NCKU tops Taiwan's 2026 University Brand Power survey

Taipei, Jan. 7 (CNA) National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has been ranked Taiwan's top university by 104 Corp. in the local job bank's 2026 University Brand Power Survey released Wednesday.

NCKU was followed by National Tsing Hua University and National Taiwan University in second and third place, respectively.

All of the top 10 universities in the latest rankings were public institutions.

National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) entered the top 10 for the first time, replacing Fu Jen Catholic University, which ranked ninth last year.

The rest of the top 10 comprised National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Taipei Tech, National Chengchi University, National Central University and NCHU.

Among private universities, Chung Yuan Christian University, Fu Jen Catholic University, Feng Chia University, Tamkang University and Tunghai University ranked highest, placing between 12th and 16th overall.

According to 104, the survey drew on more than 4.18 million job-seeking and employment data records, nearly 1,000 corporate questionnaires and publicly available government information.

Over 120 universities and colleges were evaluated across 12 major indicators and 105 sub-indicators, measuring performance in talent cultivation, employability and social impact.

The company also recognized the three institutions with the biggest year-on-year gains: China Medical University, which climbed 20 places; National Taiwan Ocean University, up eight; and Chang Gung University, up six.

Spring Wang (王榮春), head of 104's career education division, said nine of the top 10 universities were unchanged from last year, showing that brand strength in higher education is built through sustained, long-term effort.

He added that universities tend to excel in different academic fields, such as Shih Hsin University, National Chengchi University and Ming Chuan University in mass communication, and National Taiwan University of Arts, Taipei National University of the Arts and National Taiwan University in the arts.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Education Deputy Minister Chu Chun-chang (朱俊彰) said the government has been promoting higher education development programs, with a focus on helping students apply artificial intelligence effectively rather than becoming dependent on it, while strengthening cooperation with universities to meet industry and national talent needs.