King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has entered the Global Top 50, ranking 48th, in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ratings, which assess institutional contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university also placed among the top 25 in Asia and second in Saudi Arabia. KAUST demonstrated strong performance in SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water). Why it matters: This recognition highlights KAUST's significant contributions to global sustainability efforts and reinforces Saudi Arabia's commitment to the UN SDGs through its leading research institutions.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has been ranked No. 1 in Saudi Arabia for materials science, chemistry, natural sciences, and electrical engineering in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject. Globally, KAUST ranks within the top 100 across eight different subjects. These rankings are compiled by Quacquarelli Symonds, comparing over 1,500 universities worldwide. Why it matters: This highlights KAUST's growing academic excellence and its contribution to Saudi Vision 2030 goals of attracting top talent and elevating the global standing of the Kingdom's educational institutions.
KAUST has been ranked No. 1 in the Times Higher Education (THE) Arab University Rankings for the third consecutive year. The 2025 edition of the rankings evaluated universities across 20 key indicators, including global citation impact and industry collaboration. Sixteen of KAUST's faculty were named on the 2025 Clarivate highly cited list. Why it matters: This recognition reinforces KAUST’s position as a leading research university in the Arab world and reflects Saudi Arabia’s increasing global competitiveness in research, innovation, and advanced education.
KAUST has been ranked first in the Times Higher Education (THE) Arab University Rankings for the second consecutive year, outperforming over 350 universities in the MENA region. KAUST excels in research environment and quality, with scores of 98.5 and 95.7, respectively, comparable to global institutions like Cambridge and Harvard. This recognition highlights KAUST's role in advancing Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and its growing impact on the global stage. Why it matters: This ranking solidifies KAUST's position as a leading research university in the Arab world and a key contributor to the development of a knowledge-based economy in Saudi Arabia.
KAUST was ranked first in the Times Higher Education (THE) Arab University Rankings 2023, improving from second place the previous year. KAUST achieved a perfect score of 100 for research environment and saw improvements in industry income and international outlook. KAUST's supercomputer Shaheen III was also ranked the most powerful in the Middle East and #20 globally. Why it matters: This ranking highlights the increasing strength of Saudi Arabian universities and the region's growing focus on research, development, and innovation, especially in areas like AI.