South Korea's first comprehensive national university, Seoul National University, frequently scores the highest among South Korean universities in worldwide university rankings, and entrance is the most competitive in the country. It attracts many non-Korean faculty. SNU graduates are very prominent---some would say too prominent---in South Korean politics and business.
Established by the South Korean government in 1971, KAIST maintains a reputation as one of the nation's most prestigious science and engineering schools. It is located in Daedeok Science Town, which contains many research institutes and corporate research centers, making it an attractive location for scientifically inclined students.
Located in Seoul, this highly selective private university was the first in South Korea to offer programs in law, journalism and economics; it is particularly renowned for its law program today. Its alumni are regarded as a very strong interest group in the country.
Yonsei University, a private institution located in Seoul with a satellite campus in Wonju, traces its ancestry to a missionary school. It is as well as the first hospital to practice western medicine in Korea, founded in 1885. It ranks particularly highly in the humanities, and continues to adhere to Christian principles, though technically students of any religion can attend. It has a fierce sporting and academic rivalry with Korea University.
Located in Seoul, Hanyang is one of South Korea's most prestigious private universities; it is particularly renowned for its engineering and journalism programs but offers a full range of majors.
Focusing on science and engineering, POSTECH frequently scores very highly in domestic and regional rankings and is comparable with KAIST as an institution.
Divided into two campuses, a humanities and social sciences campus in Seoul and a natural sciences campus in Suwon, this private university traces its origins to the foundation of the Confucian Seonggyungwan school in 1398 and is still one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the country.
Another private university in Seoul with a satellite campus in Suwon, Kyung Hee University has a particularly strong reputation in oriental medicine, economics, international business and the arts and music.
A leading national (public) university, Kyungpook is located in Daegu. Formed in 1946 from the medical, agricultural and teachers' colleges, it maintains a strong reputation in these and other vocational areas.
Pusan National University, like the other major national universities, offers a very comprehensive range of majors, and is one of the most prestigious in the country.