List of Swiss universities by enrollment

This is a list of Swiss universities and other higher education institutions according to the size of their student population recognized by the Federal Higher Education Act, HEdA.

Universities and higher education institutions in Switzerland by size

The following list ranks Swiss higher education institutions by their student population. Higher education in Switzerland is divided into three main sectors: traditional universities (Universitäre Hochschulen), universities of applied sciences and arts (Fachhochschulen), and universities of teacher education (Pädagogische Hochschulen).

Methodology and Scope Student numbers refer to the most recent official data available for each institution (2024-2025) and include students enrolled in degree programmes (Bachelor, Master, and PhD), excluding continuing education (CAS, DAS, MAS), in line with Swiss Federal Statistical Office (BFS) methodology. For large networks such as HES-SO and SUPSI, the data reflects consolidated degree-seeking students. Data may refer to different academic years depending on institutional reporting practices.

Rank Institution Type Total students Year Remarks University of Zurich University 28,664 2025 Official institutional data ETH Zurich University 26,198 2025 Official institutional data HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts 21,195 2025 Official institutional data University of Bern University 19,741 2025 Official institutional data University of Geneva University 18,241 2025 Official institutional data University of Lausanne University 17,197 2025 Official institutional data Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) University of Applied Sciences and Arts 14,619 2025 Official institutional data University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) University of Applied Sciences and Arts 14,527 2025 Official institutional data EPFL University 14,072 2025 Official institutional data University of Basel University 13,325 2024 Official institutional data University of Fribourg University 9,872 2024 Official institutional data University of St. Gallen University 9,987 2024/25 Official institutional data Lucerne University of Applied Sciences University of Applied Sciences and Arts 8,451 2024 Degree students only Bern University of Applied Sciences University of Applied Sciences and Arts 7,891 2024 Degree students only SUPSI University of Applied Sciences and Arts 6,121 2024/25 Excluding FFHS and DFA University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland (OST) University of Applied Sciences and Arts 5,150 2024 Official institutional data Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) University 4,749 2025 Official institutional data Zurich University of Teacher Education University of Teacher Education 4,611 2024 Degree students only University of Neuchâtel University 4,442 2024 Official institutional data École hôtelière de Lausanne University of Applied Sciences and Arts 4,031 2024 Official institutional data University of Teacher Education, State of Vaud University of Teacher Education 3,854 2024 Degree students only Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences University of Applied Sciences and Arts 3,522 2024 Official institutional data University of Lucerne University 3,446 2024/25 Official institutional data HWZ University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration University of Applied Sciences and Arts 3,391 2024 Official institutional data Pädagogische Hochschule Bern University of Teacher Education 3,149 2024 Degree students only Swiss Distance University of Applied Sciences University of Applied Sciences and Arts 2,982 2024 Official institutional data UniDistance Suisse University institution 2,448 2024/25 Official institutional data University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons University of Applied Sciences and Arts 2,380 2024 Official institutional data University of Teacher Education Lucerne University of Teacher Education 2,156 2024 Official institutional data Zurich University of the Arts University of Applied Sciences and Arts 2,125 2024 Official institutional data Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education University of Teacher Education 1,914 2024 Official institutional data St. Gallen University of Teacher Education University of Teacher Education 1,452 2024 Official institutional data Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies University institution 1,141 2024 Postgraduate degree students University of Teacher Education BEJUNE University of Teacher Education 912 2024 Official institutional data Thurgau University of Teacher Education University of Teacher Education 842 2024 Official institutional data University of Fribourg Institute of Teacher Education University of Teacher Education 718 2024 Degree students only University of Teacher Education Valais University of Teacher Education 641 2024 Official institutional data University of Geneva Institute of Teacher Education University of Teacher Education 584 2024 Degree students only University of Teacher Education Fribourg University of Teacher Education 562 2024 Official institutional data Department of Education and Learning SUPSI University of Teacher Education 498 2024/25 Degree students only University of Teacher Education of Grisons University of Teacher Education 422 2024 Official institutional data Schwyz University of Teacher Education University of Teacher Education 414 2024 Official institutional data Franklin University Switzerland University institution 405 2025 Degree students only University of Teacher Education Zug University of Teacher Education 392 2024 Official institutional data Teacher Training University Schaffhausen University of Teacher Education 238 2024 Official institutional data Pädagogisches Hochschulinstitut NMS Bern University of Teacher Education 218 2024 Official institutional data Theological Faculty of Lugano University institution 182 2024/25 Official institutional data Theological Faculty of Chur University institution 62 2024 Official institutional data

Notes and references

List of Swiss universities by enrollment

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