Michigan State University continues to climb in prominent global rankings — partly as a result of improved scores related to academic reputation.

As reported in September 2021, MSU ranks in the top 6% of universities in the world. And, Times Higher Education recently released its Reputation Ranking, a metric that comprises 33% of the global ranking’s methodology.

MSU’s new reputation rank is within the top 60 institutions in the world — a jump from the top 80 last year and the highest it has ever scored on this reputation metric. *

Eighteen percent of the Reputation Ranking is determined by research reputation and 15% by teaching reputation.

“Academic reputation is built on teaching, research and outreach excellence that make an impact,” said MSU Provost Teresa K. Woodruff, Ph.D. “The rankings reflect that excellence and impact. They also create a global awareness and acknowledgement of Michigan State University’s expansive — and expanding — academic excellence.”

Contributing factors to MSU’s jump in global Reputation Ranking include:

• Ranking No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 2 nationally in Department of Energy expenditures.
• Remaining a leader in United States Department of Agriculture expenditures ranking No. 1 in the Big Ten.
• Boasting 10 members of the National Academy of Sciences, four members in the National Academy of Engineering and one in the National Academy of Medicine.
• Retaining prominent faculty, including Guggenheim, Packard and Sloan Fellows, Pulitzer Prize winners and one recipient of the World Water Prize.
• Supporting 100 research institutes across a breadth of disciplines, over 30 of which are internationally focused

Nearly 11,000 experienced, published academics around the world cast 150,000 votes to inform the ranking, giving a clear picture of those universities across the globe that they believe have the best reputation for research and teaching. In total, 202 universities from 29 countries and regions are included in the ranking.

* Times Higher Education groups institutions ranked below the top 50 within ranges. MSU previously ranked either within the 61-70 or 71-80 each year.