Delhi tops list of world’s most affordable cities for international students: Report

Delhi has been ranked the world’s most affordable city for international students, according to a joint report by Knight Frank, Deloitte India and QS. The report, titled ‘India’s 155 Million Student Mandate’, released on Wednesday, said Delhi ranked first globally on affordability among student cities, emerging as the most cost-effective destination for overseas students. Mumbai ranked 11th, while Bengaluru placed 15th on the list.The findings draw on the QS Best Student Cities 2026 rankings, which assess the attractiveness of urban destinations for international students across the world.A total of 150 cities were evaluated across six equally weighted parameters — affordability, employer activity, university rankings, city desirability, student voice, and student mix.According to the report, affordability remains India’s strongest competitive advantage. “Affordability remains one of the most decisive factors for international students and parents, and this is where Indian cities outperform almost every major global education hub,” the consultants said.The study noted that tuition fees, living costs and purchasing power in Indian cities compare favourably with leading education destinations in the UK, the US, Europe and Australia.“For students, and thereby parents, this translates into lower total cost of education without sacrificing quality, reduced dependence on long-term student debt and strong return on investment due to employability outcomes,” the report said.The consultants also observed that global universities are increasingly viewing India not just as a source of students but as a destination for long-term academic presence.“India is home to the world’s largest 18–23 age cohort, with nearly 155 million young adults, and is transitioning from a traditional outbound student market to a core geography for offshore university campuses,” Knight Frank India said in a statement.The report added that India is poised to become one of the most strategically important destinations globally for higher education expansion, driven by policy reforms, demographic scale and urban readiness.Shishir Baijal, International Partner, chairman and managing director of Knight Frank India, said, “India’s higher education opportunity must be understood through the lens of cities and real estate. Policy enables entry, but it is spatial strategy that determines success.”Global universities that adopt a city-led, phased real estate strategy would be best placed to build a lasting academic presence in India, he added.(With inputs from PTI)