Adelaide University
Adelaide University is South Australia's oldest and most prestigious university and the favoured study destination for the state's students.
Flinders University
Flinders University is ranked easily within the world's top 500 universities. Compared to Austalian unis, it has about an average rating.
University of South Australia
UniSA will be a top 500 university in the world but just in the bottom half in Australia when it merges to form Adelaide University.
Australian Catholic University
Australian Catholic University (ACU) is one of the 1000 best universities in the world and top 30 in Australia based on research reputation.
CQUniversity
CQUniversity is ranked in the world's top 1000 unis. It performs best in QS while ranking lower in Times Higher Education and Webometrics.
Torrens University
Torrens University Australia is ranked outside the top 1000 universities in the world, which is unsurprising for a young uni in this country.
FAQs
How many universities are in Adelaide?
Adelaide currently hosts three main universities: the University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia (UniSA), and Flinders University. In 2026, the University of Adelaide and UniSA will merge to form Adelaide University, reducing the number of separate universities in the city to two.
What are the top 3 universities in Adelaide?
The top 3 universities in Adelaide are:
- University of Adelaide – Ranked 8th in Australia and 125th globally.
- Flinders University – Ranked 21st in Australia and 364th globally.
- University of South Australia (UniSA) – Ranked 22nd in Australia and 372nd globally.
Related: Best Universities in Australia
What is the largest university in Adelaide?
The University of South Australia (UniSA) is currently the largest university in Adelaide, with 34,580 students, including 18,207 on campus. After its merger with the University of Adelaide in 2026, the new Adelaide University will have 64,754 students in total, with approximately 46,050 on campus.