Skip to content

Nizhny Novgorod’s education boom defies stagnation with 170,000 students

A record 1,163 applicants compete for every 100 state-funded spots. How is this Russian region growing without new universities? The numbers reveal a surprising trend.

The image shows an old map of the city of Novgorod, Russia, with text written on it. The map is...
The image shows an old map of the city of Novgorod, Russia, with text written on it. The map is detailed, showing the streets, buildings, and other landmarks of the area. The text on the map provides additional information about the city, such as its population, streets, and landmarks.

Nizhny Novgorod’s education boom defies stagnation with 170,000 students

The Nizhny Novgorod region has seen steady growth in higher education, despite no new universities opening in the past five years. Over 170,000 students are now enrolled in vocational and degree programs as the 2025/26 academic year begins. Competition for state-funded places has also surged, with 1,163 applicants vying for every 100 budget-funded spots this year.

The region’s student population has expanded by 8.2% over the last five years. Currently, 91,500 people are pursuing higher education, while the rest study vocational courses. Among them, 65.3% attend full-time, 25.6% opt for distance learning, and 9.1% study part-time.

Women make up 53.3% of the student body, and half of all learners fund their own education. The most sought-after fields include economics, management, education, law, computer science, engineering, clinical medicine, and mechanical engineering. In 2025, universities in the region graduated 16,800 specialists. The majority of students—64.8%—are enrolled in bachelor’s programs, while 23.3% pursue specialist degrees and 11.9% study for master’s qualifications. The sector comprises 10 public and municipal universities, 16 of their branches, one private university, and three private institution branches.

The Nizhny Novgorod region’s education system continues to grow without new university openings. Demand for state-funded places remains high, and vocational and degree programs attract over 170,000 students. With a steady increase in graduates and a diverse range of study formats, the sector shows no signs of slowing down.

Read also:

Latest