"Higher Education Institutions" (高等学校, Gāoděng Xuéxiào) collectively refer to universities, specialized colleges, higher vocational and technical colleges, and higher specialized colleges, abbreviated as HEIs. By institutional nature, China's HEIs are primarily categorized into Regular Higher Education Institutions (普通高等学校) and Adult Higher Education Institutions (成人高等学校), distinguished mainly by their target student demographics and modes of instruction. As of June 20, 2025, China hosts 3,167 HEIs, comprising 2,919 regular HEIs (including 1,365 undergraduate institutions and 1,554 higher vocational colleges/specialized colleges) and 248 adult HEIs.
HEIs and regional development are often mutually reinforcing. On one hand, regions provide institutional resources such as fiscal funding and land for HEIs. On the other, HEIs contribute to regional development through talent cultivation, scientific research, technological outputs, service provision, and cultural enrichment. Topics like regional socio-economic progress and educational equity are intrinsically linked to the rational distribution of higher education resources.
The competent authority (主管部门) of an HEI significantly influences its development trajectory. Institutions directly administered by central ministries (中央部属高校) or jointly established by central and provincial governments (省部共建高校) typically receive greater resources. These institutions often pioneer reforms and play demonstrative roles in enhancing teaching, research, and social services.
The CnOpenData China HEI Directory database compiles official lists published by the Ministry of Education, organized into two sub-tables: Regular HEIs and Adult HEIs. Key fields include Institution Name (学校名称), Institution ID Code (学校标识码), Competent Authority (主管部门), Location (所在地), Level of Education Provided (办学层次), and Remarks (备注, e.g., private status). This dataset excludes HEIs in Taiwan Province, Hong Kong SAR, and Macao SAR.
Time Coverage
As of June 20, 2025
Field Description
Sample Data
National Regular HEIs Directory Table
National Adult HEIs Directory Table
Relevant Literature
- Fan Jianyong, Zhang Feng, Tang Wei, 2024: "Disciplinary Quality of HEIs and Regional Sci-Tech Innovation," The Journal of World Economy No. 4.
- Ge Jinfeng, Zhang Nan, Yuan Zhigang, 2024: "Heterogeneous Policy Effects of Sci-Tech Transformation Reforms in Chinese Universities," Economic Research Journal No. 2.
Update Frequency
Annual updates