U.S. higher education is having a tough June measuring up against international counterparts in global rankings following a newly released report that found American universities dropping out of the top 100 most conscientious institutions.
Times Higher Education’s (THE) Impact Rankings 2024 evaluates universities across 17 categories based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Gender equity, clean energy, sustainability and decent economic growth rank among the U.N.’s categories. All 17 are calculated together based on their assigned weight to create one holistic ranking for each institution. More on their methodology here.
U.S. higher education features only four universities in the top 100, three less than last year even though 58 participated in the ranking. Iowa State University, Oklahoma State University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University all fell into the 101 to 200 band, and Penn State (Main Campus) fell out of the top 50. Furthermore, Arizona State University (Tempe) fell three places to ninth.
Australia had the most in the top 10 with four, followed by the U.K. and Canada with two each. The UK, however, had the most universities in the top 100, followed by Canada.
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“We hope this year’s ranking will help showcase and spread good practice and provide the impetus for more American universities to step up next year,” Phil Baty, THE’s global affairs officer, said in a press release.
Despite U.S. higher education performing subpar overall, Florida International University climbed a whopping 87 places to tie for 13. Likewise, Michigan State University tied for 25th, increasing its standing by one place.
Impact Rankings 2024: all US higher education institutions in the overall top 200
Universities were evaluated across their research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.
| Higher education institution | Rank 2024 | Rank 2023 |
| Arizona State University (Tempe) | 9 | 6 |
| Florida International University | =13 | =100 |
| Michigan State University | =25 | =26 |
| Penn State (Main campus) | 51 | =40 |
| Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis | 101–200 | 101–200 |
| Iowa State University | 101–200 | 96 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 101–200 | 101–200 |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | 101–200 | 101–200 |
| Oklahoma State University | 101–200 | =72 |
| University of Minnesota | 101–200 | 101–200 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | 101–200 | =92 |
U.S. universities’ best ranking across individual sustainability goals
- No poverty: Arizona State University (Tempe) – 18
- Zero hunger: Oklahoma State University – 2; Michigan State University – 8; Penn State (Main campus) – 10
- Good health and well-being: University of Buffalo – 38
- Quality education: Arizona State University (Tempe) – band 101-200
- Gender equality: Towson University – 6
- Clean water and sanitation: Arizona State University (Tempe) – joint 15
- Affordable and clean energy: Arizona State University (Tempe) – 74
- Decent work and economic growth: The University of Tennessee-Knoxville – joint 95
- Industry innovation and infrastructure: University of South Florida – joint 44
- Reduced inequalities: Arizona State University (Tempe) – 23
- Sustainable cities and communities: Arizona State University (Tempe) – 2; Michigan State University – joint 5; Florida International University – 8
- Responsible consumption and production: Arizona State University (Tempe) – 33
- Climate action: Arizona State University (Tempe) – 11
- Life below water: Arizona State University (Tempe) – 1; Florida International University – joint 3
- Life on land: Arizona State University (Tempe) – joint 3
- Peace, justice and strong institutions: Arizona State University (Tempe) – 12
- Partnerships for the goals: Florida International University – 22
