World University Rankings · 2026 edition
Find where to study, and what it really costs.
Rankings, tuition, visa rules and living costs for 194 countries and 50 US states and districts – one source, one page per answer.
Explore by region
All countries →World ranking, top 10
| Rank | University | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | USA |
| 2 | University of Oxford | UK |
| 3 | Stanford University | USA |
| 4 | Harvard University | USA |
| 5 | University of Cambridge | UK |
| 6 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | USA |
| 7 | Imperial College London | UK |
| 8 | ETH Zurich | Switzerland |
| 9 | University College London (UCL) | UK |
| 10 | University of Chicago | USA |
How the ranking works
The world ranking draws on QS, Times Higher Education and ARWU. The methodology page explains the criteria and how we combine them.
Read the methodology →Browse by subject
All 21 subjects →Plan your move
Frequently asked
Which country is cheapest for international students?
Some countries charge little or no tuition at public universities, and living costs differ widely. Our cheapest countries guide compares tuition and living costs side by side.
How is the ranking compiled?
The world ranking draws on three established university rankings (QS, Times Higher Education and ARWU). The methodology page explains the criteria and how we combine them.
Which subjects can I explore?
We publish 21 subject rankings, from Computer Science to Medicine, each with guides by country. See all subjects.