What are the best universities in the world? Countries with the top higher education institutions
Getting a degree from a university with high reputation can bring benefits above and beyond the simple attainment of a higher education diploma.
Attaining a university degree can bring with it great rewards by opening doors that provide one with a higher earning potential. But all things being equal, receiving a degree from a more prestigious institution can amplify the benefits that your degree may give you.
The United States has long been known for fostering higher education and the majority of the top academic institutions are located there. But there are opportunities to attend top tier universities in other countries in Europe and Asia. Here’s a look at the universities that have the best reputation in the world.
Best Universities in the world
US News and World Report has ranked 2,000 institutions globally spread across 95 countries based on their academic research and reputation. Their Best Global Universities ranking is different than the outlet’s ranking specifically of just US universities. The United States is home to the most top ranked universities where 15 of the top twenty are located.
China comes in second place for overall number but only has eight universities in the top 100, split evenly between the mainland and Hong Kong. Australia also has eight universities considered to be in the 100 top of class. Throughout Europe there are 35 higher education institutions that rank among the top 100 global universities, with the United Kingdom containing the most at eleven.
The top 25 global universities
| Ranking | University | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University | USA |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | USA |
| 3 | Stanford University | USA |
| 4 | University of California Berkeley | USA |
| 5 | University of Oxford | UK |
| 6 | University of Washington Seattle | USA |
| 7 | Columbia University | USA |
| 8 | University of Cambridge | UK |
| 9 | California Institute of Technology | USA |
| 10 | Johns Hopkins University | USA |
| 11 | Yale University | USA |
| 12 | University College London | UK |
| 13 | Imperial College London | UK |
| 14 | University of California Los Angeles | USA |
| 15 | University of Pennsylvania | USA |
| 16 | Princeton University | USA |
| 17 | University of California San Francisco | USA |
| 18 | University of Toronto | Canada |
| 19 | University of Michigan | USA |
| 20 | University of California San Diego | USA |
| 21 | Cornell University | USA |
| 22 | University of Chicago | USA |
| 23 | Tsinghua University | China |
| 24 | Northwestern University | USA |
| 25 | Duke University | USA |