[Edaily Reporter Shin Ha Young ] As SamsungElectronics(005930)and SK hynix(000660)posted their highest-ever quarterly earnings, the admission cutoff scores for semiconductor contract programs offered by universities have surpassed those of Seoul National University’s science departments.

In the education sector, analysts suggest that as SamsungElectronics and SK hynix post record-breaking earnings, the ripple effects of the semiconductor boom are extending from college admissions all the way down to high school admissions.

Admission Cutoffs for Contract Semiconductor Programs Approach Medical School Levels

On the 21st

,

Jongno Academy released the regular admission cutoffs for the 2026 academic year for five

contract

semiconductor

programs

at SamsungElectronics and SK hynix. The regular admission cutoffs were calculated based on the average 70th percentile cutoff (the score corresponding to the top 70% of admitted students) for the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) Korean, Math, and Inquiry subjects, as disclosed by the universities through the DAEKYO 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, thereby cultivating specialized talent. Companies subsidize tuition, allowing students to study at a reduced 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 language, mathematics, and exploratory subjects 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 (SK hynix) had the highest average score at 98 points, followed by △ the Department of Semiconductor Engineering at Korea University (97 points, SK hynix) △ the Department of Semiconductor Systems Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University (96 points, SamsungElectronics) △ the Department of System Semiconductor Engineering at Sogang University (95 points, SK hynix) △Yonsei University’s Department of System Semiconductor Engineering (95 points, SamsungElectronics).

The surge in admission cutoffs for university semiconductor contract programs has been driven by the rapid increase in semiconductor demand amid the era of artificial intelligence (AI). 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, stated, “Following the record-breaking performance of SamsungElectronics and SK hynix, and with the semiconductor boom expected to continue for the time being, both the popularity of contract semiconductor programs and their admission cutoffs are rising simultaneously,” adding “Even when compared to medical schools in regional areas, the difference in average percentile scores is only 1 point. Therefore, there were likely quite a few students—those for whom medical school wasn’t the right fit or who wanted to attend a university in Seoul—who gave up on regional medical schools and enrolled in semiconductor contract programs instead,” he analyzed.

He continued, “With the introduction of the Regional Doctor Program in the 2027 academic year, which will increase medical school enrollment quotas, there is a possibility of shifts in rankings—such as semiconductor contract programs reaching the same admission cutoff as regional medical schools.” He added, “Given the current situation, it appears that an increasing number of students who are simultaneously accepted into both a semiconductor contract program and Seoul National University’s College of Engineering will ultimately choose the semiconductor program.”

Semiconductor Boom Impacts High School Admissions… Competition at Meister High Schools Also Rises

The impact of the semiconductor boom appears to be spreading beyond college admissions to high school admissions as well.

According to education officials, the competition ratio for this year’s incoming class at Chungbuk Semiconductor High School in Eumseong County, North Chungcheong Province, rose to 2.26 to 1, up from last year’s 1.51 to 1. Similarly, Korea Semiconductor Meister High School in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, which selected its first class of freshmen this year, recorded an admission competition ratio of 1.67 to 1. This figure is approximately twice as high as last year’s ratio (0.88 to 1), which was recorded before Gyeongju Technical High School in North Gyeongsang Province was designated as Korea Semiconductor Meister High School by the Ministry of Education.

An official from the Korea Semiconductor Meister High School, which successfully held admissions information sessions on the 30th of last month and the 20th of this month amid high demand, said, “We could sense that interest in enrollment among high-achieving students has increased compared to last year,” adding, “At this year’s sessions, many students and parents asked specific questions about the future outlook for the semiconductor industry and employment prospects after graduation.”

As interest in semiconductor-related Meister High Schools rises, an increasing number of specialized high schools are pursuing a transition to Meister High Schools. Hwigyeong Technical High School in Seoul is scheduled to open as SEOUL SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD. High School in March of next year, following final approval from the Ministry of Education this August. Yongin Semiconductor High School in Gyeonggi Province plans to open as a specialized high school in 2027 and then transition to a Meister High School in 2028.

Meister High Schools are specialized high schools that offer customized curricula linked to industrial demand. Under the Enforcement Decree of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, they can be designated by city or provincial superintendents of education with the consent of the Minister of Education. To date, a total of 59 schools have been designated as Meister High Schools with the approval of the Ministry of Education, and six more have recently been added to this list. The ministry is also considering the selection of at least 10 additional Meister High Schools in the future.

While in the past students typically enrolled in Meister High Schools primarily to secure employment, universities are now establishing various admission procedures—in addition to special admissions tracks for working professionals and specialized high school graduates—to support graduates of specialized high schools in earning bachelor’s degrees.

Lee Jin-woo, Director of the Secondary Vocational Education Policy Division at the Ministry of Education, stated, “We recently held career and college admission information sessions at middle schools across five regions, targeting high school graduates from vocational high schools (specialized and Meister high schools) who entered the workforce immediately after graduation. There was intense interest among students and parents in employment opportunities at semiconductor companies.” “Regarding Meister High Schools, we originally planned to finalize the selection of 65 schools, but given the rapidly increasing demand for personnel in the semiconductor and AI sectors, we are considering selecting at least 10 additional schools,” he said.