Nice makes a significant leap in the latest ranking of student cities established by the magazine L’Étudiant. In 2025, it climbs to 11th place, compared to 26th last year. This progression reflects several developments in the Nice area.
Nice now ranks 11th in the 2025 ranking by L’Étudiant, alongside Bordeaux, Angers, Marseille-Aix, and Clermont-Ferrand. The city gains 15 places out of a total of 47 metropolitan areas hosting more than 8,000 students.
This climb is based on several factors. Overall, the scores awarded to the city in the various categories have improved. The density of the training offer, in particular, saw its score double from 2 to 4 out of 10. Local initiatives received the maximum score.
The student satisfaction rate is also increasing. It rises from 74% in 2024 to 83% this year. This result marks a significant change in students’ perception of their life in Nice.
However, the living environment criterion shows a slight decline. The student housing offer is criticized, with a score of 1 out of 10, compared to 3 out of 10 last year.
Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, mentions long-term work: “this significant progress in the ranking of student cities is the result of our continuous efforts, with our partners in student life, higher education, and our economic partners. Since 2008, we have created an attractive ecosystem on the metropolitan territory that has improved living conditions, study conditions, and professional integration for students in Nice.”
He also highlights the role of recently established institutions: “the establishment of major schools in Nice in recent years and the doubling of the number of students (more than 51,000 today) are strong indicators of the attractiveness of our region and have certainly been decisive in the clear rise of the City in the ranking by L’Étudiant.”
A strengthened national positioning
The 2025 ranking is led by Toulouse, followed by Besançon and Montpellier (tied), Rennes, and Caen. Nice is now in a dense group of intermediate cities, indicating an upgrade in the student offering.
This progression could represent a leverage point for continuing to strengthen services dedicated to students and anticipating growing needs in housing, transportation, and employment support. In the medium term, it could also encourage the establishment of new campuses and foster the development of partnerships between educational institutions and local economic actors.
