METU has achieved a significant success by ranking 269th among universities worldwide and 1st among Turkish universities in the 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings, published by the UK-based and globally respected higher education ranking institution Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
Having previously ranked in the 551–560 band in 2022, 501–510 band in 2023, 336th in 2024, and 285th in 2025, METU has now risen to the 269th position in the 2026 ranking, marking a continued and steady upward trajectory.
While 5,663 universities were evaluated last year, this year QS analyzed 8,467 institutions from around the world and included 1,501 in the final list. According to the 2026 results announced on June 19, 2025, METU ranks within the top 17.9 percent of listed universities, reaching its highest placement to date in the QS World University Rankings.
Meanwhile, METU’s ranking in the Employer Reputation indicator rose by 24 places over the past three years, placing it 77th globally. In the Academic Reputation indicator, METU climbed 21 spots to 265th. Accordingly, METU not only leads in the overall ranking but also holds the top position among Turkish universities in both Academic Reputation and Employer Reputation.
QS evaluates universities worldwide based on nine indicators: Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Faculty-Student Ratio, Citations per Faculty, Sustainability, International Research Network, Employment Outcomes, and the ratios of International Students and International Faculty. In calculating the overall performance score, Academic Reputation is weighted at 30 percent, Employer Reputation at 15 percent, Citations per Faculty at 20 percent, Faculty-Student Ratio at 10 percent, and the remaining five indicators at 5 percent each.
You can access the full results of the QS World University Rankings 2026 and further details here.
