Site: https://ksu.edu.sa/en/
4. King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is a research university located in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 1963 with a focus on providing education and research in the fields of science, engineering, and technology, particularly in the areas of petroleum and minerals.
KFUPM offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, science, computer science, and business. The university has several colleges, including the College of Petroleum Engineering and Geosciences, the College of Computer Science and Engineering, and the College of Industrial Management.
The university is known for its strong emphasis on research and innovation, with a number of research centers and institutes dedicated to specific fields of study. It also has an extensive network of international collaborations and partnerships with universities and research institutions around the world.
Address: Academic Belt Road, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Phone: +966 13 860 0000
Site: http://www.kfupm.edu.sa
5. King Khalid University
King Khalid University (KKU) is a public research university located in Abha, Saudi Arabia. It was founded in the year 1984. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, science, humanities, and business. It has several colleges, including the College of Medicine, the College of Engineering, the College of Science, and the College of Business Administration.
KKU is known for its research capabilities, with a number of research centers and institutes dedicated to specific fields of study such as the Center for Excellence in Environmental Studies, the Center for Excellence in Water Research, and the Center for Excellence in Nanotechnology.
The university also has a strong emphasis on international collaborations and partnerships with universities and research institutions around the world.
Address: 6HX6+33Q, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
Phone: +966 17 241 8000
Site: https://www.kku.edu.sa/en
6. Taibah University
Taibah University is a public research university located in the city of Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 2002 and has since grown to become one of the leading universities in the country.
Taibah University offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, science, humanities, and business. The university has several colleges, including the College of Medicine, the College of Engineering, the College of Science, and the College of Business Administration.
The university is known for its strong focus on research and innovation, with a number of research centers and institutes dedicated to specific fields of study. It also has an emphasis on international collaborations and partnerships with universities and research institutions around the world.
Address: FGPR+CVM، Janadah Bin Umayyah Road, Tayba, Medina 42353, Saudi Arabia
Phone: +966 14 861 8888
Site: https://www.taibahu.edu.sa/
7. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (IAU) is a public research university located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 1975 and is named after Prince Abdulrahman bin Faisal Al Saud, who was a prominent figure in the history of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.
IAU offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, science, humanities, and business. The university has several colleges, including the College of Medicine, the College of Engineering, the College of Science, and the College of Business Administration.
The university is known for its research capabilities, with a number of research centers and institutes dedicated to specific fields of study. It also has an emphasis on international collaborations and partnerships with universities and research institutions around the world.
Address: King Faisal Ibn Abd Al Aziz, King Faysal University, Dammam 34212, Saudi
Phone: +966 13 333 3766
Site: https://www.iau.edu.sa/
8. King Faisal University
King Faisal University (KFU) is a public research university located in the city of Al-Hasa, Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 1975 and has since grown to become one of the leading universities in the country.
KFU offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, science, humanities, and business. The university has several colleges, including the College of Medicine, the College of Engineering, the College of Science, and the College of Business Administration.
The university is known for its strong focus on research and innovation, with a number of research centers and institutes dedicated to specific fields of study. It also has an emphasis on international collaborations and partnerships with universities and research institutions around the world.
Address: 7057 – King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
Phone: +920002366
Site: https://www.kfu.edu.sa/
9. King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences
King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS) is a public research university located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 2005 and focuses specifically on health sciences and medical education.
KSAU-HS offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in a wide range of health-related disciplines, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and health informatics. The university has several colleges, including the College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy, and the College of Applied Medical Sciences.
The university is known for its strong focus on research and innovation in the field of health sciences, with a number of research centers and institutes dedicated to specific fields of study. It also has an emphasis on international collaborations and partnerships with universities and research institutions around the world.
Address: Prince Mutib Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz Rd, Ar Rimayah, Riyadh 14611, Saudi Arabia
Phone: +966 11 429 9999
Site: https://www.ksau-hs.edu.sa/
10. Umm Al-Qura University
Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) is a public research university located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It was founded in 1949 and is considered one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country.
UQU offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, science, humanities, and business. The university has several colleges, including the College of Medicine, the College of Engineering, the College of Science, and the College of Business Administration.
The university is known for its strong focus on research and innovation, with a number of research centers and institutes dedicated to specific fields of study. It also has an emphasis on Islamic studies, and it has several institutes dedicated to the study of Islamic law, Quranic studies, and Islamic civilization.
Address: 8XH2+XVP, Mecca 24382, Saudi Arabia
Site: https://uqu.edu.sa/en
Conclusion
To sum up briefly, this list incorporates the top 10 best universities in Saudi Arabia, known for quality education, international research, highly qualified faculty, and state-of-the-art infrastructure. However, this list is not limited to only these universities in the country. There are other universities as well that come very close to making this list. It includes,
- Islamic University of Madinah, Al-Madinah
- Imam Muhammad Bin Saud Islamic University, Riyadh
- Taif University, Al-Taif
- Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University, Riyadh
- Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj
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