Johannes Kepler University of Linz

Johannes Kepler University of Linz is a public university in Austria, located in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria. Johannes Kepler University of Linz (JKU) was founded in 1966 as the "College of Social Sciences, Economics and Business" (Hochschule für Sozial- und Wirtschaftswissenschaften). It was the first university in Upper Austria and was established in response to the growing demand for higher education in the region. In 1973, the college was expanded to include a Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences. In 1975, it was renamed the "Johannes Kepler University of Linz" in honor of astronomer Johannes Kepler, who lived and worked in Linz for many years. JKU continued to grow in the following decades, and new faculties and departments were added. In 1992, the Faculty of Law was established. In 2002, the Faculty of Medicine was established, in cooperation with the Medical University of Graz.

Today, JKU is one of the largest universities in Austria. JKU is known for its strong research focus and its close ties to industry. It has a number of research centers and institutes that collaborate with businesses and organizations around the world. JKU is also a major center for innovation and entrepreneurship. JKU has played a major role in the development of Linz and Upper Austria. It has helped to attract businesses and investment to the region and has produced a generation of highly skilled and educated graduates. JKU is a vital part of the Upper Austrian community and continues to be a leader in higher education and research.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2026, Johannes Kepler University of Linz is positioned as the #473 top university in the world, which makes it the #5 top university in Austria. The university's global rank decreased by 1 point from last year.