Harvard, Stanford and Oxford among the top 10 of 2025-2026 Best Global Universities rankings by US News & World Report: Check the complete list here
According to the rankings, China leads the list with 397 universities, followed by the United States with 280, India with 118, Japan with 104, and the United Kingdom with 93 institutions. These rankings offer students, educators, and policymakers a global perspective on higher education institutions with strong academic and research influence.
The rankings span 51 academic subjects, with eight fields seeing an expanded list of institutions this year, including artificial intelligence, engineering, and gastroenterology.
Each subject ranking is uniquely weighted based on research performance within that field.
Below are the ten highest-ranked universities in the overall global standings and their top-performing disciplines:
Rank
University Name
Country
1
Harvard University
United States
2
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
United States
3
Stanford University
United States
4
University of Oxford
United Kingdom
5
University of Cambridge
United Kingdom
6
University of California, Berkeley
United States
7
University College London (UCL)
United Kingdom
8
University of Washington, Seattle
United States
9
Yale University
United States
10
Columbia University
United States
Harvard University
Global Score: 100
Global Research Reputation: 1
Harvard continues to dominate globally, securing the top rank across multiple disciplines. It holds first place in fields such as immunology, microbiology, oncology, neuroscience, psychiatry/psychology, molecular biology and genetics, and economics and business.
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Harvard's research leadership spans health sciences, biological research, and social sciences, showcasing the breadth of its academic impact.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Global Score: 97.2
Global Research Reputation: 2
MIT ranks second overall and holds the top global position in physics. It is also a strong performer across biological and technological domains, including cell biology, biotechnology, microbiology, immunology, and economics.
Its consistent excellence in science and innovation cements its place as a global research powerhouse.
Stanford University
Global Score: 94.5
Global Research Reputation: 3
Stanford takes the top spot in mathematics and maintains strong positions in optics and radiology. With robust contributions across technology and health-related disciplines, the university sustains its elite status in both academic reputation and research influence.
University of Oxford
Global Score: 88.3
Global Research Reputation: 5
Oxford emerges as a global leader in infectious diseases and the arts and humanities. Its long-standing tradition of academic excellence and strong international research collaborations contribute significantly to its top-five global standing.
University of Cambridge
Global Score: 86.8
Global Research Reputation: 4
Cambridge ranks third globally in the arts and humanities and continues to be recognized for excellence across multiple research fields, maintaining its position as one of Europe's foremost academic institutions.
University of California, Berkeley
Global Score: 86.4
Global Research Reputation: 6
Berkeley's strengths lie in space science and other scientific disciplines. Its robust research ecosystem supports continued global influence and academic leadership in the sciences.
University College London
Global Score: 86.2
Global Research Reputation: 25
UCL is particularly prominent in pharmacology, toxicology, and the arts and humanities. Despite a relatively modest global reputation rank, it remains a consistent top-tier performer across several subject areas.
Yale University
Global Score: 86
Global Research Reputation: 9
Yale maintains its reputation as a leader in research, with a solid performance across a variety of disciplines. It continues to be recognized for its contributions to health sciences, the humanities, and social research.
Columbia University
Global Score: 85.8
Global Research Reputation: 13
Columbia secures the top rank in meteorology and atmospheric sciences and performs strongly in economics and business. Its interdisciplinary approach and urban research environment contribute to its international prominence.
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