Delhi Emerges as World's Most Affordable City for International Students
Delhi has secured the top position globally as the most affordable city for international students, according to a comprehensive joint report released by Knight Frank, Deloitte India and QS. The findings, published in the 'India's 155 Million Student Mandate' report on Wednesday, highlight Delhi's exceptional cost-effectiveness for overseas students pursuing higher education.
Indian Cities Shine in Global Student Affordability Rankings
The report draws upon the QS Best Student Cities 2026 rankings, which evaluate 150 urban destinations worldwide across six equally weighted parameters:
- Affordability
- Employer activity
- University rankings
- City desirability
- Student voice
- Student mix
While Delhi claimed the number one spot for affordability, Mumbai ranked 11th globally, and Bengaluru secured the 15th position on the list. This strong showing demonstrates India's growing appeal as an education destination.
Affordability: India's Key Competitive Advantage
The report emphasizes that affordability remains India's strongest competitive advantage in the global education landscape. "Affordability remains one of the most decisive factors for international students and parents, and this is where Indian cities outperform almost every major global education hub," the consulting firms noted in their analysis.
The study reveals that tuition fees, living costs, and purchasing power in Indian cities compare favorably with leading education destinations in the United Kingdom, United States, Europe, and Australia. This economic advantage translates into significant benefits for students and their families.
Economic Benefits for International Students
According to the report, studying in Indian cities offers multiple financial advantages:
- Lower total cost of education without compromising on quality
- Reduced dependence on long-term student debt
- Strong return on investment through improved employability outcomes
India's Transition in Global Education Landscape
The consultants observed a significant shift in how global universities perceive India. Rather than viewing the country merely as a source of students, international institutions are increasingly recognizing India as a destination for establishing long-term academic presence.
"India is home to the world's largest 18–23 age cohort, with nearly 155 million young adults, and is transitioning from a traditional outbound student market to a core geography for offshore university campuses," Knight Frank India stated in their official release.
Strategic Importance and Future Outlook
The report projects that India is poised to become one of the most strategically important destinations globally for higher education expansion. This transformation is being driven by three key factors:
- Policy reforms supporting international education
- Demographic scale with a massive youth population
- Urban readiness and infrastructure development
Shishir Baijal, International Partner, Chairman and Managing Director of Knight Frank India, emphasized the importance of strategic planning: "India's higher education opportunity must be understood through the lens of cities and real estate. Policy enables entry, but it is spatial strategy that determines success."
He further added that global universities adopting a city-led, phased real estate strategy would be best positioned to build a lasting academic presence in India.
The comprehensive analysis suggests that India's combination of affordability, demographic advantage, and policy support creates a compelling proposition for international students and educational institutions alike, positioning the country as an increasingly important player in global higher education.
