Virginia Tech continues strong showing in Times Higher Education World University Rankings
For the sixth consecutive year, Virginia Tech has been ranked in the 251-300 range overall in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Virginia Tech moved up one place to No. 277 overall, and the university also moved up one place to No. 62 among U.S. institutions in the annual rankings, which were released Wednesday.
The ranking evaluates universities on a global scale. This year, Virginia Tech was assessed among 2,297 universities across 118 countries. Maintaining a position in the 251-300 range for six consecutive years is particularly notable as the number of universities included in the ranking continues to grow.
Virginia Tech saw improvements in its reputational scores for both teaching and research, reflecting increased recognition of the university’s educational environment and research contributions. These gains complement Virginia Tech’s continued strength in research and reinforce the university’s growing visibility among the global academic community.
The methodology for the ranking, which reflects the outputs of the diverse range of research-intensive universities, considers 18 indicators across five key pillars:
- Teaching: The learning environment
- Research environment: Volume, income, and reputation
- Research quality: Citation impact, research strength, research excellence, and research influence
- International outlook: Staff, students, and research
- Industry: Income and patents
Research quality and research environment account for 60 percent of a university’s overall score. Virginia Tech’s highest ranked pillar was research environment, which factors in research productivity, research income, and research reputation. The university’s score in this pillar jumped 50 spots to No. 200.
For fiscal year 2025, Virginia Tech reported a record $493.9 million in extramural research expenditures.
Important research projects currently ongoing at Virginia Tech include integrating satellite data to help water managers ensure safe drinking water in the Roanoke region; using soundwaves to treat cancers; using chemistry to find flexible materials for sustainable packaging; and focusing on mining education and critical minerals research to enhance national security.
Virginia Tech has chosen the two Times Higher Education rankings – the World University rankings and the Impact rankings – as proxies to assess strategic progress related to the university’s land-grant mission.
