Chuo University institutional logo

Chuo University

Hachiōji, Japan Founded 1885 World Rank #2403

Updated May 2026

Overview

English Name: Chuo University
Local Name: 中央大学
Founded: 1885
Institution Type: University
Control Type: Private
World Rank: #2403
Rank in Japan: #113
Around Chuo University campus
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Founded in 1885, the Chuo University (Chuo Daigaku) is a private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Hachioji (population range of 500,000-1,000,000 inhabitants), Tokyo.

This institution also has a branch campus in Korakuen and Shinjuku. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, Chuo University is a large-sized coeducational Japanese higher education institution.

Chuo University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 139-year-old Japanese higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations.

The acceptance rate range is 10-19% making this Japanese higher education organization an extremely selective institution.

International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. Chuo University also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Location pin, postal address, phone, email, website, and social profiles for Chuo University. Always verify channels through the official domain to avoid third-party impersonators.

Address: Tama Vampus 742-1 Higashinakano
Postal Code: 192-0393
Other Sites: Also Korakuen, Ichigaya, and Ichigaya Tamachi campuses
Phone: +81 (42) 674 2210
Fax: +81 (426) 74 2214
Social Media:

Academic Details

The numbers below cover the academic side of Chuo University. Academic calendar conventions vary — semester, trimester, or quarter systems each carry different teaching rhythms.

Academic Year: April to February (April-August; September-February)
Recognition: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
Accrediting Agency: Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA)
Admission Requirements: Graduation from high school or foreign equivalent, and entrance examination
Student Enrollment: 25
Academic Staff Range: 700-799
Campus Setting: Urban

Academic Structures

Below is the academic-unit breakdown for Chuo University. Inter-faculty credit transfer rules vary; check whether modules outside your home faculty count toward your degree before enrolling.

Unit 13 items
  • Faculty of Commerce
  • Faculty of Economics
  • Faculty of Global Management
  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Letters
  • Faculty of Policy Studies
  • Faculty of Science and Engineering
  • Graduate School of Commerce
  • Graduate School of Economics
  • Graduate School of Law
  • Graduate School of Letters
  • Graduate School of Policy Studies
  • Graduate School of Science and Engineering

Degrees

Also Professional Graduate Diploma in International Accounting (CGSA), Law, and Business Administration (MBA).

Other 24 programs
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Business Administration
  • Business and Commerce
  • Chemistry
  • Civil Engineering
  • Cultural Studies
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Engineering
  • Geography (Human)
  • History
  • Information Technology
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • Law
  • Literature
  • Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Natural Sciences
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan.

Commerce (Faculty) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Banking
  • Business Administration
  • Business and Commerce
  • Finance
  • Marketing
Economics (Faculty) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Economics
  • Environmental Studies
  • Information Sciences
  • International Economics
  • Public Administration

Common Career Paths

  • Economist
  • Policy Analyst
  • Financial Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Law (Faculty) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • International Business
  • International Law
  • Law
  • Political Sciences

Common Career Paths

  • Lawyer
  • Legal Consultant
  • Compliance Officer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Letters (Faculty) 19 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • African Studies
  • American Studies
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Asian Studies
  • Chinese
  • Computer Science
  • Cultural Studies
  • Education
  • English
  • English Studies
  • European Studies
  • History
  • Japanese
  • Literature
  • Native Language
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Western European Studies
Policy Studies (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Cultural Studies
  • Political Sciences
Science and Engineering (Faculty) 17 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Applied Chemistry
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Civil Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronic Engineering
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Information Sciences
  • Information Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Measurement and Precision Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanics
  • Physics
  • Telecommunications Engineering

Common Career Paths

  • Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Technical Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Commerce (Graduate School) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Business Administration
  • Business and Commerce
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Marketing
Economics (Graduate School) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Economic and Finance Policy
  • Economics
  • International Economics

Common Career Paths

  • Economist
  • Policy Analyst
  • Financial Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

International Accounting (Graduate School) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy
  • Environmental Management
  • Finance
  • International Business

Common Career Paths

  • Accountant
  • Auditor
  • Financial Controller

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Law (Graduate School) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Commercial Law
  • Criminal Law
  • International Law
  • Law
  • Public Law

Common Career Paths

  • Lawyer
  • Legal Consultant
  • Compliance Officer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Law (Graduate School) 6 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Commercial Law
  • Criminal Law
  • International Law
  • Law
  • Private Law
  • Public Law

Common Career Paths

  • Lawyer
  • Legal Consultant
  • Compliance Officer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Letters (Graduate School) 18 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • African Studies
  • American Studies
  • Asian Studies
  • Chinese
  • Cultural Studies
  • Education
  • English
  • English Studies
  • French
  • German
  • History
  • Japanese
  • Literature
  • Native Language
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Western European Studies
Policy Studies (Graduate School) 10 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Asian Studies
  • Business Administration
  • Development Studies
  • Economic and Finance Policy
  • Economics
  • History
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • Law
  • Management
  • Social Studies
Public Policy (Graduate School) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Political Sciences
  • Public Administration
Science and Engineering (Graduate School) 11 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Applied Chemistry
  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Information Technology
  • Mathematics
  • Measurement and Precision Engineering
  • Physics
  • Telecommunications Engineering

Common Career Paths

  • Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Technical Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Strategic Management (Graduate School) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Business Administration
  • Commercial Law
  • Human Resources
  • Management
  • Marketing

Common Career Paths

  • Operations Manager
  • Project Manager
  • HR Manager

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Accounting Research (Research Division) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Accountancy

Common Career Paths

  • Accountant
  • Auditor
  • Financial Controller

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Business Research (Research Division) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Business and Commerce

Common Career Paths

  • Business Analyst
  • Operations Manager
  • Strategy Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Comparative Law in Japan (Research Division) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Comparative Law

Common Career Paths

  • Lawyer
  • Legal Consultant
  • Compliance Officer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Cultural Science (Research Division) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Cultural Studies

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Economic Research (Research Division) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Economics
Health and Sports Science (Research Division) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Health Sciences
  • Sports

Common Career Paths

  • Research Scientist
  • Lab Technician
  • Analyst

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Policy and Cultural Studies (Research Division) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Cultural Studies
  • Political Sciences
Science and Engineering (Research Division) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Engineering
  • Natural Sciences

Common Career Paths

  • Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Technical Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Social Sciences (Research Division) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Social Sciences

Common Career Paths

  • Researcher
  • Policy Analyst
  • Social Worker

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Programs Offered

Chuo University's teaching offering by degree level. Programmes archived in past intakes may still appear on search engines; the live list here is the current source of truth.

24 programmes on record. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Japan

Bachelor's Degree 10 programmes

Bachelor's Degree in Faculty of Advanced Science and Engineering
General Engineering

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Faculty of Commerce
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Faculty of Economics
Economics

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Faculty of Fundamental Science and Engineering
General Engineering

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Faculty of Global Informatics
Information Systems & Technology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Faculty of Global Management
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Faculty of Law
Law

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Faculty of Letters
Humanities & Cultural Studies

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Faculty of Policy Studies
Public Policy

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Bachelor's Degree in Faculty of Science, Engineering and Society
General Engineering

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master's Degree 10 programmes

Business School (Chuo Graduate School of Strategic Management)
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Chuo Graduate School of Strategic Management (DBA Program)
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Graduate School of Commerce
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Graduate School of Economics
Economics

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Graduate School of Global Informatics
Information Systems & Technology

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Graduate School of Law
Law

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Graduate School of Letters
Humanities & Cultural Studies

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Graduate School of Policy Studies
Public Policy

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Graduate School of Science and Engineering
General Engineering

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Master's Degree in Law School (Chuo Law School)
Law

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Doctorate 4 programmes

Graduate School of Commerce - Doctoral Program
Business & Management

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Graduate School of Economics - Doctoral Program
Economics

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Graduate School of Law - Doctoral Program
Law

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

Graduate School of Science and Engineering - Doctoral Program
General Engineering

Programme website (opens in a new tab)

How to apply to Chuo University

A short guide to applying to Chuo University — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Chuo University runs 24 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Before applying to Chuo University, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Japan.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Chuo University's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.

  4. 4
    Apply through the official channel

    Lodge your application through the official website (www.chuo-u.ac.jp). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +81 (42) 674 2210. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chuo University

Common questions students ask about Chuo University — answers pulled straight from the institution's published profile.

When was Chuo University founded?

Chuo University was established in 1885 (approximately 141 years ago).

Where can I find Chuo University?

The institution is located in Hachiōji, Japan.

Is Chuo University a public or private institution?

It is a private higher-education institution.

How many students does Chuo University have?

The institution has a student body of 25,000-29,999.

What is Chuo University's ranking?

It ranks #2403 globally and #113 in Japan.

What is Chuo University's academic structure?

The institution comprises 13 academic units.

Is Chuo University accredited?

Yes, Chuo University is recognised by Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA).

Where can I learn more about Chuo University?

Chuo University's official website is www.chuo-u.ac.jp.

Top-Ranked Universities in Japan

National rankings in Japan often weight different signals than international rankings. The leaders below typically top both, but the order can differ meaningfully.

Faculties at nearby universities

Regional admissions cycle quirks (early-deadline schemes, regional aid programmes) apply consistently across the universities near Chuo University. Worth knowing during shortlisting.

Where Else to Study Business & Management

Other universities in Japan that teach Business & Management appear below — useful for comparing programme depth against Chuo University. Programme structures differ even within the same country, so detailed comparison is worth the effort.

Universities Compared with Chuo University

Comparable institutions to Chuo University — by academic scale and standing — are gathered below. Same-tier shortlists give you flexibility on admissions outcomes without compromising on institutional level.

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