"Higher education institutions" is a collective term for universities, specialized colleges, higher vocational and technical colleges, and higher specialized institutions, abbreviated as "tertiary institutions." In terms of institutional nature, Chinese higher education institutions are primarily categorized into Regular Higher Education Institutions and Universities for Adults, with the main distinction lying in the differences in target demographic and instructional formats. As of June 17, 2026, there are a total of 3,196 higher education institutions nationwide, including: 2,952 regular higher education institutions—comprising 1,412 undergraduate institutions and 1,540 higher vocational (specialist) institutions—and 244 universities for adults. This list does not include institutions from the Taiwan region, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR of China.
The development of higher education institutions often complements regional growth. On one hand, regions provide institutional resources including fiscal funding and land allocation. On the other, these institutions continuously supply specialized talent, technological achievements, services, and cultural enrichment through talent cultivation and scientific research, thereby supporting regional development. Regional economic and social development, educational equity, and other related issues hinge critically on the rational regional distribution of higher education institutions.
The competent authorities governing higher education institutions influence the developmental trajectory of institutional quality. Central ministries-affiliated institutions jointly administered by State Council departments and their subordinate agencies, as well as institutions co-invested by provincial and ministerial bodies, typically receive more resources. These institutions tend to pioneer educational reforms and play exemplary roles in enhancing teaching, research, and social service capacities.
The CnOpenData List of Higher Education Institutions in China consolidates the published list from the Ministry of Education, organized into two sub-lists: regular tertiary institutions and universities for adults. The dataset includes fields such as Institution Name (学校名称), Institution Identification Code (学校标识码), Competent Authority(s) (主管部门), Location (所在地), Operational Level (办学层次), and Remarks (e.g., privately-run) (备注), excluding institutions in the Taiwan region, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR of China.
Time Scope
As of June 17, 2026
Field Overview
Sample Data
List of National Regular Higher Education Institutions
List of National Universities for Adults
Literature
- Fan Jian-Yong, Zhang Feng and Tang Wei*, 2024, "University Disciplinary Quality and Regional Technological Innovation," World Economy, 4.
- Ge Jing-Feng, Zhang Nan and Yuan Zhi-Gang*, 2024, "Heterogeneous Policy Effects of University Technology Transfer Reform in China," Economic Research Journal, 2.
Data Update Frequency
Annual Updates