Universities in Switzerland
- Rankings & Reviews -

For business studies see our separate ranking of business schools in Switzerland

Latest ranking updates related to universities in Switzerland
  • 06 Mar, 2024: Publication of Scimago Institutions Rankings. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology with highest ranking among universities in Switzerland ranked #62.
  • 25 Jan, 2024: THE World’s Most International Universities updated with Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich ranked highest among 3 listed universities in Switzerland.
  • 19 Dec, 2023: Urap published most recent results of URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance. Includes 15 universities from Switzerland.
  • 15 Dec, 2023: Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments - ShanghaiRanking (Sport Science) updated with University of Basel ranked highest among 4 listed universities in Switzerland.

Rankings of universities in Switzerland 2024

  • #2 
  • #33 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #2 
  • #36 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #1 
  • #62 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
Show 20 more rankings of Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and subject specific rankings for 9 subjects

  • #3 
  • #80 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #3 
  • #91 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #2 
  • #119 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
Show 19 more rankings of University of Zurich and subject specific rankings for 12 subjects

  • #4 
  • #116 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #5 
  • #126 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #4 
  • #206 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
Show 14 more rankings of University of Bern and subject specific rankings for 11 subjects


  • #1 
  • #11 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #1 
  • #7 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #1 
  • #29 
US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022]
Show 20 more rankings of Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and subject specific rankings for 11 subjects

  • #7 
  • #183 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #6 
  • #128 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #5 
  • #300 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
Show 18 more rankings of University of Geneva and subject specific rankings for 11 subjects

  • #6 
  • #143 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #7 
  • #220 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #7 
  • #356 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
Show 15 more rankings of University of Lausanne and subject specific rankings for 7 subjects

  • #5 
  • #123 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #4 
  • #124 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #6 
  • #305 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
Show 16 more rankings of University of Basel and subject specific rankings for 9 subjects

  • #8 
  • #251 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #8 
  • #328 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #8 
  • #625 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
Show 12 more rankings of Università della Svizzera italiana and subject specific rankings for 4 subjects

  • #10 
  • #401 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #10 
  • #563 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #9 
  • #854 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
Show 13 more rankings of University of Fribourg and subject specific rankings for 6 subjects

  • #9 
  • #351 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #9 
  • #436 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #13 
  • #1476 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
Show 9 more rankings of University of St. Gallen and subject specific rankings for 5 subjects

  • #11 
  • #401 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #12 
  • #1463 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #10 
  • #1167 
US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022]
Show 5 more rankings of University of Neuchâtel and subject specific rankings for 2 subjects

  • #12 
  • #1001 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #15 
  • #1826 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #14 
  • #2269 
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023]
Show 2 more rankings of University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland and subject specific rankings for 2 subjects

  • #11 
  • #1401 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #11 
  • #1291 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #11 
  • #1338 
US News: Best Global Universities
[Published 24 October, 2022]
Show 3 more rankings of Zurich University of Applied Sciences and subject specific rankings for 2 subjects

#14

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland

  • #10 
  • #1125 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #15 
  • #1907 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#15
Switzerland

Bern University of Applied Sciences

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  • #16 
  • #2075 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #14 
  • #1806 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#16
Switzerland

University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Northwestern Switzerland

  • #14 
  • #1681 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #13 
  • #2179 
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023]
  • #13 
  • #1403 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#17
Switzerland

Lucerne University of Applied Sciences

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  • #17 
  • #2255 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #16 
  • #2421 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#18
Switzerland

Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

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  • #18 
  • #2879 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]

  • #19 
  • #3042 
Scimago Institutions Rankings
[Published 06 March, 2024]
  • #15 
  • #2835 
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023]
  • #11 
  • #786 
RUR Academic Rankings
[Published 25 May, 2023]
Show 3 more rankings of University of Lucerne

#20
Switzerland

IMD

  • #8 
  • #378 
CWUR Center for World University Rankings
[Published 25 April, 2022]
  • #22 
  • #4860 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#21
Switzerland

Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences

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  • #20 
  • #4586 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#22
Switzerland

Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences

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  • #24 
  • #6053 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#23
Switzerland

University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland

  • #28 
  • #7713 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#24
Switzerland

Glion Institute of Higher Education

  • #29 
  • #7842 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#25
Switzerland

Zurich University of the Arts

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  • #21 
  • #4808 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#26
Switzerland

Geneva, Webster University

  • #23 
  • #5234 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#27
Switzerland

Zurich School of Education

  • #25 
  • #6289 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#28
Switzerland

University of Applied Sciences Zurich

  • #26 
  • #6346 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#29
Switzerland

Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne

  • #5 
  • #301 
QS Employability Rankings
[Published 23 September, 2021]
  • #19 
  • #4156 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#30
Switzerland

Geneva School of Art and Design | la Haute école d'art et de design - Genève


#31
Switzerland

Les Roches Global Hospitality Education


#32
Switzerland

Interstate University of Applied Sciences and Technology


#33
Switzerland

Kurt Bösch University Institute


#34
Switzerland

International University in Geneva


#35
Switzerland

University of Human Sciences and Technology


#36
Switzerland

Les Roches-Gruyère University of Applied Sciences

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#37

Taylor Institute for Global Enterprise Management, Franklin College Switzerland


#38

Swiss Finance Institute


#39
Switzerland

Haute école de musique de Genève


Highest subject rankings of universities in Switzerland

Geology QS World University Rankings By Subject
#1 
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich
Civil Engineering GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#2 
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich
Dentistry URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#4 
University of Bern
Agriculture URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#4 
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich
Computer Science THE World University Rankings by Subject
#5 
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich
Journalism URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#5 
University of Zurich
Finance Financial Times: Masters in Finance - Pre-Experience Rankings
#8 
University of St. Gallen
Mathematics GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#8 
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich
Social Sciences THE World University Rankings by Subject
#25 
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich
Architecture URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#30 
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich

Switzerland Key Facts for International Students

29 out of 39 Universities in Switzerland Ranked in at least one ranking

26 Different Rankings list Universities in Switzerland (16 institution and 10 subject rankings)

30 Global Rankings rank Universities in Switzerland Among TOP 200

Time: GMT +2

Telephone country code: +41

  • Largest cities in Switzerland:
  • 1. Zurich: 340,000
  • 2. Geneva: 185,000
  • 3. Basel: 165,000
  • 4. Bern: 120,000
  • 5. Lausanne: 115,000
Nobel prize laureates:
Michel Mayor (, 2019)
 
Didier Queloz (, 2019)
 
Didier Queloz (University of Cambridge, 2019)
 
Jacques Dubochet (, 2017)
 
Kurt Wüthrich (, 2002)
 
Kurt Wüthrich (, 2002)
 
Rolf M. Zinkernagel (, 1996)
 
Georges Charpak (, 1992)
 
Richard R. Ernst (, 1991)
 
Jack Steinberger (, 1988)
 

Map with location of universities in Switzerland

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FAQ

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ranks #1 in Switzerland in our meta ranking composed of 112 university rankings.

Among all universities in Switzerland University of St. Gallen is listed in the largest number of rankings. See all 32 rankings where University of St. Gallen is listed.

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich is ranked best in Switzerland for Natural Sciences (Geology). See all rankings for the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich is ranked best in Switzerland for Engineering (Civil Engineering). See all rankings for the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

University of Bern is ranked best in Switzerland for Medicine & Health (Dentistry). See all rankings for the University of Bern.

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich is ranked best in Switzerland for Agriculture (Agriculture). See all rankings for the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich is ranked best in Switzerland for Computer Science (Computer Science). See all rankings for the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

University of Zurich is ranked best in Switzerland for Journalism & Media Studies (Journalism). See all rankings for the University of Zurich.

University of St. Gallen is ranked best in Switzerland for Business (Finance). See all rankings for the University of St. Gallen.

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich is ranked best in Switzerland for Mathematics (Mathematics). See all rankings for the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich is ranked best in Switzerland for Social Studies & Humanities (Social Sciences). See all rankings for the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich is ranked best in Switzerland for Architecture, Building & Planning (Architecture). See all rankings for the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

University of Zurich is ranked best in Switzerland for Languages & Literature (Linguistics). See all rankings for the University of Zurich.

University of Geneva is ranked best in Switzerland for Law (Law). See all rankings for the University of Geneva.

University of Zurich is ranked best in Switzerland for Education (Education). See all rankings for the University of Zurich.

Ranking publishers

4icu

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British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK

Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:

Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%

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Criteria used in ranking -QS Employability Rankings:

Employer reputation 30% Alumni outcomes 25% Partnerships with Employers per Faculty 25% Employer/Student Connections 10% Graduate employment rate 10%

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CWUR Center for World University Rankings

Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:

Research Performance: 40%

  • Research Output: 10%
  • High-Quality Publications: 10%
  • Influence: 10%
  • Citations: 10%

Quality of Education: 25%

Alumni Employment: 25%

Quality of Faculty: 10%

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Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands

Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:

Scientific Impact Number of Publications Collaboration Open Access Gender Diversity

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NTU ranking

Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:

Research Productivity: 25%

  • # Articles last 11 years: 10%
  • # Articles current year: 15%

Research Impact: 35%

  • # Citations last 11 years: 15%
  • # Citations last 2 years: 10%
  • Average # citations last 11 years: 10%

Research Excellence: 40%

  • H-index last 2 years: 10%
  • # Highly cited papers last 11 years: 15%
  • # Articles current year in high-impact journals: 15%

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Nature Index

Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:

Article count (AC) Fractional count (FC) Weighted fractional count (WFC)

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RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)

Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:

Teaching: 40%

  • Ratio Faculty/Student: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • World Teaching Reputation: 8%

Research: 40%

  • Citations per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD: 8%
  • Normalized Citation Impact: 8%
  • Papers per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • World Research Reputation: 8%

International Diversity: 10%

  • International Faculty: 2%
  • International Students: 2%
  • International Co-Authored Papers: 2%
  • Reputation Outside Geographical Region: 2%
  • International Level: 2%

Financial Sustainability: 10%

  • Institutional Income per Faculty: 2%
  • Institutional Income per Student: 2%
  • Papers per Research Income: 2%
  • Research Income per Academic/Research Staff: 2%
  • Research Income per Institutional Income: 2%

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Criteria used in ranking -RUR Academic Rankings:

Normalized citation impact (Citations of research publications from all university authors compared with world averages) 20% Citation per papers 20% Papers per academic and research staff 20% International research reputation 20% Share of research publications written in international co-authorship 20%

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Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:

Teaching Reputation 50% Research Reputation 50%

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Scimago Institutions

Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:

Research 50% Innovation 30%
Societal 20%

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ShanghaiRanking Consultancy

Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:

Quality of Education 10%

  • Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%

Quality of Faculty 40%

  • Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
  • Highly Cited Researchers 20%

Research Output 40%

  • Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
  • Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%

Per Capita Performance 10%

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THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:

30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)

  • Reputation survey: 15%
  • Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
  • Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
  • Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
  • Institutional income: 2.25%

30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)

  • Reputation survey: 18%
  • Research income: 6%
  • Research productivity: 6%

30% Citations (Research Influence)

7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)

  • Proportion of international students: 2.5%
  • Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
  • International collaboration: 2.5%

2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)"

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Criteria used in ranking -THE Global Employability University Ranking:

Employability (survey) 100%

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Criteria used in ranking -THE World Reputation Rankings:

Research Reputation 66,6% Teaching Reputation 33,3%

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Criteria used in ranking -THE World’s Most International Universities:

Proportion of international students 25% Proportion of international staff 25% Proportion of journal publications with one or more international co-authors 25% University’s international reputation 25%

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Criteria used in ranking -THE Young University Rankings:

Teaching 30% Research (volume, income and reputation) 30% Citations 30% International outlook (staff, students, research) 7.5% Industry income (knowledge transfer) 2.5%

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Thomson Reuters

Criteria used in ranking -Reuters Most Innovative Universities:

Patent Volume 33% Patent Citations 34% Industry Article Citation Impact 11% Percent of Industry Collaborative Articles 11% Total Web of Science Core Collection Papers 11%

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Criteria used in ranking -Reuters Most Innovative Universities Europe:

Patent volume 11.11% Patent success 11.11% Global patents 11.11% Patent citations 11.11% Percent of patents cited / Patent citation impact 11.11% Patent to Article Citation Impact 11.11% Industry Article Citation Impact 11.11% Percent of Industry Collaborative Articles 11.11% Total Web of Science Core Collection Papers 11.11%

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Urap

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Us News

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Webometrics

Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:

Visibility 50% Excellence 35% Transparency 10% Presence 5%

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