[AWARD] QS Best Student Cities 2026 Ranking: Lyon ranks second in France

On The July 21, 2025

Lyon ranks 54th among the world’s best student cities and second in France in the ranking compiled by Quacquarelli Symonds.

The “QS Best Student Cities” ranking lists the 150 top student cities from all over the world. To qualify for this ranking, each city must have a population of at least 250,000 and at least two universities that are listed in the QS World University Rankings. The evaluation criteria are based on:

  • University rankings in the QS World University Rankings
  • Student Mix
  • Desirability
  • Employer Activity
  • Affordability (tuition and cost of living)
  • Student View


 Lyon, ranked second in France

Lyon came second in France in the 2026 edition of this ranking, coming in 54th overall behind Paris (7th place). It ranks 59th worldwide for student diversity and 53rd for cost of living. 5 Université de Lyon institutions were listed in the latest QS World University Rankings:

  • École normale supérieure (ENS) de Lyon – 205th position
  • Institut national des sciences appliquées (INSA) de Lyon – 406th position
  • Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 – 587th position
  • Université Lumière Lyon 2 – 1001-1200th position
  • Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 – 1201-1400th position

Learn more about Lyon’s ranking in the QS Best Student City 2026


This is a fantastic recognition of the quality of life and education offered by the Lyon metropolitan area and the university site as a whole!

View the 2026 ranking in full