Understanding Sustainability Rankings
International university rankings have evolved greatly over the past 20 years. Historically, rankings have focused on factors such as career outcomes or academic prestige. However, since the development of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, there has been a significant shift of focus towards sustainability. The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking began in 2019. The QS Sustainability Ranking began in 2022. Since then, both rankings have grown exponentially. As a result, more schools are taking part in the ranking each year.
How Students are Using Sustainability to Select Suitable Programs
Sustainability rankings are reshaping how prospective students evaluate and compare various potential schools. In 2025, we have witnessed increasingly severe climate change and growing pressure on schools and institutions to balance profit with purpose. In response to that, these rankings shine a light on schools that are prioritizing environmental impact in their curricula and on their campuses. Sustainability rankings in 2025 are crucial for students looking for a master’s degree that reflects their values and non-negotiables.
Why Sustainability is Important to Prospective Students
While it may seem like a fairly niche ranking, the 2024 GMAC Prospective Students Survey found that 68% of prospective business school students feel that sustainability in an institution is important to them. Moreover, 36% of prospective business students would not consider a school that does not prioritize sustainability.
In recent years, students have been increasingly looking for study and career pathways that align with their core values. Going beyond traditional high salary expectations and job stability, younger generations look for educational pathways that open doors to meaningful work and match their morals. Thus, prospective students are looking for new factors such as sustainability, gender equality, and social impact when evaluating potential schools.
What Are the QS Sustainability Rankings?
The QS Sustainability University Rankings 2026 highlight universities committed to environmental and social progress. The ranking takes into account factors such as Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Governance, among other factors.
These include the subcategories:
- Environmental – Environmental Sustainability, Environmental Education, Environmental Research
- Social Impact – Equality, Knowledge Exchange, Impact of Education, Employability & Opportunities, Health and Wellbeing
- Governance – Good Governance
Based on these factors, schools receive an overall score (out of 100), which determines how they are ranked.
What Are THE Impact Rankings?
The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking 2025 highlights schools that excel in addressing and contributing to global sustainable development. The ranking methodology focuses on themes such as environmental sustainability, social inclusion, economic growth, and more. The 2025 ranking included 2,526 universities from 130 countries/ territories. The ranking evaluates each school’s progress toward the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The four pillars on which a school is evaluated are:
- Research – Creating research on relevant topics
- Stewardship – how universities handle physical and human resources
- Outreach – how connected and supportive universities are of their local, regional, and international communities
- Teaching – teaching the core skills and knowledge needed to make a change
Every school receives a score for each of the individual SDGs, creating an overall score (out of 100). This final score determines the school’s place in the ranking.
QS Sustainability Rankings 2026: The Top 10 Universities
Let’s take a look at the top 10 universities ranked in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026. These include:
1. Lund University (Sweden)
2. University of Toronto (Canada)
3. University College London – UCL (United Kingdom)
4. The University of Edinburgh (United Kingdom)
5. University of British Columbia (Canada)
6. The London School of Economics and Political Science – LSE (United Kingdom)
7. Imperial College London (United Kingdom)
7. The University of New South Wales – UNSW (Australia)
9. McGill University (Canada)
10. The University of Manchester (United Kingdom)
QS Sustainability Rankings 2026: Top Trends
The QS Sustainability Rankings 2026 is the fourth edition of this ranking. In this year’s ranking, Lund University, in Sweden, ranked #1. The University of Toronto, previously ranked #1 for the last two years, dropped to #2.
Interestingly, University College London (UCL) rose from its former 5th place to 3rd. Also worthy of note, McGill University in Canada has risen six places to make it into the top ten. On the flip side, ETH Zurich and the University of California, Berkeley, which were previously in the top 10, both dropped to a joint #11.
Out of the 240 institutions ranked, the United States was this year’s most represented location overall. Thereafter, the next most represented locations were China, the United Kingdom, and India. However, the UK had 30 institutions in the top 100, nearly doubling that of the U.S., which had 16 institutions in the top 100.
Notably, five of the top ten were UK-based schools. Three out of the top ten schools were Canadian schools.
THE Impact Rankings 2025: Top 10 Universities
Now let’s take a look at the top 10 universities ranked in the THE Impact Rankings for 2025:
- Western Sydney University (Australia)
- University of Manchester (United Kingdom)
- Kyungpook National University (South Korea)
- Griffith University (Australia)
- University of Tasmania (Australia)
- Arizona State University (United States)
- Queen’s University (Canada)
- University of Alberta (Canada)
- Aalborg University (Denmark)
- Universitas Airlangga (Indonesia)
THE Impact Rankings 2025: Key Insights
In the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, three out of the top 10 schools are Australian. For the fourth consecutive year, Western Sydney University in Eastern Australia leads the rankings table. The school has ranked #1 for the fourth consecutive year.
Universitas Airlangga (Indonesia) and Kyungpook National University (South Korea) stand out for strongly representing Asian institutions in the top 10. In 2025, Asian universities have made powerful strides in the ranking. With more than half of all the ranked places, Asia leads in 10 out of 17 SDG categories.
For a full analysis of the THE Impact Rankings 2025, read our article.
QS Sustainability Rankings 2026 vs THE Impact Rankings 2025: Key Differences & Similarities
Key Similarities
In a nutshell, both are sustainability rankings for the period 2025 to 2026. Therefore, both rankings highlight schools that are actively prioritizing sustainability and tackling global challenges. Additionally, both ranked schools on a global scale, taking international universities into account.
Key Differences
On the other hand, the QS Sustainability Rankings and the THE Impact Rankings have their own methodologies and ranking criteria. Due to this, their results differ, with priority placed on different elements. In other words, both have their own unique focus.
They differ in that the QS defines its own criteria, while THE focuses on the globally UN-mandated SDGs. Therefore, one criterion is more specific, and one is more global.
QS reflects this potential for bias in its rankings by taking a slightly more U.S.-focused approach, with the United States as its most represented country. Whereas the THE ranking had a greater focus on the Asia-Pacific area, with a strong streak of Asian schools represented in the rankings.
For instance, the top 10 schools on the QS table included Sweden, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Alternatively, the top 10 for THE featured schools from Oceania, such as Australia, South Korea, and Indonesia, alongside the United Kingdom, the U.S., Canada, and Denmark.
Sustainability Rankings in 2025: How Do They Help You Choose the Right Master’s Program?
By comparing sustainability rankings in 2025, such as the QS Sustainability Rankings with THE Impact Rankings, we can better understand how different universities deliver impact.
Ultimately, prospective students should focus on the factors that are most important to them when assessing whether schools are the right fit. Rankings are helpful tools. However, doing your research is worth it. Look into a school’s sustainability policies, speak with ambassadors and alumni, and explore their green campus initiatives to understand their sustainability efforts. This way, you can find a school that best fits your values and long-term goals.
Looking for the latest master’s program rankings? Visit our master’s rankings page to explore more.
You might also like…
Your Guide to a Master’s in Sustainability & ESG Management
Studying for a master’s in Sustainability and ESG Management can teach you to strategize for sustainable practices and adhere to regulations. Leaders in this field need insight on ethical governance, impact investing, and corporate responsibility. By aligning business objectives with the UN SDGs, graduates can create long-term value and foster ethical leadership across all industries.
Read more
