246 Arab Universities Are Featured in QS’s 2025 Regional Ranking
In the largest list so far, 246 Arab universities across 20 countries are compared in the 2025 edition of the QS Arab Region University Rankings, 23 universities more than last year.
The eleventh edition of the regional rankings, published today by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a British higher-education analytics company, assessed institutions based on 10 indicators. The most heavily weighted factors in QS’s methodology are academic reputation (30%), based on a global survey of academics, and employer reputation (20%), based on another global survey that asks employers to identify the institutions they think are producing top graduates. Other indicators include measures of research prowess, teaching resources, internationalisation, and web impact.
Among the Arab region’s top 20 universities, three maintained their position since last year, four improved their ranking, nine saw a decline, and four were included in the top 20 list for first time.
For the second consecutive year, Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) was rated the region’s top university. Qatar University moved up to second place, rising from third, while Saudi Arabia’s King Saud University fell to third after previously holding second place. Rounding out the top five are the United Arab Emirates’ Khalifa University of Science and Technology (4th) and the United Arab Emirates University (5th).
Also in the top 10 are the American University of Beirut (6th), Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz University (7th), Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University (8th), the University of Jordan (9th), and the American University of Sharjah (10th), in the United Arab Emirates.
Ranking in the next 10 places were Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid University (11th), Abu Dhabi University (12th), the American University in Cairo (13th), Saudi Arabia’s Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (14th) and Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University (15th), Jordan University of Science and Technology (16th), the U.A.E.’s Ajman University (17th), Qatar’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University (18th), Saudi Arabia’s Umm Al-Qura University (19th), and the U.A.E.’s Zayed University (20th).
Overall, Egypt remains the most represented country in the Arab Region rankings with 36 universities, the same as last year. Saudi Arabia follows with 34 universities, while Iraq has increased its presence to 32, up from 24 the previous year.
“The Arab region is steadily enhancing its academic standing, driven by a flourishing network of international partnerships and increasingly impactful research that boosts its global reputation,” Ben Sowter, senior vice president of QS Quacquarelli Symonds, said in a news release.
He added: “This year’s rankings feature a record number of Arabic universities, underscoring the growing competition for academic excellence. These rankings provide prospective students, faculty, and policymakers with a detailed, data-driven perspective to inform decisions and benchmark success.”
Saudi Arabia
In this year’s classification, Saudi Arabia maintains its stronghold in the upper tier, boasting three institutions among the top ten universities in the region and 25 in the top 100, down from 29 last year.
Besides the seven in the top 20, five other Saudi universities were ranked in the top 50: Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (30th), King Faisal University (34th), Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (35th), Qassim University (37th), and Jouf University (40th).
Following them were Northern Borders University and Prince Sultan University, both ranked 57th, the University of Business and Technology at 67th, and Alfaisal University at 71st. Taif University secured the 76th position, while Jazan University ranked 80th. Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University and the University of Hail both placed 82nd, followed by Effat University at 84th, the University of Bisha at 88th, the University of Tabuk at 89th, Majmaah University at 93rd, and Taibah University at 98th.
Other Saudi institutions ranked this year included the Saudi Electronic University (in a band ranked 101–110), Najran University, Al Baha University, and the University of Jeddah (121–130). The Islamic University of Madinah placed in the 131–140 range, while Shaqra University and the University of Hafr Albatin were both grouped in the 151–160 range. Additionally, Dar Al Uloom University made its debut ranking (191–200), and Al-Yamamah University was placed in the 201–250 category.
In the academic reputation indicator, three Saudi institutions ranked in the top five: King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in first place with a score of 100, KFUPM in third place with a score of 99.4, and King Saud University (KSU) fourth with a score of 99.3. The region’s top scores for employer reputation also belong to Saudi universities, with KFUPM achieving a score of 100 and KAU scoring 99.9.
In the faculty-to-student ratio indicator, two Saudi universities ranked in the top five: Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in first place with a score of 100, and KFUPM in second place with a score of 99.8.
In the research-related metrics, three Saudi universities led the region in international research network: King Saud University (KSU) with a score of 100, King Abdulaziz University (KAU) at 99.8, and Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University at 99.4. Additionally, three universities excelled in the citations per paper indicator: Al-Yamamah University (2nd), KAU (4th), and KFUPM (5th). Furthermore, three institutions ranked among the top five in the papers per faculty indicator: KFUPM (1st), Prince Sultan University (4th), and KSU (5th).
Two Saudi universities were among the 16 Arab institutions that achieved a score of 100 in the staff with Ph.D. indicator: King Khalid University and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University.
Out of 21 Arab institutions that scored 100 in the international faculty ratio indicator, all located in the Arabian Peninsula, two were Saudi: Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University and Effat University. Additionally, the Islamic University of Madinah achieved the same score in the international student ratio indicator.
Two Saudi universities ranked among the region’s top five in web impact: King Saud University, which tied for first place, and King Abdulaziz University, which placed fifth.
Egypt
Egypt’s leading public institution, Cairo University, ranked 21st overall, achieved the region’s second-highest score on the academic reputation metric, surpassed only by King Abdulaziz University (KAU).
This year, seven Egyptian universities ranked in the top 50, with only one (AUC) in the top 20, down from three last year. Besides AUC and Cairo University, others in the top 50 are Ain Shams University (28th), Alexandria University (32nd), Mansoura University (38th), Al-Azhar University (47th), and Future University in Egypt (50th).
Seven additional Egyptian universities were included in the top 100. Assiut University and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport ranked in the 51–60 band, followed by Helwan University and Zagazig University (61–70), Tanta University (71–80), and the German University in Cairo and the British University in Egypt (81–90).
Other Egyptian universities ranked in the top 150 included Suez Canal University and Beni-Suef University, both in the 101 to 110 group; Benha University, which fell in the 111–120 range; and Kafrelsheikh University and Minia University, which ranked 121–130. Additionally, Fayoum University, Menoufia University, October University for Modern Sciences and Arts (MSA), and Aswan University were positioned in the 131–150 range.
Damietta University, Delta University for Science & Technology, Nile University, and South Valley University were ranked in the 151–160 group, followed by Port Said University and the University of Sadat City (161–170); Misr International University and October 6 University (171–180) MISR University for Science & Technology, Sohag University, and Suez University (181–190); . Nahda University (191–200); and Pharos University in Alexandria (201–250).
Cairo University ranked 5th regionally in both the employer reputation metric, with a score of 99.1, and international research network, with a score of 98.7. Additionally, two Egyptian universities were recognised among the region’s top 5 for web impact: Alexandria University (tied for 1st) and AUC (4th).
Iraq: 3rd-Most Represented Country
This year, 32 Iraqi universities made the list, an increase from 24 last year. The University of Baghdad retains its position as Iraq’s top-ranked university and is the only Iraqi institution in the region’s top 50, now ranking 38th, up from 43rd in the 2024 rankings.
Six additional Iraqi institutions were included in the top 100: Mustansiriya University (ranked 61–70); the University of Basrah, Al Nahrain University, and the University of Kufa (71–80); the University of Babylon (81–90); and the University of Technology–Iraq (91–100).
Nine more Iraqi universities made it to the top 150 this year, including two that were newly ranked. These include Tishk International University, the University of Anbar, the University of Kerbala, the University of Sulaimani, and the University of Mosul (ranked 111–120); Al Furat Al Awsat Technical University and Soran University (121–130); and Kurdistan’s University of Duhok and Salahaddin University–Erbil (131–150).
Following were Ninevah University (151–160), Tikrit University and the University of Diyala (171–180); the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr and the University of Alqadisiyah (181–190), and the Islamic University College in Najaf and Wasit University (191–200). Additionally, nine Iraqi institutions were included in the 201–250 range: Al Iraqia University, Al Muthanna University, BMU Lebanese French University Iraq, the Middle Technical University, the Northern Technical University, the Southern Technical University, the University of Fallujah, the University of Kirkuk, and the University of Thi-Qar.
Seven of the ranked Iraqi universities are located in Iraqi Kurdistan: Tishk International University, the University of Sulaimani, Soran University, the University of Duhok, Salahaddin University–Erbil, the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr, and BMU Lebanese French University in Iraq.
Two Iraqi universities ranked in the top five for the faculty-to-student ratio indicator: Al Furat Al Awsat Technical University secured the first position, while Mustansiriyah University came in fifth.
Lebanon: 8 Institutions in Top 50
Despite the country’s severe economic crisis, 14 Lebanese institutions made it into this year’s ranking. The American University of Beirut, in sixth place, remains Lebanon’s sole representative in the top 20, while the Lebanese University, the only public higher education institution in the country, dropped to 26th place, from 14th last year. Six other Lebanese universities were included in the region’s top 50: Beirut Arab University (29th), Lebanese American University (31st), Islamic University of Lebanon (41st), and Saint Joseph University of Beirut (48th).
Other Lebanese institutions ranked this year include Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (56th), the University of Balamand (65th), and Notre Dame University–Louaize, which fell to the band ranked 101–110 from its previous position at 71–80. Also ranked are the American University of Science and Technology (171–180), Jinan University (181–190), Université Libanaise Internationale (191–200), and Rafik Hariri University and Université Antonine, both in the group ranked 201–250.
The Lebanese University achieved a notable fifth place regionally in academic reputation, scoring 98.4. The University of Balamand ranked third in the faculty-to-student ratio indicator with a score of 99.6. Additionally, the newly ranked Jinan University scored a perfect 100 in the international student ratio indicator. The American University of Beirut shared the third position in the region for web impact.
Jordan
Jordan boasts 24 ranked universities, an increase of one from the previous year. Following its two institutions in the top 20—the University of Jordan and Jordan University of Science and Technology—four additional universities made it into the top 50: Yarmouk University (42nd), Al-Ahliyya Amman University (43rd), Princess Sumaya University for Technology (46th), and the Applied Science Private University–Jordan (48th).
Four additional Jordanian universities secured spots in the top 100: the German Jordanian University, Hashemite University, and Mutah University (51–60), and Al-Balqa Applied University (81–90).
Other universities in the top 150 include Al-Zaytoonah University and Amman Arab University (101–110); Middle East University Jordan and Philadelphia University (111–120); Al Albayt University (121–130); and Al Hussein bin Talal University, the University of Petra, and Jadara University, all ranked between 131 and 150.
Isra University–Jordan, Tafila Technical University, and Zarqa University were ranked between 161 and 170. The World Islamic Sciences and Education University fell within the 191–200 range, while Irbid National University and the newly ranked Jerash Private University were both placed in the 201–250 group.
The University of Jordan ranked third in employer reputation with a score of 99.6. Amman Arab University shared the top spot in the citations per paper indicator. Additionally, Mutah University and Amman Arab University, achieved a score of 100 in the staff with Ph.D. indicator, and Al-Ahliyya Amman University scored 100 in the international students ratio indicator.
Jordan leads the region in online presence, with three of its universities occupying the top three spots in web impact: Middle East University Jordan, University of Jordan, and Jordan University of Science & Technology, respectively.
United Arab Emirates
The region’s top 20 universities this year includes six Emirati institutions: Khalifa University of Science and Technology, United Arab Emirates University, the American University of Sharjah, Abu Dhabi University, Ajman University, and Zayed University.
Four other universities from the Emirates made it into the top 50: University of Sharjah (22nd), Canadian University in Dubai (24th), Al Ain University (27th), and American University in Dubai (45th).
Other ranked universities in the Emirates, with all but one in the top 100, included the American University of Ras Al-Khaimah and the British University in Dubai (61–70), the University of Dubai (91–100), and the American University in the Emirates (101–110).
In the citations per paper indicator, the American University of Ras Al Khaimah achieved a co-ranking of first regionally with a score of 100. Additionally, three Emirati institutions ranked among the top five in the papers per faculty indicator: Khalifa University of Science and Technology (1st), the British University in Dubai (2nd), and the University of Sharjah (3rd).
Three additional institutions achieved a score of 100 in the staff with Ph.D. indicator: Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Al Ain University, and the British University in Dubai.
The U.A.E. shines as the region’s leader in internationalisation, with 14 of the 21 institutions that scored 100 in this category. These universities are: Khalifa University of Science and Technology, United Arab Emirates University, the American University of Sharjah, Abu Dhabi University, Ajman University, Zayed University, the University of Sharjah, Canadian University Dubai, Al Ain University, the American University in Dubai, the American University of Ras Al Khaimah, the British University in Dubai, the University of Dubai, and the American University in the Emirates.
Likewise, eight Emirati institutions ranked among the top 13 in the region, achieving a score of 100 in the international students ratio indicator. They are: the American University of Sharjah, Ajman University, the University of Sharjah, Canadian University Dubai, Al Ain University, the American University in Dubai, the American University of Ras Al Khaimah, and the British University in Dubai.
Other Gulf Countries
Oman had seven institutions in the ranking, including one in the top 10: Sultan Qaboos University secured the eighth spot in the region, reclaiming its 2023 ranking.
Also in the top 100 were the University of Nizwa (61–70), Dhofar University (81–90), and Sohar University (91–100). The National University of Science and Technology and the German University of Technology in Oman (GUTECH) both were in the band ranked 111–120), and A’Sharqiyah University was in the 161–170 group.
Although only two Qatari universities made the rankings, but both excelled. Qatar University secured second place overall, driven by its strong research collaboration, output, and impact. Hamad Bin Khalifa University maintained its spot in the top 20, ranking 18th, down from 13th last year, and stands as the Arab region’s highest-rated institution in research, staff expertise, and teaching resources.
Qatar University ranked fourth regionally in both employer reputation (99.4) and international research network (99.3). Hamad Bin Khalifa University shared the top spot in the faculty to student ratio and papers per faculty indicators. Additionally, it scored 100 in the staff with Ph.D., international faculty ratio, and international students ratio indicators.
Both Qatari universities ranked among the region’s top five in citations per paper, with Hamad Bin Khalifa University placing third and Qatar University fourth.
Bahrain had five ranked universities this year, maintaining two in the top 50, as in 2024. These include Applied Science University–Bahrain (25th) and Ahlia University (33rd). Additionally, Arabian Gulf University and the University of Bahrain were ranked in the 71–80 group, while the Royal University for Women, a new entrant, ranked in the 201–250 group.
In the faculty-to-student ratio indicator, Arabian Gulf University ranked third regionally with a score of 99.6, while also achieving a perfect score of 100 in the international students’ ratio indicator.
Kuwait had four ranked universities this year: the American University of the Middle East, which climbed to 23rd place from 25th; the Gulf University for Science and Technology, rising to 36th from 46th; Kuwait University, ranked 51st; and the Arab Open University–Kuwait, in the 171–180 range.
Five Gulf universities achieved a perfect score of 100 in the international faculty ratio indicator: Kuwait’s American University of the Middle East and Gulf University for Science and Technology, Bahrain’s Applied Science University, and Oman’s Dhofar University.
Additionally, Bahrain’s Applied Science University, Kuwait University, and Oman’s Dhofar University were among the region’s top 16 institutions in the staff with Ph.D. indicator, all scoring 100.
The Maghreb
As in 2024, five out of Tunisia’s nine ranked universities were in the top 100. These include the University of Tunis El Manar (44th), the University of Sfax (61–70), and the University of Monastir, the University of Carthage, and the University of Sousse, all in the 91–100 group. The other ranked institutions were the University of Tunis (101–110), Manouba University (141–150), the University of Jendouba (171–180), and the University of Gabès (181–190).
Among the ten ranked Moroccan universities, only one achieved a position in the top 100: Mohammed V University of Rabat, which is ranked 81–90. The country had two institutions in the top 100 in the previous year.
Other Moroccan universities in this year’s rankings include Cadi Ayyad University (101–110), and the International University of Rabat, and the University of Sidi Mohamed ben Abdellah (121–130). Additionally, Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane and Hassan II University of Casablanca are ranked 131–140, followed by Ibn Tofail University (141–150), Mohamed I University (191–200), and Abdelmalek Essaadi University and Sultan Moulay Slimane University (201–250).
The University of Tunis El Manar was ranked among the top 16 institutions in the staff with Ph.D. indicator, alongside four Moroccan universities: Mohammed V University of Rabat, the International University of Rabat, Ibn Tofail University, and Sultan Moulay Slimane University.
Algeria had 17 ranked universities this year, an increase of three from the previous year. Among them, two institutions were placed in the 131–150 range: the University of Abou Bekr Belkaïd–Tlemcen and 8 May 1945 University of Guelma.
Other Algerian institutions in the top 200 this year were Ferhat Abbas Setif University 1 and the University of Sciences and Technology–Houari Boumediene (151–160); the University of Badji Mokhtar–Annaba and Freres Mentouri University in Constantine (161–170); the University of Science and Technology of Oran–Mohamed Boudiaf and Djillali Liabes University (171–180); the University of M’Sila (181–190); and the University of Bejaia and the University of Larbi Ben Mhidi–Oum El Bouaghi (191–200).
Additionally, six universities were ranked in the 201–250 range: the University of Amar Telidji–Laghouat, the newly ranked University of Batna, the University of Oran, the University of M’Hamed Bougara Boumerdes, and new entrants the University of Mouloud Maameri-Tizi Ouzou and the University of Saad Dahlab–Blida 1.
Libya had seven ranked institutions this year, an increase of one from the previous year. The University of Tripoli was Libya’s top-rated institution, in the 141–150 group, followed by the University of Benghazi at 161–170. The newly entered University of Elmergib ranked 171–180, while another new entrant, Misurata University, in the 201–250 category, along with Omar Al Mukhtar University, Sebha University, and the University of Zawia.
Other African Countries
Sudan, where civil war and political stability have taken a toll on universities, nevertheless had nine ranked universities this year, with three new additions. The University of Khartoum was ranked in the 101–110 grouping, while Sudan University of Science and Technology was at 161–170. Other institutions, including Al Neelain University, Alzaiem Alazhari University, Kassala University, the National University in Sudan, the University of Bahri, the University of Gezira, and the University of Nyala, are all ranked in the 201–250 category.
This year marked the debut of two Arab African countries in the rankings, with each having one university represented: Djibouti’s University of Djibouti and Mauritania’s University of Nouakchott, both ranked in the 201–250 grouping.
Two other Arab African countries were not represented on QS’s list this year: Comoros and Somalia.
Conflict Zones: Palestine, Syria, and Yemen
Despite the ongoing war and destruction of all universities in Gaza, as well as academic disruptions in the West Bank, four of Palestine’s eleven ranked universities made it into the top 100: Al-Quds University, near Jerusalem (51–60); An-Najah National University (61–70) and Birzeit University (71–80), in the West Bank; and the heavily bombed Islamic University of Gaza (91–100).
The remaining seven ranked Palestinian institutions included Palestine Technical University–Kadoorie (111–120), Arab American University in Jenin (131–140), Palestine Polytechnic University (151–160), Al-Azhar University of Gaza (171–180), Bethlehem University (181–190), and Al-Aqsa University and Hebron University (201–250).
Syria’s oldest institution, Damascus University, was ranked in the 141–150 grouping, while both Tishreen University, a new entrant, and the University of Aleppo placed in the 201–250 category.
Yemen now has six ranked universities, including two new additions: the University of Science and Technology in Sana’a, which is ranked 191–200, and Hadhramout University (201–250). Also in the 201–250 category are Sana’a University, Thamar University, the University of Aden, and the University of Ibb.