Stanford University consistently ranks among the top institutions globally, securing the 6th spot in QS and THE rankings and 4th in U.S. News rankings for 2025.
Stanford also ranks #1 in the AASHE Sustainable Campus Index and #2 in the Campus Race for Zero Waste. While its QS ranking dropped from #3 in 2023 to #6 in 2025, it remains among the highest-ranked institutions globally.
Stanford University World Rankings 2024-25
Stanford University consistently ranks among the top institutions globally, excelling in academics, research, and innovation. Its strong presence across multiple ranking systems reflects its commitment to quality education and impactful research.
The table below presents Stanford’s latest rankings from major global ranking bodies.
Ranking Body
Rankings 2021
Rankings 2022
Rankings 2023
Rankings 2024
Rankings 2025
QS World Rankings
2
3
3
5
6
THE Rankings
2
4
3
2
6
U.S. News Rankings
6
6
3
3
4
The shifting trends in Stanford University's rankings over the years can be illustrated through the following graph:
Stanford University’s rankings have seen fluctuations across major ranking bodies over the past five years. In QS World Rankings, Stanford dropped from #2 in 2021 to #6 in 2025, indicating increased global competition and shifting evaluation metrics.
The decline suggests that other universities may have gained ground in research output, employer reputation, or faculty citations.
In THE Rankings, Stanford's position fluctuated significantly, peaking at #2 in 2021 and 2024 before falling to #6 in 2025. The ranking shifts may be due to changes in research impact scores, faculty hiring, or international collaborations.
A drop from #2 in 2024 to #6 in 2025 highlights the evolving nature of global university assessments.
In U.S. News Rankings, Stanford maintained a consistent #6 ranking in 2021 and 2022, before improving to #3 in 2023 and 2024. However, it dropped to #4 in 2025, signaling minor fluctuations in faculty resources, research output, or student outcomes.
Compared to QS and THE, Stanford's standing in U.S. News remains relatively stable, reflecting its strong academic reputation in the U.S. market.
Subject-wise Rankings of Stanford University Universities
Stanford University consistently ranks among the top institutions globally, with engineering (#2 in QS and THE), business (#2 in QS, #4 in U.S. News), and medicine (#3 in QS, #6 in THE) standing out in key subject rankings.
While Stanford dominates in engineering and business, fields like medicine and arts & humanities remain highly competitive, with slight variations across ranking bodies.
The following section details Stanford’s subject-wise performance in QS, THE, and U.S. News rankings.
QS Rankings
The QS World University Rankings emphasize academic reputation and employer perception, making them a key measure of faculty influence and graduate success. Stanford’s #2 ranking in Engineering reinforces its leadership in technology and research.
The table below details Stanford’s latest subject-wise performance in QS rankings.
Subject
Rankings 2025
Arts & Humanities
4
Business
2
Engineering
2
Medicine
3
THE (Times Higher Education) Rankings
The Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings focus on teaching quality, research impact, and industry collaboration. Stanford’s top placement in Engineering highlights its role in driving innovation, while shifts in Medicine and Business rankings suggest increased global competition.
The table below presents Stanford’s subject-specific performance in THE rankings.
Subject
Rankings 2025
Arts & Humanities
4
Business
3
Engineering
2
Medicine
6
U.S. News Rankings
The U.S. News Rankings prioritize faculty research impact and academic excellence, often favoring U.S. institutions. Stanford’s strong standing in Business reflects its influence in management education, while its Engineering ranking sees competitive shifts.
The table below highlights Stanford’s latest subject-specific standings in U.S. News rankings.
Subject
Rankings 2025
Arts & Humanities
9
Business
4
Engineering
14
Medicine
5
Stanford University’s impressive rankings across various disciplines highlight its commitment to academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and industry relevance.
Beyond these recognitions, its rankings in sustainability, diversity, and community engagement further reflect its broad impact.
Miscellaneous Ranking 2025
Stanford University’s influence extends beyond traditional academic rankings, earning top positions in sustainability, diversity, and community engagement. These rankings highlight the university’s dedication to fostering an inclusive environment and advancing global initiatives.
The table below presents Stanford’s latest standings in these critical areas.
Ranking Agency
Ranking Description
Ranking 2025
Diversity & Affordability- AASHE Sustainable Campus Index
Recognizes institutions excelling in diversity and affordability within sustainability efforts.
1
Sustainability Magazine Rankings
Highlights top institutions leading in sustainability practices and initiatives.
1
Campus Race for Zero Waste 2024
Evaluates colleges based on waste reduction and recycling efforts.
2
Stanford University’s 1st place ranking in the AASHE Sustainable Campus Index highlights its leadership in promoting diversity, affordability, and sustainability.
In sustainability efforts, Stanford secured the top position in 2024, showcasing its carbon neutrality initiatives, renewable energy projects, and cutting-edge environmental research.
Stanford’s 2nd place ranking in the Campus Race for Zero Waste reflects its dedication to waste reduction, composting, and resource management programs.
Beyond its rankings, Stanford’s campuses play a crucial role in fostering innovation, collaboration, and student success. Let’s explore them!
Stanford University: Excellence and Achievements
Stanford University stands as a hub of academic, cultural, and creative excellence. Its achievements span multiple disciplines, recognizing its contributions to education, research, diversity, and community service. These honors highlight the university’s commitment to fostering talent and innovation.
The following sections showcase Stanford’s distinguished recognition across academics, culture, and community engagement.
Academic Recognitions
Stanford University has received numerous academic recognitions across various disciplines. Below is a selection of notable honors:
Category
Recognition
Undergraduate Awards
32 students received the 2023 Firestone and Golden Medals for research and creative projects.
University Awards
Cuthbertson Award honors exceptional contributions to Stanford’s mission.
Faculty Honors
Five received Guggenheim Fellowships for research excellence.
Sustainability
Platinum rating (2022) - STARS, top 11 globally for sustainability.
Cultural Recognitions
Stanford University has received several cultural recognitions that highlight its commitment to diversity, the arts, and literature. Here are the notable honors.
Category
Recognition
Diversity and Inclusion
President's Awards recognizes efforts in campus diversity.
Literary Contributions
Stanford University Press published Bancroft & National Jewish Book Award winners.
Fulbright Scholarships
Twenty-eight Stanford students and alumni received Fulbright Scholarships for global study.
Student Arts Recognition
Murphy Award and Cadogan Scholarships awarded to top visual artists.
Community & Creative Excellence
Stanford University and its students have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to community service and creative excellence. Here are the achievements:
Category
Recognition
Community Service
The James W. Lyons Award honors exceptional student contributions.
Creative Writing
The Boothe Prize recognizes top essays in writing & rhetoric.
Community Engagement
The Kennedy-Diamond Award honors graduate research & teaching impact.
Creative Arts
The Firestone and Golden Medals awarded for top research projects.
Stanford University’s numerous achievements in academics, culture, and community service solidify its reputation as a leader in higher education.
Stanford University: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate
Stanford University maintains an overall acceptance rate of approximately 4%, reflecting its highly selective admissions process.
The table below presents select programs, their QS World Rankings, and acceptance rates:
Program
QS World Ranking 2025
Acceptance Rate
Computer Science
2nd
5.5%
Medicine
3rd
2.2%
Law
2nd
9.72%
Engineering
2nd
5.5%
These rates highlight the selectivity of Stanford's top-ranked programs, reflecting the university's commitment to academic excellence.
Ranking Bodies Methodologies
Let’s check how the top-ranking bodies like QS World Rankings, THE rankings, and U.S. News and World Rankings evaluate the top universities and rank them. The following sections explain the methodologies in detail.
QS World Rankings
The QS World University Rankings are widely recognized for assessing universities based on academic reputation, employer perception, and research contributions.
With a strong emphasis on global engagement and employability, these rankings help students identify institutions with a balance of prestige and career prospects.
The table below details the key criteria used in QS evaluations.
Focus Area
Indicators
Weightage
Research and Discovery
Academic Reputation
30%
Citations per Faculty
20%
Employability and Outcomes
Employer Reputation
15%
Employment Outcomes
5%
Global Engagement
International Faculty Ratio
5%
International Research Network
5%
International Student Ratio
5%
International Student Diversity
0%
Learning Experience
Faculty Student Ratio
10%
Sustainability
Sustainability
5%
Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings
The Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings focus on research intensity, teaching environment, and global influence. These rankings highlight institutions excelling in faculty research, industry partnerships, and international collaboration.
THE’s methodology is particularly relevant for students looking for academically rigorous and research-driven universities.
The table below outlines its key ranking factors.
Focus Area
Indicators
Weightage
Teaching
Teaching Reputation
15%
Staff-to-student ratio
4.5%
Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio
2%
Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio
5.5%
Institutional income
2.5%
Research Environment
Research reputation
18%
Research income
5.5%
Research productivity
5.5%
Research Quality
Citation impact
15%
Research strength
5%
Research excellence
5%
Research influence
5%
International Outlook
Proportion of international students
2.5%
Proportion of international staff
2.5%
International collaboration
2.5%
Industry
Industry income
2%
Patents
2%
U.S. News and World Report Rankings
The U.S. News & World Report Rankings provide a data-driven evaluation of universities, prioritizing student success, faculty resources, and institutional reputation.
Unlike QS and THE, these rankings heavily consider graduation rates, financial resources, and alumni outcomes, making them especially useful for students assessing long-term career potential.
The table below breaks down the U.S. News ranking methodology.
Focus Indicators
Weightage
Graduation Rates
16%
First-year retention rates
5%
Graduation rate performance
10%
Pell graduation rates
5.5%
Pell graduation performance
5.5%
College grads earning more than a high school grad
5%
Borrower debt
5%
Peer assessment
20%
Financial resources
8%
Faculty salaries
8%
Full-time faculty
3%
Student-faculty ratio
4%
Standardized tests
5%
Stanford’s strong performance across ranking methodologies highlights its academic excellence, research impact, and global reputation.
Conclusion
Stanford University remains among the top institutions globally, ranking 6th in QS and THE World Rankings 2025 and 4th in U.S. News. It holds #2 in Engineering (QS & THE), #2 inBusiness (QS), and #3 in Medicine (QS).
Stanford is also #1 in the AASHE Sustainable Campus Index and #2 in the Campus Race for Zero Waste. Despite minor ranking shifts, Stanford continues to excel in academic reputation, research output, and global impact.
Which institution better supports a career in Computer science: MIT or Stanford?
Both Stanford & MIT rank #1 in Computer Science according to U.S. News. MIT’s faculty expertise, research output, and global reputation make it the stronger choice for a career in computer science.
Which is better, an MBA from Harvard or an MBA from Stanford?
Harvard and Stanford both offer elite MBA programs. Stanford ranks higher (#1) in QS Global MBA rankings 2025, while Havvard is at #3. However, In the 2025 FT MBA Rankings, European schools surpassed both, increasing competition among top U.S. business schools.
Should I pursue Engineering from Stanford or the University of California, Berkeley?
Stanford ranks 2nd in the QS Engineering Rankings 2025, while the University of California, Berkeley is in 5th place. Stanford provides broader research opportunities, strong faculty, and innovation-driven learning. Georgia Tech excels in applied engineering and industry connections, making it competitive in specific engineering fields.
Which aligns better with my career goals in Social Sciences: Stanford or Caltech?
Stanford ranks 3rd in THE Rankings 2025 for Social Science, while Caltech is 39th. Stanford's strong emphasis on business, social sciences, and engineering makes it more suitable for Social Sciences careers. Caltech, known for STEM fields, lacks a dedicated social sciences focus, limiting opportunities in this domain.
How does Stanford perform in The Complete University Guide Rankings in 2025?
The Complete University Guide mainly ranks UK institutions, so Stanford is not listed. However, in QS 2025, Stanford ranks 6th globally, maintaining its reputation in research, faculty citations, and employer perception across various academic disciplines.
Should I choose Purdue or Stanford for arts and humanities?
Stanford ranks 4th in QS Arts & Humanities Rankings 2025, while Purdue is not in the top 25. Stanford’s faculty, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary approach make it the superior choice for students pursuing humanities-related careers.
Is a Law degree from Stanford equally good as Harvard’s?
Harvard Law ranks #2 in U.S. News rankings, while Stanford Law consistently places in the top 3 (#1 in 2025). Harvard’s global prestige is unmatched, but Stanford offers a more flexible, innovation-focused curriculum, making both excellent choices depending on career goals.
Has Stanford’s ranking improved over time globally?
Stanford’s rankings have fluctuated. It ranked 2nd in QS 2021, dropped to 5th in 2024, and 6th in 2025. In THE rankings, it fell from 2nd in 2024 to 6th in 2025 due to evolving evaluation criteria.
For a future in medicine, should I choose the University of Pennsylvania or Stanford?
Stanford ranks 6th in the US News Medicine Rankings 2025, while the University of Pennsylvania is 10th. Both have excellent research programs, but Stanford’s medical technology advancements and interdisciplinary opportunities give it an edge in medical innovation.
Which is more prestigious for a career in physical sciences: Stanford or University of Washington?
Stanford is among the top-ranked institutions in physical sciences (#2 in 2025), whereas the University of Washington ranks lower. Stanford’s research funding, faculty reputation, and strong industry collaborations make it the better choice for careers in physical sciences.
Is Stanford or the University of Oxford better in academic reputation?
Oxford ranks 3rd, and Stanford ranks 6th in QS 2025. Oxford excels in humanities and social sciences, while Stanford is stronger in STEM and business. Both are globally prestigious, but subject rankings and career goals should guide your decision.
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