[Edaily Reporter Shin Ha Young ] SamsungElectronics(005930)and SK hynix(000660)have posted their best-ever quarterly earnings, and it has been revealed that the admission cutoff scores for semiconductor contract programs at universities have surpassed those of Seoul National University’s science departments.

On the 21st, Jongno Academy released the regular admission cutoff scores for the 2026 academic year for five SamsungElectronics and SK hynix semiconductor contract programs, confirming these findings. The cutoff scores were calculated based on the average 70th percentile cutoff (the score of the 70th student out of 100 admitted) for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) Korean, Math, and Inquiry subjects, as disclosed by the universities through the DAEKYO’s college admissions portal “Eodiga.”

Analysis revealed that the average percentile score for Korean, Math, and Inquiry on the CSAT for the 2026 academic year’s semiconductor contract programs was 96.2 points. This score exceeds that of Seoul National University’s general science departments (95.8 points), excluding medical and pharmaceutical programs such as medical and pharmacy schools.

The contract major system was introduced in 2003 to align university education with industry needs. Under this system, companies and universities enter into agreements to incorporate industry demands into the curriculum and cultivate specialized talent. Companies subsidize tuition, allowing students to study at a lower cost, and most are guaranteed employment upon graduation.

Currently, there are five universities in Seoul that have established semiconductor contract programs through agreements with SamsungElectronics and SK hynix, with an average percentile score of 96.2 in the Korean, Math, and Inquiry sections of the CSAT. While this still falls short of the admission cutoff for medical schools in the Seoul area (98.8 points), it is comparable to that of regional medical schools (97.2 points).

By university, the Department of Semiconductor Engineering at Hanyang University had the highest average score at 98 points (SK hynix), followed by △ the Department of Semiconductor Engineering at Korea University at 97 points (SK hynix), △ the Department of Semiconductor Systems Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University at 96 points (SamsungElectronics), △ the Department of System Semiconductor Engineering at Sogang University at 95 points(SK hynix), and △Yonsei University’s Department of System Semiconductor Engineering at 95 points (SamsungElectronics).

The soaring admission cutoffs for university semiconductor contract programs have been influenced by the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and the surge in semiconductor demand. Thanks to the semiconductor boom, SamsungElectronics and SK hynix recorded all-time high operating profits of 57 trillion won and 37 trillion won, respectively, in the first quarter of this year. Performance bonuses received by employees also reached record highs, which is influencing the preference of students and parents for semiconductor programs.

Lim Seong-ho, CEO of Jongno Academy, analyzed, “Following the record-breaking performance recently posted by SamsungElectronics and SK hynix, the semiconductor boom is expected to continue for the foreseeable future,” adding, “Both the popularity of contract semiconductor programs and their admission cutoffs are rising simultaneously.” He continued, “Even when compared to medical schools in regional areas, the average percentile score is only one point lower,” adding, “There were likely quite a few students who, finding medical school unsuitable for their aptitudes or wishing to attend a university in Seoul, opted out of regional medical schools and enrolled in semiconductor contract programs instead.”

CEO Lim further remarked, “With the introduction of the Regional Physician Program in the 2027 academic year, which will increase medical school enrollment quotas, there is a possibility of ranking shifts—such as semiconductor contract programs reaching the same admission cutoff scores as regional medical schools.” He added, “Given the current situation, it appears that among students admitted to both semiconductor contract programs and Seoul National University’s College of Engineering, the number choosing the semiconductor program will increase.”