Ten Largest Universities in the World by Size -Ranking of World Universities by Size
Top 10 Largest University in the World by Area – Introduction
While the size of a university’s campus may not directly correlate with its teaching quality, a larger campus generally provides greater convenience for students. Some large universities even have their own experimental forest stations, featuring diverse natural landscapes such as plains, mountains, forests, and lakes, offering students an enhanced learning environment. This article compiles a list of the world’s top ten largest universities by area, including Hokkaido University, National Taiwan University, Northeast Forestry University, The University of Tokyo, Berry College, State University of New York, University of Michigan, Purdue University, Kyushu University, and more. Let’s explore the details below!
Top 10 Largest University in the World by Area
- Hokkaido University – Area: 660.11 km² (254.87 sq mi)
- National Taiwan University – Area: 340 km² (131.27 sq mi)
- Northeast Forestry University – Area: 330 km² (127.41 sq mi)
- The University of Tokyo – Area: 326.71 km² (126.14 sq mi)
- Berry College – Area: 109.27 km² (42.19 sq mi)
- State University of New York (SUNY) – Area: 101.17 km² (39.06 sq mi)
- University of Michigan – Area: 84.98 km² (32.81 sq mi)
- Purdue University – Area: 75.68 km² (29.22 sq mi)
- Kyushu University – Area: 75.63 km² (29.20 sq mi)
- United States Air Force Academy – Area: 74.87 km² (28.91 sq mi)
Top 10 Largest University in the World by Area – An Overview
Hokkaido University
Area: 660.11 km²
Established in 1876 as Sapporo Agricultural College, Hokkaido University is Japan’s earliest higher education institution. Its vast campus spans approximately 660.11 km², covering most of Sapporo City, making it the world’s largest university by area. This is primarily due to its three major experimental forests: “Teshio Experimental Forest,” “Nakagawa Experimental Forest,” and “Uryu Experimental Forest,” which collectively cover about 617 km². The university has two campuses in Sapporo and Hakodate. The main campus in central Sapporo covers approximately 1.77 km², featuring forests, lakes, farms, and mountains with beautiful scenery. The Hakodate campus includes the Faculty of Fisheries and research institutes.
Address: Japan
National Taiwan University
Area: 340 km²
Founded in 1928, National Taiwan University (NTU) is a public comprehensive research university in Taiwan, known as “Taiwan’s Premier University.” With a total land area of 34,000 hectares (340 km²), NTU is the largest university in China and one of the largest in the world, equivalent to 86 times the size of Tsinghua University. The campus includes an experimental forest in Xinyi, Shuilí, and Lugu Townships (33,000 hectares) and the Wushe Mountain Farm in Ren’ai Township (1,000 hectares). The actual urban teaching area is relatively small compared to the total area.
Address: No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan
Northeast Forestry University
Area: 330 km²
This university specializes in forestry science and engineering, with a main campus of 136 hectares. It possesses teaching and research bases including Maoershan Experimental Forest (Maoershan Forest Park) and Liangshui Experimental Forest (Liangshui National Nature Reserve), totaling 33,000 hectares (330 km²). The Maoershan teaching area covers 26,496 hectares with convenient transportation access. It features modern facilities including a sand table room and animal specimen room, accommodating over 1,000 people daily for teaching and research activities.
Address: 26 Hexing Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
The University of Tokyo
Area: 326.71 km²
Founded in 1877 as Japan’s first national comprehensive university, it belongs to the Top Type universities of Japan’s Super Global University Project. The main campus is in Hongō, Bunkyō, Tokyo, covering 40 hectares, where most facilities are located. Another campus in Komaba, Meguro hosts the College of Arts and Sciences. Besides the main campus, the university has numerous affiliated schools, research departments, and experimental stations (including farms, forests, and observatories) distributed throughout Japan.
Address: 7-3-1 Hongō, Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan
Berry College
Area: 109.27 km²
Located in Georgia, USA, and founded in 1902, this private institution offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees. High-achieving students can access flexible programs including early graduation, honors courses, double degrees, and independent research. The 27,000-acre (109.27 km²) campus features diverse landscapes including plains, mountains, forests, and lakes. It is situated 65 miles from both Atlanta and Chattanooga, offering various special programs including joint education, internships, and overseas study opportunities.
Address: Georgia, USA
State University of New York (SUNY)
Area: 101.17 km²
The SUNY system comprises 64 member institutions in New York State, making it one of the largest comprehensive university systems in the world. With a total area exceeding 25,000 acres (101.17 km²), it ranks as the second-largest university by area in the United States. Students across the system have access to 60 networked libraries containing millions of books, e-books, and digital resources. Each campus maintains its unique characteristics while sharing system-wide resources.
Address: New York, USA
University of Michigan
Area: 84.98 km²
Founded in 1817 in Ann Arbor, this public research university is renowned as a “Public Ivy.” Its three campuses (Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint) total approximately 21,000 acres (84.98 km²). Additional facilities include medical schools, hospital systems, and field research stations throughout Michigan. The university is known for its high-quality living environment and excellent academic resources.
Address: 500 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
Purdue University
Area: 75.68 km²
Established in 1869 in West Lafayette, Purdue is particularly renowned for its engineering programs, ranking fourth in the 2023 U.S. News engineering rankings. The university’s 18,700-acre (75.68 km²) campus was the first in the U.S. to have its own airport. Notable alumni include astronauts Neil Armstrong and Eugene Cernan, as well as Chinese scientists Deng Jiaxian (key figure in China’s nuclear weapons program) and Liang Sili (rocket expert). The university has contributed to major engineering projects including the Hoover Dam.
Address: 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
Kyushu University
Area: 75.63 km²
Founded in 1911 in Fukuoka, this Japanese national research university has six campuses totaling 75.63 km². The Ito Campus, covering over 2.7 million m², is Japan’s largest single university campus. While most teaching and research facilities are concentrated in Fukuoka City, the university also maintains affiliated research stations including farms, forests, and marine volcano observatories throughout Kyushu and beyond.
Address: 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, Japan
United States Air Force Academy
Area: 74.87 km²
Located in Colorado Springs, this institution trains future Air Force officers. Established later than other U.S. service academies, its first class graduated in 1959. The 18,500-acre (74.87 km²) campus admits unmarried U.S. citizens aged 17-22 who meet physical standards for pilots. The academy aims to develop leaders with the knowledge, ability, and discipline to command the world’s leading air force.
Address: Colorado, USA