There are 24 universities in Qingdao, including China Ocean University, Shandong University of Science and Technology, China Youshi University (East China), Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao University, Qingdao Binhai College, Qingdao Star Institute of Science and Technology, Qingdao Huanghai College, Qingdao City College, Qingdao Institute of Technology, Qingdao Film Academy, Qingdao Vocational and Technical College and Shandong Foreign Trade Vocational College.

Universities in Qingdao rank in the top three:

China Ocean University (OUC) is a member of China-Europe Elite University Union, Arctic University, International Antarctic College and International Ocean-related University Union, and the first batch of doctoral and master's degree awarding units in China.

China Youshi University (East China) is a university jointly established by the Ministry of Education, five major energy enterprise groups, the Ministry of Education and the Shandong Provincial People's Government. It is an important base for cultivating high-level talents in petroleum and petrochemical industry, with a graduate school and a national university science park.

Qingdao University is a key comprehensive university in Shandong Province, a high-level university in Shandong Province, Qingdao City and Shandong Province, and a "first-class" university.