The ranking of the Best Universities in Italy according to CWUR

The Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) has published the updated ranking of the best universities in the world for 2024. Italian universities recorded a significant decline, mainly due to the decrease in investment in research.

The Situation of Italian Universities

Positions in the Ranking

In the new ranking, Italian universities show a decline in their global competitiveness. In particular, the Sapienza University of Rome fell to 124th place, while remaining the best in Italy.

It is followed by the University of Padua in 173rd place and the University of Milan in 186th
place.

Italian Universities in Calo

Although 67 Italian universities are on the list, 75% of them have lost positions compared to the previous year. The president of the CWUR, Nadim Mahassen, stressed that the reduction in public investment in research and development could lead Italy to a further decline in future rankings. Countries like China, which has increased investment in research by 33%, represent growing competition.

Ranking of the Best Italian Universities

Here is the ranking of the best Italian universities according to the CWUR:

1. Sapienza University of Rome
2. University of Padua
3. University of Milan
4. University of Bologna
5. University of Turin
6. Federico II University of Naples
7. University of Florence
8. University of Genoa
9. University of Pisa
10. University of Pavia
11. Politecnico di Milano
12. University of Milano-Bicocca
13. University of Rome Tor Vergata
14. University of Parma
15. Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
16. Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
17. University of Perugia
18. University of Bari
19. University of Trento
20. University of Trieste
21. University of Catania
22. University of Verona
23. University of Siena
24. University of Ferrara
25. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
26. Bocconi
27. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa
28. University of Palermo
29. University of Brescia
30. Politecnico di Torino

The Best Universities in the World

Harvard domain

For the thirteenth consecutive year, Harvard is confirmed as the best university in the world, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford. In the top ten positions, four universities belong to the Ivy League, while Pasadena’s Caltech completes
the group.

Ranking of the Best Foreign Universities

1. Harvard
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3. Stanford University
4. University of Cambridge
5. University of Oxford
6. Princeton University
7. Columbia University
8. University of Pennsylvania
9. Yale University
10. California Institute of Technology

The Growth of China

Progress of Chinese Universities

China is emerging as one of the most dynamic nations in the field of higher education. 95% of its 324 universities have improved their position, with Tsinghua University ranking 43rd
.

The Best European Universities

United Kingdom, France and Germany

In Europe, the United Kingdom, France and Germany maintain a strong presence in the top 2000, with 92, 73 and 69 universities respectively. Cambridge and Oxford continue to dominate, followed by prestigious institutions such as ETH Zurich and Sorbonne University
in Paris.

Universities in Asia and Japan

Situation in Japan

Despite the growth of Chinese universities, Japan sees 61% of its 110 universities losing positions, mainly due to low government investment. However, the University of Tokyo maintains its position as the most prestigious Asian institution, ranking 13th in the
world.

CWUR Evaluation Criteria

Parameters Used

The CWUR evaluates universities based on four main parameters:

• Quality of education (25%)
• Employability (25%)
• Teacher quality (10%)
• Research (40%)

The decline in Italian universities is mainly due to the decrease in research results, despite improvements in the quality of education and in employability.