The top 30 universities in the world

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

It's no secret that some universities outperform others. According to The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 30 top colleges stand out around the world. The scores included in this gallery considered research-intensive universities globally across five main pillars: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry impact, using 18 weighted performance indicators.

Curious about who took the top spot? Click through now to find out.

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

The Nanyang Technological University kicks off the list with an overall score of 81.8 t. It's a public university with a focus on research. This Singapore-based university is often considered one of the world's most beautiful. 

29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

The University of Edinburgh scored 82.5 overall. Here students can take advantage of the Go Abroad Fund which helps students have short-term international experiences each year. 

28. The University of Tokyo - Japan

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

The University of Tokyo scored 83.3 overall and was founded in 1877. They have been recognized as recipients of multiple Nobel Prizes.

26. Technical University of Munich - Germany

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

The Technical University of Munich scored 83.5 overall and is considered an entreprenurially-spirited university. The heart of the university is its people.

24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) scored 85.7 overall. The university was established in 1900 and originally named the Carnegie Technical Schools until 1912. CMU encourages faculty and students to collaborate closely to address different scholarly challenges.

22. UCL - United Kingdom

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

UCL in the United Kingdom scored 87.7 overall. It is located in the heart of London and is comprised of 11 faculties including arts and humanities and brain science. Over the years, 29 Nobel Prizes have been awarded to UCL students or staff.

20. Cornell University - United States

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

Cornell University scored 89.2 overall. It was founded in 1865 and today is a private Ivy League university. With six locations worldwide, Cornell has a prominent global presence. 

18. Columbia University - United States

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

Columbia University scored 89.8 overall. It was founded in 1754 and over 80 faculty members, adjunct staff, and alumni who attended Columbia University have won a Nobel prize since 1901.

16. Johns Hopkins University - United States

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

Johns Hopkins University scored 90.7 overall. It was founded in 1876 and is a private research university. Johns Hopkins has a presence in more than 150 countries and over 3,000 of their students are international. 

14. The University of Chicago - United States

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

The University of Chicago scored 90.9 overall. Its large campus covers over 210 acres just south of downtown Chicago. The university also boasts satellite campuses and facilities overseas.

12. Tsinghua University - China

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

Tsinghua University was established in 1911 and scored 92.5 overall. It is one of China's most prestigious and influential universities and is surrounded by several historical sites in northwest Beijing.

11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

ETH Zurich scored 93 overall and was established in 1855. Today it is considered one of the most prestigious science and technology universities. 

10. Yale University - United States

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

Yale University scored 94.1 overall. Yale University is an Ivy League research university founded in 1701 as the Collegiate School in Saybrook, Connecticut.

8. University of California, Berkeley - United States

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

University of California, Berkeley came in eighth place with a score of 94.5 overall. Berkley has won an astounding 19 Nobel prizes, most notably in physics, chemistry, and economics.

6. Stanford University - United States

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

Stanford University is located less than an hour's drive from San Francisco, California, and is known for its entrepreneurial spirit. It scored  97.2 overall and boasts one of the largest campuses in the US.

4. Princeton University - United States

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

Princeton University came in with a score of 97.5. Princeton is one of the oldest US universities. It was founded in 1746 as the College of New Jersey and in 1986 it was renamed Princeton University.

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

30. Nanyang Technological University - Singapore, 29. University of Edinburgh - United Kingdom, 28. The University of Tokyo - Japan, 26. Technical University of Munich - Germany, 24. Carnegie Mellon University - United States, 22. UCL - United Kingdom, 20. Cornell University - United States, 18. Columbia University - United States, 16. Johns Hopkins University - United States, 14. The University of Chicago - United States, 12. Tsinghua University - China, 11. ETH Zurich - Switzerland, 10. Yale University - United States, 8. University of California, Berkeley - United States, 6. Stanford University - United States, 4. Princeton University - United States, 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology - United States

MIT scored 98.1 and captured second place on the list. It was established in 1861, and since then, its alumni have made significant discoveries and technological advances including the first chemical synthesis of penicillin. 

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