Regional Universities Facing Extinction Risk... Early Admission Competition Ratio 2.7 to 1, Effectively Undersubscribed

Decreasing Trend Every Year
Decline in Universities Located in Seoul
Concerns Over Concentration of Universities in the Capital Area

On December 4 last year, the day after the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test, a parent is encouraging their child, a test taker, in front of the essay exam venue at a university in Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The regular admission competition rate for universities located in regional areas was found to be less than an average of 3 to 1.

According to Jongno Academy Haneul Education on the 16th, the competition rate for universities located in regional areas was 2.7 to 1.

In regular admissions, examinees can submit applications three times, once each to groups A, B, and C. Considering that students who are accepted by multiple universities may choose to attend another university, an average competition rate below 3 to 1 in regular admissions is generally regarded as under-enrollment. The competition rates for regional universities have been decreasing every year.

Competition rates for universities located in Seoul also declined simultaneously. The average competition rate for the regular general admission of eight universities located in Seoul?Korea University, Sogang University, Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, Chung-Ang University, and Hanyang University?was 4.73 to 1. This is a slight decrease compared to 5.25 to 1 in the same period last year.

Except for Seoul National University, the competition rates for the other seven universities all declined. Excluding Seoul National University, the competition rate decreased from 5.47 to 1 last year to 4.83 to 1.

In the admissions industry, there is also a forecast that the overall decline in competition rates will further accelerate the concentration of universities in Seoul and the metropolitan area in the future.