Penn State Climbs in Latest Times Higher Education Global Rankings

Penn State climbed seven spots to No. 101 worldwide in the 2027 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, released on Tuesday. 

The ranking places Penn State in the top 5% of the 2,297 universities included this year. The university also ranked No. 18 among U.S. public universities and No. 38 among all U.S. universities. 

Penn State remains the highest-ranked public university in Pennsylvania, according to the university. The new ranking marks an improvement from 2026, when Penn State was No. 108 worldwide and tied for No. 39 among U.S. universities. It also moved from a tie for No. 17 to No. 18 among U.S. public universities. 

Times Higher Education evaluates research-focused universities using measures covering teaching, research, industry connections and international activity. Its 2027 rankings use 18 performance indicators grouped into five areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry. 

Penn State’s strongest area in the latest ranking was its research environment, which ranked No. 69 worldwide. The university reported $1.44 billion in annual research expenditures.

Its teaching category ranked No. 100 globally. 

The ranking comes as Penn State continues to place within the top 100 worldwide in several major university rankings. It is No. 92 globally in the 2027 QS World University Rankings and tied for No. 92 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-27 Best Global Universities ranking. The Center for World University Rankings placed Penn State No. 61 worldwide in its 2026 rankings. 

Jody Pritt, interim vice provost for Penn State Global, said the latest ranking reflects the work of the university’s students, faculty and staff. 

“I am proud of our students, faculty and staff, who continue to make Penn State one of the best institutions in the world,” Pritt said in a statement. “At a time when national and international institutions are competing for excellence, Penn State continues to produce world-class education, research and service.”

The Times Higher Education ranking also points to Penn State research in areas ranging from climate and water resources to artificial intelligence and materials science. 

Among its recent work, Penn State researchers have developed methods to monitor thawing permafrost in Alaska, studied the effects of drought and expanded research partnerships in artificial intelligence. Those projects are part of the research activity that factors into the university’s standing in the Times Higher Education rankings. 

The 2027 Times Higher Education rankings were released on Tuesday and include 2,297 universities worldwide. Penn State’s University Park campus is listed as “Penn State (Main campus)” in the Times Higher Education database.