The QS World University Rankings portfolio released its second annual list of America's Top Universities, which ranks U.S. universities on metrics including research, employability, the learning experience, diversity and internationalization. Michigan State University, for the second year, is in the top 8% of all U.S. universities.

“The broad range of important factors these rankings take into consideration speaks highly of MSU’s overall excellence,” MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., said. “While known globally for the talent we develop and our research and outreach, student success remains a core component of our educational mission.”

QS considered 750 institutions — both research universities and master’s-level universities — for the list and MSU ranked at No. 55.

"The American higher education sector is wrestling with questions of equity, access, representation and social justice,” said Jack Moran, QS Spokesperson. “The QS USA University Rankings have been carefully crafted to shine some independent light on which institutions are doing most to foster the essential relationship between education and social change."

As a leading research institution in the U.S., MSU is home to nearly 100 active research centers and institutes on the East Lansing campus as well as field research sites across Michigan, including the world-renowned Facility for Rare Isotope Beams. FRIB is a national user facility for nuclear science funded by the Department of Energy Office of Science, MSU and the state of Michigan.

In terms of employability, 95% of students who receive bachelor’s degrees from MSU are immediately employed or pursue additional education; as undergraduate students, nearly 80% graduate from MSU having already completed an internship.

MSU’s efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion on campus are reflected in enrollment numbers for diverse students. In fall 2020, students of color enrollment increased by 6.8% at MSU since fall 2019, which is a 49.4% increase since 2010. Workforce data show a 6.9% increase in hiring and retaining employees reporting two or more races compared to 2019. The number of African American/Black faculty and women faculty in the tenure system increased respectively by 8.0% and 2.3% in fall 2020.

“While we cannot attribute these outcomes to a single factor, and are proud of the actions taken to close opportunity gaps in access, probation, attrition and graduation, we acknowledge that the full impact of COVID-19 has yet to be fully realized,” said Jabbar Bennett, MSU chief diversity officer. “I am optimistic that current and future student success strategic initiatives will continue to mitigate historical and contemporary barriers and improve overall outcomes.”

Universities are ranked based on 17 metrics according to their research performance and career outcomes for students, as well as a range of indicators assessing each institution’s social impact and efforts to foster equity. Such indicators include gender pay gap, faculty gender diversity, the ratio of undergraduate students receiving Pell Grants and retention rates.

Learn more about this ranking by visiting the QS Top Universities site.