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 Score1
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.