Which Local Universities Are the Wealthiest? These New Faces Have Entered the “3-Billion-Yuan Club”

Budget leaders and rising "black horses"

It has been reported that, as provincial and municipal 2026 budgets for local universities were released, 29 local (non-central) universities saw annual budgets exceed 30 billion yuan (3 billion RMB). Shenzhen University (深圳大学) remains the leader with a 2026 budget of 70.53 billion yuan, reportedly topping the local-university financial rankings for the fourth straight year. Beijing University of Technology (北京工业大学) and Soochow University (苏州大学) follow with 66.47 billion and 62.37 billion yuan, respectively.

Beyond the familiar names, several new “black horses” have emerged. Qilu University of Technology (齐鲁工业大学) rose to 51.72 billion yuan from 43.34 billion last year after a 2017 merger that positioned it for provincial priority. Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology (西安建筑科技大学) saw an especially dramatic leap, from 14.23 billion yuan in 2025 to 45.21 billion in 2026. Shandong’s cluster—including Shandong Agricultural University (山东农业大学), Qingdao University of Science and Technology (青岛科技大学), Shandong University of Science and Technology (山东科技大学) and Qingdao University (青岛大学)—accounts for five of the top 20, underscoring provincial strategies to back “Double First Class” (双一流) ambitions.

Targeted funding, provincial strategy and geopolitics

Not all schools gained. It has been reported that budgets at some formerly fast-growing institutions have retreated—Shenzhen University’s allocation slipped from 75.07 billion to 70.53 billion, Guangdong University of Technology (广东工业大学) edged down slightly, Zhejiang University of Technology (浙江工业大学) fell from 48.88 billion to 43.50 billion, and Nanjing Tech University (南京工业大学) dipped marginally. At the same time, other local institutions such as Shenzhen Polytechnic (深圳职业技术大学), Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (广东外语外贸大学) and Shantou University (汕头大学) gained funding, reflecting what observers call a shift from broad-based increases to “precision drip‑irrigation” of scarce fiscal resources.

Why the scramble for money? The central government has signalled a new round of support for the Double First Class program, and provincial governments are funnelling funds to accelerate scientific capacity and talent retention—objectives that take on added weight amid global tech competition and tighter export controls. Reportedly, a set of newer research-oriented universities is leveraging novel governance and funding models to carve space inside the traditional higher‑education map. But can more cash guarantee a place in the next Double First Class list? Money helps, but structural reforms, faculty quality and research output will decide who converts fiscal advantage into elite status.