World's Best Colleges: Top 400
U.S. News & World Report's World's Best Colleges and Universities rankings based on the Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings identified these to be the world's top universities in 2008.
| Rank | Overall Score | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University United States | 100.0 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 100 | Student to Faculty Score 96 | International Faculty Score 87 | International Students Score 81 | Citations per Faculty Score 100 |
| 2 | Yale University United States | 99.8 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 100 | Student to Faculty Score 100 | International Faculty Score 89 | International Students Score 71 | Citations per Faculty Score 98 |
| 3 | University of Cambridge United Kingdom | 99.5 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 100 | Student to Faculty Score 99 | International Faculty Score 98 | International Students Score 95 | Citations per Faculty Score 89 |
| 4 | University of Oxford United Kingdom | 98.9 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 100 | Student to Faculty Score 100 | International Faculty Score 96 | International Students Score 96 | Citations per Faculty Score 85 |
| 5 | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) United States | 98.6 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 74 | Student to Faculty Score 98 | International Faculty Score 100 | International Students Score 93 | Citations per Faculty Score 100 |
| 6 | Imperial College London United Kingdom | 98.4 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 99 | Employer Review Score 100 | Student to Faculty Score 100 | International Faculty Score 98 | International Students Score 100 | Citations per Faculty Score 83 |
| 7 | UCL (University College London) United Kingdom | 98.1 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 96 | Employer Review Score 99 | Student to Faculty Score 100 | International Faculty Score 96 | International Students Score 100 | Citations per Faculty Score 89 |
| 8 | University of Chicago United States | 98.0 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 99 | Student to Faculty Score 98 | International Faculty Score 78 | International Students Score 83 | Citations per Faculty Score 91 |
| 9 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) United States | 96.7 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 100 | Student to Faculty Score 90 | International Faculty Score 33 | International Students Score 94 | Citations per Faculty Score 100 |
| 10 | Columbia University United States | 96.3 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 99 | Student to Faculty Score 98 | International Faculty Score 29 | International Students Score 89 | Citations per Faculty Score 94 |
| 11 | University of Pennsylvania United States | 96.1 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 97 | Employer Review Score 98 | Student to Faculty Score 88 | International Faculty Score 83 | International Students Score 79 | Citations per Faculty Score 99 |
| 12 | Princeton University United States | 95.7 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 98 | Student to Faculty Score 75 | International Faculty Score 91 | International Students Score 82 | Citations per Faculty Score 100 |
| 13 | Duke University United States | 94.4 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 97 | Employer Review Score 98 | Student to Faculty Score 100 | International Faculty Score 30 | International Students Score 66 | Citations per Faculty Score 94 |
| 13 | Johns Hopkins University United States | 94.4 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 99 | Employer Review Score 78 | Student to Faculty Score 100 | International Faculty Score 30 | International Students Score 68 | Citations per Faculty Score 100 |
| 15 | Cornell University United States | 94.3 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 99 | Student to Faculty Score 90 | International Faculty Score 28 | International Students Score 76 | Citations per Faculty Score 96 |
| 16 | Australian National University Australia | 92.0 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 93 | Student to Faculty Score 82 | International Faculty Score 99 | International Students Score 91 | Citations per Faculty Score 74 |
| 17 | Stanford University United States | 91.2 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 100 | Student to Faculty Score 67 | International Faculty Score 26 | International Students Score 87 | Citations per Faculty Score 100 |
| 18 | University of Michigan United States | 91.0 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 99 | Employer Review Score 99 | Student to Faculty Score 85 | International Faculty Score 59 | International Students Score 51 | Citations per Faculty Score 84 |
| 19 | University of Tokyo Japan | 90.0 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 94 | Student to Faculty Score 98 | International Faculty Score 27 | International Students Score 40 | Citations per Faculty Score 78 |
| 20 | Mcgill University Canada | 89.7 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 97 | Student to Faculty Score 99 | International Faculty Score 62 | International Students Score 95 | Citations per Faculty Score 51 |
| 21 | Carnegie Mellon University United States | 89.6 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 95 | Employer Review Score 97 | Student to Faculty Score 82 | International Faculty Score 50 | International Students Score 97 | Citations per Faculty Score 79 |
| 22 | King'S College London United Kingdom | 89.5 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 93 | Employer Review Score 98 | Student to Faculty Score 89 | International Faculty Score 91 | International Students Score 85 | Citations per Faculty Score 70 |
| 23 | University of Edinburgh United Kingdom | 89.3 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 96 | Employer Review Score 99 | Student to Faculty Score 82 | International Faculty Score 91 | International Students Score 82 | Citations per Faculty Score 70 |
| 24 | Eth Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) Switzerland | 89.1 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 95 | Employer Review Score 82 | Student to Faculty Score 56 | International Faculty Score 100 | International Students Score 94 | Citations per Faculty Score 99 |
| 25 | Kyoto University Japan | 87.4 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 99 | Employer Review Score 87 | Student to Faculty Score 80 | International Faculty Score 30 | International Students Score 26 | Citations per Faculty Score 91 |
| 26 | University of Hong Kong Hong Kong | 87.1 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 94 | Employer Review Score 90 | Student to Faculty Score 86 | International Faculty Score 100 | International Students Score 92 | Citations per Faculty Score 59 |
| 27 | Brown University United States | 85.2 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 92 | Employer Review Score 83 | Student to Faculty Score 64 | International Faculty Score 56 | International Students Score 58 | Citations per Faculty Score 99 |
| 28 | École Normale Supérieure, Paris France | 84.8 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 93 | Employer Review Score 72 | Student to Faculty Score 68 | International Faculty Score 29 | International Students Score 69 | Citations per Faculty Score 99 |
| 29 | University of Manchester United Kingdom | 84.4 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 91 | Employer Review Score 100 | Student to Faculty Score 82 | International Faculty Score 91 | International Students Score 84 | Citations per Faculty Score 56 |
| 30 | National University of SINGAPORE(NUS) Singapore | 84.3 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 98 | Student to Faculty Score 39 | International Faculty Score 100 | International Students Score 100 | Citations per Faculty Score 75 |
| 30 | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) United States | 84.3 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 98 | Student to Faculty Score 48 | International Faculty Score 23 | International Students Score 36 | Citations per Faculty Score 100 |
| 32 | University of Bristol United Kingdom | 84.1 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 83 | Employer Review Score 99 | Student to Faculty Score 82 | International Faculty Score 85 | International Students Score 74 | Citations per Faculty Score 74 |
| 33 | Northwestern University United States | 83.3 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 88 | Employer Review Score 97 | Student to Faculty Score 78 | International Faculty Score 30 | International Students Score 61 | Citations per Faculty Score 82 |
| 34 | École Polytechnique France | 83.0 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 80 | Employer Review Score 96 | Student to Faculty Score 100 | International Faculty Score 62 | International Students Score 93 | Citations per Faculty Score 58 |
| 34 | University of British Columbia Canada | 83.0 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 93 | Student to Faculty Score 69 | International Faculty Score 33 | International Students Score 61 | Citations per Faculty Score 67 |
| 36 | University of California, Berkeley United States | 82.9 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 100 | Student to Faculty Score 24 | International Faculty Score 88 | International Students Score 36 | Citations per Faculty Score 100 |
| 37 | The University of Sydney Australia | 82.4 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 99 | Employer Review Score 97 | Student to Faculty Score 55 | International Faculty Score 97 | International Students Score 93 | Citations per Faculty Score 54 |
| 38 | The University of Melbourne Australia | 82.3 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 100 | Student to Faculty Score 59 | International Faculty Score 54 | International Students Score 96 | Citations per Faculty Score 56 |
| 39 | Hong Kong University of Science & Technology Hong Kong | 81.4 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 86 | Employer Review Score 90 | Student to Faculty Score 60 | International Faculty Score 100 | International Students Score 97 | Citations per Faculty Score 72 |
| 40 | New York University (NYU) United States | 81.3 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 96 | Employer Review Score 96 | Student to Faculty Score 83 | International Faculty Score 28 | International Students Score 56 | Citations per Faculty Score 54 |
| 41 | University of Toronto Canada | 81.1 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 100 | Employer Review Score 94 | Student to Faculty Score 18 | International Faculty Score 80 | International Students Score 46 | Citations per Faculty Score 100 |
| 42 | The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong | 81.0 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 85 | Employer Review Score 84 | Student to Faculty Score 80 | International Faculty Score 98 | International Students Score 86 | Citations per Faculty Score 57 |
| 43 | University of Queensland Australia | 80.7 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 95 | Employer Review Score 97 | Student to Faculty Score 49 | International Faculty Score 100 | International Students Score 78 | Citations per Faculty Score 63 |
| 44 | Osaka University Japan | 80.1 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 90 | Employer Review Score 69 | Student to Faculty Score 93 | International Faculty Score 25 | International Students Score 28 | Citations per Faculty Score 70 |
| 45 | University of New South Wales Australia | 79.8 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 97 | Employer Review Score 99 | Student to Faculty Score 35 | International Faculty Score 83 | International Students Score 91 | Citations per Faculty Score 68 |
| 46 | Boston University United States | 79.1 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 91 | Employer Review Score 85 | Student to Faculty Score 66 | International Faculty Score 26 | International Students Score 59 | Citations per Faculty Score 73 |
| 47 | Monash University Australia | 78.7 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 98 | Employer Review Score 99 | Student to Faculty Score 52 | International Faculty Score 99 | International Students Score 99 | Citations per Faculty Score 37 |
| 48 | University of Copenhagen Denmark | 78.5 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 88 | Employer Review Score 59 | Student to Faculty Score 100 | International Faculty Score 67 | International Students Score 69 | Citations per Faculty Score 45 |
| 49 | Trinity College Dublin Ireland | 78.2 | |||
| Academic Peer Review Score 90 | Employer Review Score 96 | Student to Faculty Score 68 | International Faculty Score 99 | International Students Score 76 | Citations per Faculty Score 42 |
| Source: QS Quacquarelli Symonds (www.topuniversities.com) | See Schools 50-99 » | ||||
Reader Comments
Oxford versus Chicago
This comparison highlights my point. Oxford is arguably more well known "reputationally" than Chicago. However, Chicago has produced more Nobel laureates and far more ground breaking scientific and humanities break through than oxford !
Ranking methodology must take into account the purpose (goal) for which the ranking will be used.
if you want to undertake a scientific research degree in the physical sciences then Chicago is clearly the choice. If you seek an appointment with an international body such as UN, UNESCO, then Oxford may prima facie be more attractive to the recruiters. However, the ARWU Shangai rankings puts Chicago ahead of Oxford. Another overated university whose reputation does not match the metrics is Yale. Yale and Oxford tend to be "reputationally overated", compared to their real academic metrics or the impact of their alumni . However, they both still remain among the world's best universities which ever way you estimate it.
I also think a scorable credit should be given to any university whose research, or that of its alumni have made global impact, but where such impact is not recognized by a Nobel prize.
For example, the University of Glasgow produced Adam Smith who is the father of economics, Lord Lister the father of antiseptic and modern surgery, and Prof Ian Donald who perfected medical ultrasound. Similarly, Oxford university produded Tim Berners-Lee who wove the world wide web while at CERN,Geneva. He is great source of pride to oxonians.
University of Oxford Versus University of Chicago
I've studied at Chicago and Oxford. Oxford is more internationally reputable than Chicago, but in terms of raking the "best" school, it is most appropriate to look at the ultimate purpose of education. In looking at students' intelligence, critical thinking skills, and dedication to improving the world's stock of knowledge, the University of Chicago far outranks Oxford (in my opinion). Both student bodies are excellent, but Chicago doesn't tend to attract the cosmopolitan globe trotters that Oxford does. The students at Chicago are there because they're completely dedicated to their academic/research pursuits. Many of Oxford's students are at Oxford for the same reason, but a larger proportion seem to be more interested in aristocracy.
Unfortunately, the ranking methods do not or cannot take the students into account. This is a huge downfall in these rankings. After all, the best students know that faculty and alumni don't make the educational experience. Rather, it is the other students in the classroom that push you to think more critically and work harder.
World College rankings
College rankings should have stated goals to be meaningful.The purpose or the goal should determine their ranking methodology. One ranking methodology cannot be applicable to all goals r intended use of the ranking.
The purpose of the rankings include 1) selecting an undergraduate university 2) selecting postgraduate professional training 3) selecting postgraduate research placement 4) Deciding which academic "pedigree" is best suited for particular positions, nationally or internationally ( eg. UN, EEC,IMF, WHO, WORLD BANK private foundations, NGOs ETC).
For example, for the selection of undergraduate educational institution, parameters such as satisfaction of the alumni, graduation rates, job recruitment and placement, proportion of graduates who get into graduate school of their choice, ability of young graduates to start their own businesses are more germane.
By contrast, for postgraduate research degrees (MS/PHD) or (MA/PHD), metrics such as faculty research impact (citation per faculty, Awards, prizes and honors won by past graduate students and faculty, research grants), current jobs abd accomplishments of graduate alumni, inventions and patents, academic leadership index of PHD alumni in their fields ( election to honorific fellowships of faculty and alumni, role in National policy decision making), time to complete the PHD, should be the paramount indices for consideration.
The appropriate metrics for the choice of professional training in Medicine, Law or business will appear to be more "reputational".
The best metrics will be to use the alumni standing(positions held) in their professional fields as a top determinant. However, such a parameter may be affected by "networking" which may obscure the meritorious aspects of the alumni from less well known Universities.
Scores and first -time pass rates in licencing examinations,proportion of graduates who attain "leadership" in the profession should be used as the metrics.
Even if this goal -specific ranking methodology is employed, the incremental benefit in sensitivity and specificity of the rankings will only be marginal.Its greatest impact will be to separate the "world class instituitions" from the "regional" ones. The highest ranked (top 20) universities will remain virtually inseparable.
It may therefore be more meaningful to have league tables rather than ranks for the elite world universities as a guide to the users of these rankings.
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