The QS World University Rankings is one of the most prestigious and widely recognized university ranking systems globally. Compiled by Quacquarellu Symonds, the QS Rankings consider factors like students, educators, and policymakers while scoring and ranking the universities. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has retained its top spot for the 13th year, whereas Cambridge University has dropped to the fifth rank. In this blog, we have listed the top 10 QS-ranked universities in 2025.
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The QS World Rankings 2025 are based on factors such as:
- Employer Reputation
- Citations per Faculty
- Academic Reputation
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Proportion of international faculty
- Proportion of International Students
- International Research Network
- Employment Outcomes
- Sustainability
QS World Rankings 2025: Top 10 Universities
We have listed down the Top 10 universities as per QS World Rankings 2025:
|
Rank |
World Universities |
Overall Score |
Change in Position |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
100 |
No Change |
|
|
2 |
98.5 |
Up 4 Positions |
|
|
3 |
96.9 |
No Change |
|
|
4 |
96.8 |
No Change |
|
|
5 |
96.7 |
Down 3 Positions |
|
|
6 |
96.1 |
Down 1 Position |
|
|
7 |
93.9 |
No Change |
|
|
8 |
93.7 |
No Change |
|
|
9 |
91.6 |
No Change |
|
|
10 |
90.9 |
No Change |
MIT: Still at the Top
MIT is a pinnacle of academic excellence, recognized globally for its exceptional standards. Established in 1861, it remains the leader in science, engineering, technology, and innovation. Its innovation and research transcend boundaries. Besides this, MIT ranks at the top globally for many of its courses.
MIT was also ranked the world’s top university in 11 subject areas in QS World University Rankings by Subject:
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Computer Science and Information Systems
- Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Linguistics
- Materials Science
- Mechanical, Aeronautical, and Manufacturing Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics and Astronomy
- Statistics and Operational Research
Why is MIT still at the TOP?
There are a few reasons why MIT is ranked #1 for 13 consecutive years.
- MIT researchers are at the forefront of the development of artificial intelligence, climate adaptation, HIV, cancer, and poverty alleviation.
- MIT research has fueled scientific breakthroughs such as radar development, magnetic core memory, and the concept of the expanding universe.
- Sports is an eminent string that bows MIT’s bow. 20% of MIT undergraduates join a sports team. MIT has 33 varsity sports, boasting one of the best intercollegiate athletic programs in the world.
- MIT boasts a vibrant arts culture with 12 museums and galleries, drawing 125,000 visitors annually.
Suggested: How to Get into MIT from India: Know the Admission Requirements
University of Cambridge: Why it Slipped to Five?
Established in 1209, the University of Cambridge is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious universities. It comprises 31 autonomous colleges and over 100 academic departments organized into six schools. The university contributes to research, innovation, and intellectual advancement across various disciplines.
Some of the top courses at the University of Cambridge are:
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Medicine
- Law
- Economics
- History
- English Literature
- Philosophy
Why has Cambridge slipped to #5?
The University of Cambridge fell from second in 2024 to fifth in the QS World University Rankings 2025. It is the first time since the global rankings began 20 years ago that neither Oxford nor Cambridge is the top university in the UK.
Jessica Turner, the QS Chief executive, has stated, “This year’s results suggest that British higher education has limited capacity remaining to continue excelling in the face of funding shortages, drops in student applications, and ambiguity about the status of international students.”
This points to some factors as to why Cambridge has slipped to #5.
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From the Desk of Yocket
The QS World Rankings 2025 reflect the evolving landscape of higher global education. MIT remains the world’s top university for the 13th consecutive year. The QS World University Rankings 2025 reaffirm the excellence of institutions like MIT and the Univerisity of Cambridge. Cambridge maintains its stature among the top 5 universities worldwide. These rankings reflect the commitment of these universities to research, innovation, and educational excellence.
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