ETH Zurich vs TUM: Complete Comparison 2026

Side-by-side look at ETH Zurich and Technical University of Munich: QS 2026 ranks 7 vs 22. Acceptance, tuition, language tests, and typical IB/A-Level signals…

→ ETH Zurich profile → Technical University of Munich profile

Summary comparison

Figures come from the GlobalAdmit dataset — always confirm on each university’s official admissions site.

Metric	ETH Zurich	Technical University of Munich
QS rank 2026	7	22
Country	CH 🇨🇭	DE 🇩🇪
Acceptance rate	27%	8%
Tuition (intl / yr)	$1,580	$0
Language (summary)	IELTS 7+ · TOEFL 100+ · Duolingo 120+	IELTS 6.5+ · TOEFL 88+ · Duolingo 110+
IB typical	35/45	IB ~36
A-Level typical	AAA	—

Strengths

ETH Zurich

Globally elite QS band (top 10 in 2026).
Large, diverse international student body.
Distinct academic brand and a global alumni footprint.

Technical University of Munich

Top 30 global recognition in QS World University Rankings 2026.
Highly selective admissions profile.
Large, diverse international student body.

Popular majors (overlap)

Where both profiles list the same popular major label (case-insensitive).

No overlapping popular-major labels in our dataset yet — open each profile for subject-level detail.

Which is right for you?

If rankings are your north star

ETH Zurich sits higher in QS 2026 (7 vs 22). That often correlates with research intensity and global name recognition — but TUM can still win on programme fit, city, or cost.

If budget is the deciding factor

All-in signals favour TUM on tuition plus living costs in our dataset — re-check official fee schedules because currency, programme, and visa rules move yearly.

If you are coming from IB / A-Levels / US high school

Compare the admission tabs on each profile: ETH Zurich vs TUM can invert depending on whether you are optimising for IB typical offers, A-level expectations, or US-style testing. Use the evaluator after you narrow your list.

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