Times Higher Education places MSU in top 5% of universities – Michigan State University

University Performance and Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Global Ranking Analysis

Michigan State University (MSU) has demonstrated significant progress in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, reflecting its commitment to addressing global challenges as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university’s performance underscores its role as a leading institution in fostering sustainable development through education and research.

• Overall World Rank: 105 out of 2,191 institutions, placing MSU in the top 5% globally.
• Year-Over-Year Improvement: A 17-place increase from the previous year, marking the highest rank in four years.
• United States Rank: 38 out of 171 ranked institutions, an improvement of four positions.
• Big Ten Conference Rank: 10 among 18 institutions, representing the largest ranking jump within the conference.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

MSU’s improved standing is indicative of its institutional focus on academic and research excellence that directly supports the United Nations’ SDGs. The university’s mission aligns with key goals, including providing inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG 4), promoting innovation (SDG 9), and fostering partnerships to achieve the goals (SDG 17).

MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., noted, “The recognition reflected in these rankings underscores our academic and research excellence driven by our world-class faculty who are deeply committed to student success.” This commitment is fundamental to educating a new generation of leaders equipped to tackle complex sustainability issues.

Key Drivers of Performance in the Context of SDGs

The primary factors contributing to the university’s improved ranking are directly linked to its impact on global sustainability efforts.

1. Faculty Reputation: The significant increase in the faculty reputational survey score reflects global recognition of MSU’s faculty for their impactful research and contributions toward solving critical challenges related to climate action, zero hunger, and good health and well-being.
2. Research Excellence: The university’s standing as a global research institution highlights its capacity to generate knowledge and innovative solutions that advance the SDGs.
3. Commitment to Student Success: By focusing on student success, MSU actively contributes to SDG 4 (Quality Education), ensuring that graduates possess the skills and awareness necessary to promote sustainable development in their respective fields.

Institutional Standing and Future Outlook

MSU’s position among the world’s leading universities reinforces its capacity to influence and contribute to the global sustainability agenda. The ranking methodology, which includes 17 metrics across five categories, validates the university’s comprehensive approach to excellence.

• The university’s advancement within the Big Ten Conference highlights its leadership among peer institutions in integrating sustainability into its core mission.
• As one of four major global rankings, the Times Higher Education result provides a key benchmark for MSU’s ongoing efforts to contribute positively to a sustainable and equitable world.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  • The article’s entire focus is on the ranking of a higher education institution, Michigan State University (MSU). It discusses its position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, highlighting its “academic and research excellence” and commitment to “student success.” These themes are central to SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The ranking itself is a measure of the quality of tertiary education.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.

  • The article directly addresses the “quality” aspect of this target. By detailing MSU’s high ranking (“top 5% of institutions worldwide” and “No. 38” in the U.S.), it provides a metric for the quality of tertiary education offered by the university. The discussion of MSU as a “global research university” further underscores its role in providing high-quality university-level education.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• University Ranking Position

  • The article provides specific data points that serve as direct indicators of educational quality. These include MSU’s global rank (“105 out of 2,191 institutions”), its rank within the U.S. (“No. 38”), and its standing among peer institutions (“No. 10 among the 18 Big Ten institutions”). These numbers are used to measure and compare the quality of the institution.

• Faculty Reputational Survey Score

  • The article explicitly states that the “jump in rankings for this year is attributed primarily to an increase in scoring on the faculty reputational survey, which accounts for 33% of the overall ranking.” This score is a specific, albeit implied, indicator that measures the quality and reputation of the academic staff, which is a crucial component of delivering quality education.

• Relative Performance and Improvement

  • The article notes a “jump of 17 from last year’s ranking” and an improvement of four places in the U.S. ranking. This year-over-year improvement is an indicator of progress in enhancing the quality of education and research at the institution.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: msutoday.msu.edu