Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) rose in the rankings for faculty research competitiveness, student outcomes, and educational conditions in the recently released 2025 JoongAng Ilbo university evaluation, placing third among flagship national universities. In the Growth University evaluation, conducted this year for the first time to analyze mid‑ to long‑term development, JBNU ranked sixth nationwide.

The university attributed the positive outcomes to efforts to become a research‑centered university by cultivating academic fields aimed at the global Top 100, educational innovations such as expanding the scope of recruitment units, and concentrated investment in student‑related areas.

The most notable achievement in this evaluation was faculty research capacity. JBNU ranked first among flagship national universities in external research funding per faculty and third nationwide in internal research funding per faculty, solidifying its status as a research‑centered university. This outcome is attributed to concerted efforts to expand research infrastructure, including recent successes in securing the Glocal University 30 project, the Semiconductor Joint Research Center, and major National R&D Programs.

Comprehensive improvements were also achieved in student‑related areas. The undergraduate dropout rate fell from 4.27% to 3.89%, raising the university's rank by 12 places, and the dropout rate among international students also declined markedly, moving up by 13 places.

Both the direct employment rate and the graduate school matriculation rate increased, and startup support funding rose by more than KRW 4.6 billion, placing JBNU fifth nationwide. This reflects the university's continued end‑to‑end and comprehensive support for startups. In addition, the "social impact" indicator—which reflects graduates' advancement into politics and government, the economy, the legal professions, and academia—improved by 10 places, demonstrating notable growth in graduate reputation.

Educational conditions also improved. The ratio of educational expenditure to tuition increased year‑on‑year, raising the ranking by four places, and most educational environment indicators—including scholarship per student, the proportion of faculty with external experience, and the donation ratio—rose. These results are attributed to progress in the Glocal University 30 project, AI‑based educational innovations, and student‑centered support policies.

Recent tangible improvements for students—such as construction of a student town, the establishment of dropout‑prevention and international lounges, expansion of laboratory and practical training infrastructure, and increases in scholarship funding—have been highly felt by students. To prepare for the AI era, the university introduced an AI tutor learning management system to support students' learning and career development; an AI‑based research funding management system and a dedicated immersive educational space called 'AI Space' also became driving forces behind the positive evaluations.

Most encouraging is the improvement in reputation, which had previously been a weakness. The ranking for "Parents' Preferred University for Matriculation" jumped from 34th to 26th. The university analyzed that AI‑based curricular reforms, the establishment of a student support platform, and the creation of future‑oriented departments linked to regional and national strategic projects have collectively increased overall trust.

Yang O‑bong, President of JBNU, said, "That research capacity, educational conditions, and student outcomes have all improved is the result of innovations pursued collectively by all university members. Going forward, we will continue to pursue student‑centered investments and build a future‑oriented education system to advance to a global Top 100 research university."