nanyang technological university vs national university of singapore

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Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a public research university in Singapore. Admissions are moderately selective, with NTU’s acceptance rate around 30-40%. It is a large institution with about 35,000 students (undergraduate + graduate). Some of the most popular programs at NTU include Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Data Science, and Humanities & Social Sciences. The six-year graduation rate isn’t clearly documented, but employment outcomes for graduates are strong, and many alumni report solid earnings, often among the highest in Southeast Asia.

National University of Singapore (NUS) is a public research university in Singapore. Admissions are very highly selective, with NUS’s acceptance rate around 5-10%. It is a large institution with about 31,500 undergraduates. Some of the most popular programs at NUS include Engineering, Computing, Business, Medicine, and Arts & Social Sciences. The six-year graduation rate is also not clearly published, but NUS graduates tend to have excellent outcomes in terms of employability and earnings, with many alumni reporting high median salaries in Singapore and internationally a decade after graduation.

Overview Comparison
Nanyang Technological UniversityNational University of Singapore Business School
ranking (overall)# 12 QS World University 2026
# 31 Times Higher Education 2026
# 15 QS World University 2025
# 14 Financial Times 2021
# 15 Financial Times 2020
# 17 Financial Times 2019
ProgramsUG Programs -47
PG Programs -37
Doctorate Programs -1
UG Programs -2
PG Programs -9
Doctorate Programs -1
Acceptance Rate47.0 %7.0 %
Exam ScoreGRE-318
IELTS-6
PTE-55
SAT-1250
TOEFL-90
IELTS-7
TOEFL-100
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   13869
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  13843.1
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 10440 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   20650
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  109153
[For PG Program]

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 201 for Public Policy by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2022
# 23 for Business by QS World University 2026
# 12 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
exam scoresIELTS - 6/9PTE - 55/90TOEFL - 90/120GMAT - 670/800IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -21019Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -109153
Return on Investment/Average Package#Average Salary#Average Salary82095
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesJan 31, 2025 (Application Deadline For August 2025 Intake)
Aug 31, 2025 (Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake)
Jan 15, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Mar 31, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Oct 30, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsNanyang Technological UniversityNational University of Singapore Business School
Type of UniversityUniversity
School
Established1981
1965
Student:Faculty Ratio17:1
:1
Male:Female0% Male, 0% Female0% Male, 0% Female
Weather
Comparison Notes

Nanyang Technological University vs National University of Singapore

Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)

Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, is famous for Engineering, Computer Science, Materials Science, and Business. It is ranked #15 in QS World University Rankings 2026 and #30 in THE World University Rankings 2025.

The National University of Singapore (NUS), the oldest and largest university in Singapore, leads in Medicine, Law, Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and Social Sciences. It performs better internationally, ranking #8 in QS 2026 and =19 in THE 2025, and is the leading university in Asia. 

General Information

NTU, established in 1991, has approximately 34,000 students and is famous for its modern campus, intensive engineering orientation, and cross-disciplinary research.

NUS, founded in 1905, boasts more than 40,000 students and is Singapore's premier institution, with full programs across medicine, law, business, sciences, and technology, and an excellent worldwide reputation for research and policy influence.

Acceptance Rate & Admission

NTU has a very selective acceptance rate of approximately 25–30%, accepting students with exceptional grades (90%+ for Indian board exams) and IELTS 6.5–7.0.

NUS is more competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 15–20%, demanding the same academic performance (95%+ for Indian boards) and IELTS 6.5–7.0. Both universities are very competitive, though NUS is slightly more difficult to get into overall.

Research Impact & Facilities

NTU is a global leader in nanotechnology, AI, robotics, sustainability, and biomedical engineering, with state-of-the-art laboratories and close industry links.

NUS is an international research powerhouse in medicine, law, engineering, public health, and data science with profound collaborations in Asia, the U.S., and Europe. NUS's wider research profile and greater global funding levels put it ahead, although NTU is still top-class in engineering and applied sciences.

Cost & Financial Aid

NTU fees for international undergraduate students are SGD 17,000–21,000 per annum after subsidy.

NUS fees are also comparable, SGD 17,500–22,000 per annum for overseas students after subsidies. Both institutions offer scholarships like ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship and NUS/NTU Merit Scholarships, with living expenses in Singapore averaging SGD 12,000 per year.

Graduate Studies & Alumni Outcomes

NTU alumni are much in demand in the fields of engineering, technology, research, and business, with mid-career pay averaging about SGD 100,000 (INR 62 lakh).

NUS graduates hold leadership positions in law, business, medicine, public policy, and technology with modestly higher mid-career pay of around SGD 110,000 (INR 68 lakh). NTU graduates have a robust tech and engineering community of alumni, while NUS graduates receive wider global recognition across a variety of industries.