Overview
- QS Best Student Cities 2026 evaluated 150 locations across six equally weighted indicators: affordability, employer activity, university rankings, city desirability, student voice and student mix.
- Delhi led the global affordability list, with Mumbai ranked 11th and Bengaluru 15th among major cities.
- The report says lower tuition, living costs and favorable purchasing power in India cut reliance on long-term student debt and boost returns via stronger employability outcomes.
- Employer activity has improved in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, signaling rising demand for skilled graduates in fast-growing service and technology sectors.
- Authors describe a shift from India as an outbound market to a destination for offshore campuses and recommend city-led, phased real-estate strategies for lasting university entry.