The World’s Elite Universities: 2026 Rankings
Top 120 institutions by academic excellence, research impact & global reputation
Rank University Country Institution
Type
Core Metrics
Students Faculty Student/
Faculty
Ratio
QS
Score
1
1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Mens et Manus (Latin)
Founded: 1861
United States of America Private 11,886 1,090 10.9
100
2
Imperial College London
Scientia, imperii decus et tutamen (Latin)
Founded: 1907
United Kingdom Public 22,420 4,540 4.9
99.4
3
Stanford University
Die Luft der Freiheit weht (German)
Founded: 1891
United States of America Private 27,529 2,323 11.9
98.9
4
University of Oxford
Dominus illuminatio mea (Latin)
Founded: 1096
United Kingdom Public 27,160 7,220 3.8
97.9
5
Harvard University
Veritas (Latin)
Founded: 1636
United States of America Private 21,189 10,400 2.0
97.7
6
University of Cambridge
Latin: Hinc lucem et pocula sacra
Founded: 1209
United Kingdom Public 22,710 6,090 3.7
97.2
7
ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)
Where the future begins
Founded: 1854
Switzerland Public 24,534 6,612 3.7
96.7
8
National University of Singapore (NUS)
A leading global university centred in Asia, influencing the future
Founded: 1905
Singapore Public 35,908 2,555 14.1
95.9
9
UCL (University College London)
Cuncti adsint meritaeque expectent praemia palmae
Founded: 1826
United Kingdom Public 51,435 10,350 5.0
95.8
10
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
The truth shall make you free
Founded: 1891
United States of America Private 2,430 300 8.1
94.3
11
The University of Hong Kong
Sapientia et Virtus (Latin)明德格物
Founded: 1887
Hong Kong SAR, China Public 39,166 9,288 4.2
94.2
12
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore)
自强不息,力求上进
Founded: 1981
Singapore Public 37,458 1,590 23.6
93.7
13
University of Chicago
Crescat scientia; vita excolatur (Latin)
Founded: 1890
United States of America Private 19,287 3,418 5.6
93
14
Peking University
爱国 进步 民主 科学, 勤奋 严谨 求实 创新, 兼容并包 思想自由
Founded: 1898
China (Mainland) Public 48,587 12,841 3.8
92.6
15
University of Pennsylvania
Leges sine moribus vanae (Latin)
Founded: 1740
United States of America Private 23,374 4,793 4.9
92.5
16
Cornell University
"I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study"
Founded: 1865
United States of America Private 26,793 1,639 16.3
91.6
17
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
Fiat lux (Latin) Let there be light
Founded: 1868
United States of America Public 45,307 23,524 1.9
91.2
18
Tsinghua University
自强不息、厚德载物
Founded: 1911
China (Mainland) Public 62,496 17,270 3.6
91.2
19
The University of Melbourne
Latin: Postera Crescam Laude
Founded: 1853
Australia Public 53,963 5,186 10.4
90.8
20
The University of New South Wales
Latin: Scientia Corde Manu et Mente
Founded: 1949
Australia Public 82,272 3,610 22.8
90.7
21

Yale University
Lux et veritas (Latin)אורים ותמים (Hebrew)
Founded: 1701

United States of America Private 15,490 5,744 2.7
90.4
22
Technical University of Munich
The Entrepreneurial University
Founded: 1868
Germany Public 52,931 8,037 6.6
90.2
23
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Education, Research, and Technology Transfer
Founded: 1969
Switzerland Public 14,012 3,713 3.8
90.2
24
Johns Hopkins University
Veritas vos liberabit (Latin)
Founded: 1876
United States of America Private 30,549 27,300 1.1
89.7
25
The University of Sydney
Latin: Sidere mens eadem mutato
Founded: 1850
Australia Public 70,298 3,735 18.8
89.4
26
Princeton University
Dei Sub Numine Viget (Latin)On seal: Vet[us] Nov[um] Testamentum (Latin)
Founded: 1746
United States of America Private 8,478 2,021 4.2
89.4
27
McGill University
Grandescunt Aucta Labore
Founded: 1821
Canada Public 39,920 3,476 11.5
88.9
28
PSL University
Sapere Aude
Founded: 2010
France Public 17,000 2,900 5.9
88.6
29
University of Toronto
Velut arbor ævo (Latin)
Founded: 1827
Canada Public 69,976 3,246 21.6
88.5
30
Fudan University
博学而笃志,切问而近思
Founded: 1905
China (Mainland) Public 31,900 2,700 11.8
88.4
31
King's College London (KCL)
Sancte et Sapienter (Latin) With Holiness and Wisdom
Founded: 1829
United Kingdom Public 39,435 6,200 6.4
88.3
32
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
博文約禮 (Classical Chinese)
Founded: 1963
Hong Kong SAR, China Public 21,110 2,023 10.4
87.4
33
Australian National University
Latin: Naturam Primum Cognoscere Rerum
Founded: 1946
Australia Public 17,380 1,700 10.2
87.4
34
University of Edinburgh
Nec temere, nec timide
Founded: 1583
United Kingdom Public 40,625 5,401 7.5
87.2
35
The University of Manchester
Latin: Cognitio, sapientia, humanitas
Founded: 2004
United Kingdom Public 46,915 5,310 8.8
86.4
36
Monash University
Italian: Ancora imparo
Founded: 1958
Australia Public 86,558 9,737 8.9
85.8
37
The University of Tokyo
Into a Sea of Diversity: Creating the Future through Dialogue
Founded: 1877
Japan Public 28,133 6,311 4.5
85.8
38
Columbia University
In lumine Tuo videbimus lumen (Latin)
Founded: 1754
United States of America Private 36,649 4,628 7.9
85.6
39
Seoul National University
Veritas Lux Mea (Latin)
Founded: 1946
Republic of Korea Public 28,264 2,278 12.4
85.6
40
University of British Columbia
Tuum Est (Latin)
Founded: 1908
Canada Public 53,481 5,696 9.4
85.5
41
Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Pour la Patrie, les Sciences et la Gloire
Founded: 1741
France Public 10,000 2,100 4.8
85.4
42
The University of Queensland
Latin: Scientia ac Labore
Founded: 1909
Australia Public 57,154 2,988 19.1
85.1
43
Northwestern University
Quaecumque sunt vera (Latin)On seal: Ὁ Λόγος πλήρης χάριτος καὶ ἀληθείας (Greek)
Founded: 1851
United States of America Private 22,801 4,018 5.7
85.1
44
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Not found
Founded: 1991
Hong Kong SAR, China Public 17,189 2,024 8.5
84.8
45
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Latin: Artes, Scientia, Veritas
Founded: 1817
United States of America Public 52,855 7,096 7.4
84.7
46
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Fiat lux (Latin) Let there be light
Founded: 1919
United States of America Public 33,040 7,941 4.2
84.4
47
Delft University of Technology
Challenge the Future
Founded: 1842
Netherlands Public 26,971 4,415 6.1
84.3
48
Shanghai Jiao Tong University
饮水思源 (Yǐnshuǐsīyuán)爱国荣校 (Àiguóróngxiào)
Founded: 1896
China (Mainland) Public 16,221 3,061 5.3
84.3
49
Zhejiang University
求是创新
Founded: 1928
China (Mainland) Public 78,497 4,628 17.0
84
50
Yonsei University
(Latin) "Cognoscetis Veritatem et Veritas Liberabit Vos" (John 8:32) (English) "The truth will set you free" (John 8:32)진리가 너희를 자유케 하리라. (요한복음 8:32)
Founded: 1885
Republic of Korea Private 29,832 2,022 14.8
82.9
51
University of Bristol
Latin: Vim promovet insitam
Founded: 1595
United Kingdom Public 32,145 3,770 8.5
82.5
52
Carnegie Mellon University
"My heart is in the work" – Andrew Carnegie
Founded: 1900
United States of America Private 16,676 1,483 11.2
82.3
53
The University of Amsterdam
Not found
Founded: 1632
Netherlands Public 42,171 2,425 17.4
81.5
54
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
開物成務 勵學利民
Founded: 1937
Hong Kong SAR, China Public 26,245 1,230 21.3
81.2
55
New York University (NYU)
Perstare et Praestare
Founded: 2010
United States of America Private 2,075 320 6.5
81.1
56
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Latin: Rerum cognoscere causas
Founded: 1895
United Kingdom Public 12,910 2,023 6.4
80.5
57
Kyoto University
自由の学風
Founded: 1897
Japan Public 22,426 4,062 5.5
80.2
58
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Not found
Founded: 1472
Germany Public 54,616 5,565 9.8
80.1
59
Universiti Malaya (UM)
Ilmu Punca Kemajuan
Founded: 1962
Malaysia Public 18,296 2,165 8.5
80.1
60
KU Leuven
Sedes Sapientiae (Latin)
Founded: 1425
Belgium Public 65,534 11,534 5.7
79.7
61
Korea University
Libertas, Justitia, Veritas (Latin) 자유, 정의, 진리
Founded: 1905
Republic of Korea Private 31,130 4,443 7.0
79.6
62
Duke University
Eruditio et Religio (Latin)
Founded: 1838
United States of America Private 16,780 3,982 4.2
79
63
City University of Hong Kong
Officium et Civitas (Latin)敬業樂群 (Chinese)
Founded: 1984
Hong Kong SAR, China Public 12,309 845 14.6
78.9
64
National Taiwan University (NTU)
敦品勵學,愛國愛人[a]
Founded: 1928
Taiwan Public 3,668 2,029 1.8
78.9
65
The University of Auckland
Ingenio et labore (Latin)
Founded: 1883
New Zealand Public 35,337 2,455 14.4
77.5
66
University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
Fiat lux (Latin) Let there be light
Founded: 1960
United States of America Public 43,381 10,810 4.0
76.9
67

King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
نحلم ونحقق
Founded: 1963

Saudi Arabia Public 13,772 800 17.2
76.5
68
University of Texas at Austin
Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis (Latin)
Founded: 1883
United States of America Public 53,864 4,011 13.4
76.4
69
Brown University
In Deo Speramus (Latin)
Founded: 1764
United States of America Private 11,005 848 13.0
76.2
70
Université Paris-Saclay
Savoir, agir, innover
Founded: 1150
France Public 60,000 10,500 5.7
75.9
71
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
"Learning & Labor"
Founded: 1867
United States of America Public 59,238 2,548 23.2
75.9
72
Sorbonne University
Créateurs de futurs depuis 1257
Founded: 1257
France Public 55,600 6,400 8.7
75.7
73
Lund University
Ad utrumque
Founded: 1666
Sweden Public 47,000 5,050 9.3
75.7
74
The University of Warwick
Latin: Mens agitat molem
Founded: 1965
United Kingdom Public 29,435 3,780 7.8
75.2
75
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
Perpetuis futuris temporibus duraturam
Founded: 1592
Ireland Public 14,085 1,264 11.1
73.9
76
University of Birmingham
Latin: Per Ardua ad Alta
Founded: 1825
United Kingdom Public 36,835 4,205 8.8
73.8
77
The University of Western Australia
Seek Wisdom
Founded: 1911
Australia Public 29,426 2,023 14.5
73.7
78
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Vetenskap och konst
Founded: 1827
Sweden Public 13,955 2,023 6.9
73.6
79
University of Glasgow
Latin: Via, Veritas, Vita
Founded: 1451
United Kingdom Public 38,125 5,795 6.6
73.4
80
Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Semper apertus (Latin)
Founded: 1386
Germany Public 28,959 8,397 3.4
73
81
University of Washington
Lux sit (Latin)
Founded: 1861
United States of America Public 51,719 5,803 8.9
72.7
82
Pennsylvania State University
On seal: "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence"
Founded: 1855
United States of America Public 87,995 8,002 11.0
72.6
83
Adelaide University
A university for the future
Founded: 2024
2
Australia NA 65,157 2,705 24.1
72.6
84
Universidad de Buenos Aires
Argentum virtus robur et studium (Latin)
Founded: 1821
Argentina Public 350,000 30,850 11.3
72.3
85
Tokyo Institute of Technology
時代を創る知・技・志・和の理工人[a]
Founded: 1881
Japan Public 10,500 1,540 6.8
72.1
86
University of Leeds
Latin: Et augebitur scientia
Founded: 1831
United Kingdom Public 38,100 3,940 9.7
72
87
University of Southampton
Latin: Strenuis Ardua Cedunt
Founded: 1862
United Kingdom Public 25,995 2,800 9.3
71.2
88
Purdue University
Mens Agitat Molem
Founded: 1869
United States of America Public 52,211 2,974 17.6
71.1
89
Freie Universität Berlin
Veritas, Iustitia, Libertas (Latin)
Founded: 1948
Germany Public 38,539 2,851 13.5
71.1
90
Boston University
"Learning, Virtue, Piety"
Founded: 1839
United States of America Private 37,367 4,490 8.3
71.1
91
The University of Osaka
時代を創る知・技・志・和の理工人
Founded: 1881
Japan Public 23,226 2,000 11.6
71
92
The University of Sheffield
Rerum cognoscere causas (Latin)
Founded: 1905
United Kingdom Public 31,070 3,795 8.2
70.9
93
Uppsala University
Gratiae veritas naturae (Latin)
Founded: 1477
Sweden Public 52,241 4,135 12.6
70.3
94
University of Alberta
Quaecumque vera (Latin)
Founded: 1908
Canada Public 44,059 4,004 11.0
70.1
95
Durham University
Latin: Fundamenta eius super montibus sanctis
Founded: 1832
United Kingdom Public 21,750 2,895 7.5
70.1
96
University of Technology Sydney
Think. Change. Do.
Founded: 1964
Australia Public 51,038 2,024 25.2
69.9
97
The University of Nottingham
Latin: Sapientia urbs conditur
Founded: 1798
United Kingdom Public 47,953 7,220 6.6
69.4
98
Politecnico di Milano
Scambia la tua mente (Italian)
Founded: 1863
Italy Public 47,959 2,919 16.4
69.1
99
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
KIT – Die Forschungsuniversität in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft
Founded: 1825
Germany Public 22,816 5,409 4.2
69.1
100
University of Zurich (UZH)
Not found
Founded: 1833
Switzerland Public 25,732 3,702 7.0
68.5
101
University of Copenhagen
Latin: Coelestem adspicit lucem
Founded: 1479
Denmark Public 37,493 5,286 7.1
68.4
102
Pohang University of Science And Technology (POSTECH)
성실, 창의, 진취
Founded: 1986
Republic of Korea Private 3,581 283 12.7
67.9
103
Utrecht University
Sol Iustitiae Illustra Nos (Latin)
Founded: 1636
Netherlands Public 39,008 4,499 8.7
67.7
104
Nanjing University
诚朴雄伟励学敦行
Founded: 1902
China (Mainland) Public 8,948 2,197 4.1
67.7
105
Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen
Zukunft denken
Founded: 1870
Germany Public 44,892 6,264 7.2
67.6
106
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Наука есть ясное познание истины, просвещение разума
Founded: 1755
Russian Federation Public 39,282 5,000 7.9
67.6
107
Technical University of Denmark
Technology for people
Founded: 1829
Denmark Public 11,031 2,003 5.5
67.5
108
Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
Scientia Vinces
Founded: 1934
Brazil Public 97,325 5,306 18.3
67.3
109
Tohoku University
研究第一主義
Founded: 1907
Japan Public 1,346 5,756 0.2
66.7
110
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Numen Lumen (Latin)
Founded: 1848
United States of America Public 48,557 2,220 21.9
66.6
111
Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)
Coniunctis Viribus
Founded: 1785
United Kingdom Public 26,080 3,745 7.0
66.6
112
Qatar University
Not found
Founded: 1973
Qatar Public 23,929 961 24.9
66.5
113
University of St Andrews
Ancient Greek: Αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν(Aien aristeuein)
Founded: 1413
United Kingdom Public 11,895 2,023 5.9
66.4
114
University of California, Davis
Fiat lux (Latin)
Founded: 1905
United States of America Public 40,848 2,175 18.8
66.3
115
Aalto University
Not found
Founded: 2010
Finland Public 17,235 3,442 5.0
66.3
116
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
In Christi lumine pro mundi vita
Founded: 1888
Chile Private 33,769 1,652 20.4
66.1
117
University of Helsinki
Opiskelu ja opettaminen – yliopiston sydän
Founded: 1640
Finland Public 31,600 4,717 6.7
66.1
118
University College Dublin
(Latin) Ad Astra; Cothrom na Féinne
Founded: 1854
Ireland Public 37,889 1,974 19.2
66
119
Leiden University
Libertatis Praesidium (Latin)
Founded: 1575
Netherlands Public 37,136 2,021 18.4
65.7
120
Rice University
"Letters, Science, Art"
Founded: 1912
United States of America Private 8,880 2,024 4.4
65.7
Data Source: 2026 QS World University Rankings & Wikipedia.
1 The QS Overall Score considers factors like Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, and Citations per Faculty.
2 Adelaide University is a new entity formed from the merger of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, officially established in 2026.