October 11, 2025 | 04:54 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The academic realm is one where excellence isn’t pursued only by students, but also by the institutions themselves. Times Higher Education has examined 2,191 higher education institutions for the 2026 ranking of top universities in the world, assessing them across key performance indicators such as teaching, research environment, research quality, industry outreach, and international outlook, which all contribute to an overall score.
Unsurprisingly, the University of Oxford retains the top spot for the tenth consecutive year, bolstered by a perfect score in its research environment. Close behind, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) secures second place, standing out with a perfect score in industry outreach.
Here’s a closer look at the 10 top universities in the world, according to Times Higher Education.
List of Top Universities in the World 2026
1. University of Oxford - 98.2
Since 2017, the University of Oxford has consistently held the number one position in top universities in the world rankings. This achievement makes Oxford the only university to have maintained this position in all 21 editions of the annual rankings. Its success is bolstered by rigorous efforts to strengthen performance across key indicators, along with a strong focus and commitment to excellence on the international stage.
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - 97.7
Despite the declining trends among the US universities, MIT continues to lead in innovation and secures the second spot in the 2026 rankings. With a perfect score in industry outreach, the institution stands out for its strong collaborations with industry partners and its ability to translate research into real-world impact.
3. Princeton University - 97.2
Best known for its exceptional teaching and research quality, Princeton University has firmly secured its place among the top universities in the world. It successfully maintains its reputation as one of the leading Ivy League institutions. With its strong academic foundation and global recognition, Princeton’s appeal to international students is unlikely to fade in the years ahead.
4. University of Cambridge - 97.2
The University of Cambridge has clinched a high ranking, representing exactly what an entry from the best universities in Europe can showcase on the global educational stage. The institution earned a near-perfect score in the research environment category, falling short by just a single point. This reflects Cambridge's long-standing commitment to providing an environment where both students and researchers can truly flourish.
5. Harvard University - 97.1
Another institution that performed exceptionally well in the research environment is Harvard University. Renowned for its world-class contributions to the humanities and social sciences, Harvard continues to be a global academic powerhouse. It also earns impressive scores in teaching and research quality—95.9 and 98.9, respectively.
6. Stanford University - 97.1
Stanford University has long been recognized as one of the best computer science universities. It excels in industry outreach and research quality, earning a perfect and near-perfect score, respectively. These achievements reflect Stanford’s strong ties to innovation and its deep-rooted connection with Silicon Valley and global industry leaders.
7. California Institute of Technology - 96.3
Caltech punches above its weight with a smaller student body yet world-leading research outputs, particularly in science and engineering. Its high scores in industry outreach and research environments affirm its elite status. Even more impressively, most of Caltech’s alumni are highly sought after in STEM industries, often securing high-level positions soon after graduation.
8. Imperial College London - 94.7
Imperial College London continues to uphold its reputation as one of the UK’s leading STEM-focused institutions. With high scores in both international outlook and research quality, it stands out among the top 12% of UK universities that have shown measurable improvement in the ranking.
9. University of California, Berkeley - 94.4
UC Berkeley landed in ninth place, dropping one spot from the previous year’s edition. Regardless, it continues to be recognized as the best public university in the US. A powerhouse across diverse disciplines, UC Berkeley welcomes students pursuing fields ranging from engineering and law to psychology and mathematics.
10. Yale University - 94.1
Rounding out the list, Yale holds steady at 10th place in the ranking of the best universities in the world. It scored high in the teaching and research environment, offering a setting where students and scholars thrive. Its ability to attract top talent from around the world further reinforces its global standing.
As these leading institutions continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in innovation and education, they set the standard for universities worldwide. Their commitment to excellence shapes the future of academia, as well as drives progress across all fields of society.
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