South Korea Higher Education Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Course Type (Arts, Economics, Engineering, Law, Science, and Others), By Learning Type (Online and Offline), and South Korea Higher Education Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

South Korea Higher Education Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The South Korea Higher Education Market Size was Estimated at USD 518.84 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 18.02% from 2025 to 2035
• The South Korea Higher Education Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 3,211.65 Million by 2035

According to a Research Report Published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, The South Korea Higher Education Market Size is anticipated to Reach USD 3,211.65 Million by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 18.02% from 2025 to 2035. The growing need for adaptable, affordable online and hybrid programs, which is being driven by digital adoption and government-supported infrastructure investments, is driving the market. The strategic drive for internationalization, which includes initiatives like Study Korea 300K and expanded English-taught programs that draw an increasing number of international students, is another factor driving it. Cross-border academic partnerships and technological developments will keep raising competitiveness and growing South Korea's market share in higher education.

Market Overview

The South Korea Higher Education Market Size refers to the ecosystem of colleges, universities, and EdTech companies that provide post-secondary education and learning solutions nationwide is referred to as the South Korean higher education market. Additionally, the government is also facilitating this change by enacting laws that support the infrastructure of digital education. Working professionals looking for upskilling opportunities without interfering with their careers are another factor driving demand. With platforms like Coursera and edX collaborating with Korean universities, online MBA and certification programs are becoming more and more popular. Virtual reality (VR) and AI-powered learning tools are anticipated to further improve online education as technology develops, further driving the growth of the higher education market in South Korea.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the South Korea higher education market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyses trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the South Korea higher education market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the South Korea higher education market.

Driving Factors

The competitiveness of its high-tech industries and the sustainability of its population depend on South Korea's higher education system serving as a hub for international talent. Prominent institutions like KAIST and Yonsei University have set up international campuses and research partnerships with world-class universities. In order to prepare students for careers in a globalized world, multicultural education is also becoming more and more important. To improve the experience of international students, universities are implementing language support services and intercultural training. This pattern boosts enrollment and strengthens South Korea's standing as an Asian center for education. Korean universities will keep coming up with new ways to recruit students and academic programs as the competition for international students heats up in order to stay competitive.

Restraining Factors

Students may experience mental health issues and burnout as a result of the intensely competitive educational system, which may lead some to look for alternate educational opportunities or study overseas.

Market Segmentation

The South Korea higher education market share is classified into course type and learning type.

• The engineering segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The South Korea higher education market is segmented by course type into arts, economics, engineering, law, science, and others. Among these, the engineering segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The nation's highly competitive manufacturing and electronics industries, its strong emphasis on science and technology, and the strategic emphasis on engineering disciplines by prestigious universities like KAIST and POSTECH are the main drivers of this dominance.

• The Offline segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The South Korea higher education market is segmented by learning type into online and offline. Among these, the Offline segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The nation's robust academic infrastructure, emphasis on classroom instruction, and the prestige of physically attending prestigious universities all contribute to the continued dominance of traditional in-person education.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the South Korea higher education market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Seoul National University
• Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Yonsei University
• POSTECH
• Hanyang University
• Others

Recent Developments:

• In June 2025, the leading learning ecosystem and creator of Canvas, one of the most used learning management systems worldwide, announced its entry into the South Korean market. This expansion marked a significant milestone in the company’s mission to empower educators and learners worldwide with a secure, scalable, and modern learning management system.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at South Korea, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the South Korea Higher Education Market based on the below-mentioned segments:

South Korea Higher Education Market, By Course Type

• Arts 
• Economics 
• Engineering 
• Law 
• Science 
• Others 

South Korea Higher Education Market, By Learning Type

• Online
• Offline