Harvard tops the list of world's 100 best universities while American schools dominate nearly half the list

  • U.S. universities take up 46 of the 100 top spots
  • MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts earned the number two spot on the list
  • Universities like New York University and Columbia are steadily gaining ground on other elite schools
  • The rankings are based on surveys of 10,536 academics in 150 countries

By Daily Mail Reporter

PUBLISHED: 21:49 EST, 5 March 2014 | UPDATED: 07:49 EST, 6 March 2014

U.S. universities remain atop the list of the world's rankings of the most reputable institutions of higher education, according to the recently released 2014 World Reputation Rankings.

Harvard University in Boston tops the Times Higher Education Reputation Rankings, with Massachusetts Institute of Technology taking the number two spot.

Stanford University in California was ranked third in the world, according to the rankings.

Top: Harvard in the US is ranked highest in the table, based on surveys of 10,536 academics in 150 countries

Top: Harvard in the US is ranked highest in the table, based on surveys of 10,536 academics in 150 countries

Mass: Massachusetts Institute of Technology took the number two spot on the Times Higher Education rankings

Mass: Massachusetts Institute of Technology took the number two spot on the Times Higher Education rankings

In all, American universities took 46 of the top 100 positions.

The rankings are based on surveys of 10,536 academics in 150 countries.

In general, the reputations of U.S. universities are gradually improving - for example, New York University has jumped to 27th since 2011, when it was ranked in the 51 to 60 grouping. Columbia University also has seen an improvement in the rankings since 2011, jumping from 23rd to 12th in 2014.

A small number of U.S. universities have been on the decline, however, which has many public universities worried.

'Of the small number of U.S. institutions falling down the list, most are from the public sector and have suffered funding cuts. The prestigious University of California’s top research institutions have collectively suffered and other big name state universities are losing their international status, too,' editor of Times Higher Education rankings Phil Baty told NJ.com. 'This is a worry, as it could lead to a downward spiral, with fewer international scholars wanting to join the institutions. Missed opportunities for global collaboration would lead to further decline.'

Top 10: Princeton University in New Jersey ranked 7th on the Times Higher Education rankings

Top 10: Princeton University in New Jersey ranked 7th on the Times Higher Education rankings

In contrast, Britain's ‘Red brick’ universities are sliding down the global league of the most prestigious places to study.

Bristol has followed Leeds and Sheffield in dropping out of a top 100 table which ranks universities according to their reputation around the world.

Manchester, meanwhile, slipped out of the top 50.

The rankings expose a widening gap between a ‘golden triangle’ of universities in London, Oxford and Cambridge and the rest of UK academia.

While each slipping a place to fourth and fifth respectively, Cambridge and Oxford maintain their position in the global elite.

London-based institutions including Imperial College, the London School of Economics, University College London and King’s also perform strongly, either maintaining or improving their rankings.

But other big name British universities - including the ‘red brick’ institutions established in major industrial cities - have taken a hit and the UK’s representation among the top 100 has shrunk since the table was first published in 2011.

Of the rankings of British universities, Baty said: ‘The UK has lost three big-name universities from the list of the world’s 100 most prestigious institutions since the rankings were first published in 2011.

'In 2012, the University of Sheffield exited the rankings, in 2013 the University of Leeds followed suit, and this year the University of Bristol misses out.

Out: In 2013, the University of Leeds (above) exited the table, which ranks universities based on their reputation

Out: In 2013, the University of Leeds (above) exited the table, which ranks universities based on their reputation

Another loss: And the year before, the University of Sheffield (pictured) was dropped from the global rankings

Another loss: And the year before, the University of Sheffield (pictured) was dropped from the global rankings

Elite: The rankings expose a widening gap between a 'golden triangle' of universities in London, Oxford and Cambridge and the rest of UK academia. Above, Cambridge University, which remains in the global elite

Elite: The rankings expose a widening gap between a 'golden triangle' of universities in London, Oxford and Cambridge and the rest of UK academia. Above, Cambridge University, which remains in the global elite

University College Oxford
Imperial College London main entrance to Kensington campus

High-flying: Oxford University (left) and Imperial College (right) have also maintained or improved their rankings

‘Given how important global reputation is in attracting top international talent, collaborations and investment, this is cause for concern. The UK has some of the world’s biggest university brands: we must protect them.’ 

Oxford, Cambridge and the University of California, Berkeley complete an elite group of six ‘super-brands’.

Overall, 10 UK universities feature in the World Reputation Rankings top 100, produced by the Times Higher Education magazine - up from nine last year

However, its showing has worsened since 2011 when it had 12 representatives.

Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University College Union, said: ‘The UK continues to punch above its weight on the global stage, but as other countries invest in their universities and move up global league tables, we risk being overtaken.

‘Other countries recognise the value of their universities and if we do not match their investment we will struggle to maintain our position.’

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One again, my Alma Mater is ignored - the University of Hard Knocks.

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Where's the link to view the whole list?

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I think we also need to look at the size of the countries. Of course America has more universities in the top 100 due to them being one of the largest countries.

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When 25 percent of the respondents to the research come from North America this is hardly a surprising result. No other country had more than 8 percent!. Coring for yourself is easy but flawed results are meaningless.

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I most respect people who have come from meager backgrounds and have worked hard for what they have. Not too many people from Harvard are like that.

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How would you know?

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USA higher education enjoy your moment in the sun because when your politicians decide to create a "more equal society" by meddling with you then - like us - its all downhill.

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Gaz, we're already 20 years into the slide and you can see the results all over our society.

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when I was in college (at a normal state school), I also worked at a law firm part time. Their were 5 attorneys. 2 Harvard, 1 Yale, 1 Brown (undergrad/don't know where law school) 1 Pepperdine Law. Honestly, they were 5 of the smartest people I've ever met. THEY were well rounded. They knew much about so many subjects. It was then I realized how shortchanged I had been my life. THey were all raised pretty well off, so went to good prep schools. You learned to keep mouth shut to not appear stupid. The other half truly does live differently. I've done fine with my life. But that was the 1st time, I thought DAMN my public school education to this point really stunk.

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A survey of academics ranking universities according to 'prestige'? Rather like a bunch of models ranking each other by their ideas of what looks good. And, as one with a Harvard graduate degree who saw just how most of the undergraduates are typically funneled into droning big lecture courses and graded by exhausted grad students, this seems to have about as much to do with students getting a good education as your typical model is likely to have a genuinely healthy lifestyle. In other words, a lot of hogwash.

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In other words, you couldnt get into one and now want to bash a study that rates them as good schools.

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This poll must have been conducted before the Obama came to office. He's a Harvard trained lawyer. More people have lost health care insurance than gained it through his namesake law despite his "grandfather" clause. If he's the best example of what Harvard's producing I wouldn't send my dog there for training.

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Sorry my friend, the content of this article might be beyond your scope of comprehension.

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Who made the survey will remain a mystery...

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