Three Saudi universities have further solidified their positions in the list of the world’s best universities. Taif University, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, and Jazan University have made significant strides in the 2026 Academic Ranking of World Universities.
Taif University achieved the most substantial improvement. Ranked 627th globally in 2025, the university climbed 219 places to secure the 408th spot. Concurrently, it improved its standing among Saudi universities, moving from sixth to fourth place.
Meanwhile, Riyadh’s Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University advanced from the 901–1000 tier last year to the 601–700 tier this year.
Jazan University maintained its place in the global rankings for the third consecutive year. It is currently positioned in the 901–1000 tier globally and ranks among the top 14 universities in Saudi Arabia.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, these improvements in ranking are attributed to enhanced research quality, support for researchers, increased funding for the research sector, and a stronger international presence.
The ‘Academic Ranking of World Universities’—also known as the Shanghai Ranking—evaluates the world’s top 1,000 universities annually. Rankings are determined based on various indicators, including the quality of education, the performance of faculty and researchers, research output, and the institution’s overall effectiveness.
Observers believe that the results of various initiatives undertaken to develop Saudi Arabia’s education and research sectors are being reflected in these international rankings.
