2025 World University Rankings by Discipline

The 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject have been unveiled, showcasing the leading institutions across various academic disciplines. The United States continues to assert its dominance, securing top spots in nine out of eleven subjects, emphasizing its ongoing excellence in higher education.

Engineering Leadership: Harvard at the Forefront

Harvard University retains its position as the top institution in Engineering, a title it also held in 2024. The top ten universities in this field are predominantly based in the U.S., reinforcing the nation's leadership in engineering education. The rankings include:

1. Harvard University
2. Stanford University
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
4. University of California, Berkeley
5. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
6. Princeton University
7. Georgia Institute of Technology
8. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
9. Yale University
10. Carnegie Mellon University

These universities are acknowledged for their exceptional research, innovation, and comprehensive engineering programs, with U.S. institutions continuing to play a significant role in global engineering education.

Noteworthy Subject Highlights

• Arts and Humanities: MIT has risen to the top, surpassing Stanford University in a major shift in the field's rankings.
• Business and Economics: The University of Pennsylvania leads, demonstrating its strength in business and economics research and programs.
• Computer Science: The University of Oxford takes the top position, highlighting its growing impact in computer science education.
• Education Studies: Stanford University leads, showcasing its leadership in educational research and innovation.
• Law: Stanford University also ranks first in law, reflecting its prestigious program and contributions to legal studies.
• Life Sciences: Harvard University remains at the top, underlining its extensive research in the life sciences.
• Medical and Health: Harvard continues to lead, reinforcing its excellence in medical research and education.
• Physical Sciences: California Institute of Technology (Caltech) ranks first, emphasizing its strength in physical sciences.
• Psychology: Stanford University is the leader, recognized for its influential psychology programs and research.
• Social Sciences: Harvard University also leads this category, underscoring its comprehensive social sciences programs.

Global Representation

While U.S. universities dominate the rankings, other countries also make notable appearances:

• United Kingdom: The University of Oxford ranks first in Computer Science, and the University of Cambridge excels in multiple disciplines.
• Asia: Chinese institutions such as Peking University and Tsinghua University have advanced in the Business and Economics rankings, placing fourth and sixth, respectively.

These rankings reflect the global landscape of higher education, highlighting the diverse areas of excellence and the strengths of universities across the world.