Carolina ranks 32nd among world’s top 500 research universities

USNewsGlobalKatie#32The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranks 32nd among the world’s top 500 research universities, according to the inaugural U.S. News and World Report “Best Global Universities” rankings.

The new ranking builds on U.S. News and World Report’s widely cited Best Colleges rankings, which have rated U.S. universities and colleges over the past 30 years. The Best Global Universities ranking provides a global context for U.S. research schools, evaluating 500 worldwide institutions using ten indicators that measure reputation, research, academic collaboration and doctoral degrees awarded.

UNC-Chapel Hill is tied with the University of Melbourne for 32nd among world institutions. Among U.S. research universities included on the list, UNC placed 24th overall and 11th among public campuses.

Harvard University tops the magazine’s list, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University and the University of Oxford.

“A great university must be a global university, and this ranking is another indication of Carolina’s international excellence,” said Chancellor Carol L. Folt. “As a leading global public research university, Carolina inspires research, scholarship, and service on some of the most pressing international issues of our time. We’re also inspiring our students to be strong international citizens, and they and our faculty are conducting work of deep global value.”

Chief International Officer Ron Strauss echoed Chancellor Folt’s sentiments. “UNC-Chapel Hill’s position at 32nd in these new rankings is a further indication of the degree to which international scholarship, education and service are integral to our identity. We are especially proud of the students, faculty and staff who embrace global learning and are working towards solving the world’s most pressing problems. We are also grateful to our international university partners who are essential to Carolina’s globalization.”

The Best Global Universities ranking also provided rankings in 21 subject areas. UNC performed exceptionally well in health, medical and life science fields, typically ranking in the top 25 institutions worldwide. UNC garnered 3rd in the world (3rd in the U.S.) for pharmacology and toxicology and 9th in the world (7th in the U.S.) for social science and public health.

UNC also earned the following worldwide rankings in these subject areas:

  • Biology and biochemistry: 45th (27th in the U.S.)
  • Chemistry: 44th(17th in the U.S.)
  • Clinical medicine: 21st(14th in the U.S.)
  • Economics and business: tied for 31st(tied for 24th in the U.S.)
  • Environment/ecology: 48th(26th in the U.S.)
  • Immunology: 24th(18th in the U.S.)
  • Microbiology: tied for 20th(16th in the U.S.)
  • Molecular biology and genetics: 21st(17th in the U.S.)
  • Psychiatry/psychology: 21st(16th in the U.S.)