Virginia Tech has been recognized in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The rankings, which evaluate more than 2,000 universities globally, placed Virginia Tech in the overall range of 251-300 and ranked it No. 63 among U.S. institutions. This marks a three-spot improvement from the previous year. Additionally, Virginia Tech is tied for No. 15 among public land-grant universities classified as Very High Research by the Carnegie Classification.
Ranking Methodology
The rankings are determined through a methodology that assesses universities based on 18 indicators within five primary areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry income. Research quality and research environment are weighted significantly, contributing 60% to the overall score, while teaching and research reputation add an additional 33%.
Statement from Dan Sui
Dan Sui, senior vice president for research and innovation at Virginia Tech, articulated that the university’s performance in the Times Higher Education rankings reflects its dedication to addressing global challenges through research and education. He noted that this recognition plays a role in attracting talent, including faculty, staff, students, and partners, which are essential to the university’s mission.
Impact Rankings Achievements
Virginia Tech’s research initiatives were further emphasized in the Times Higher Education Impact rankings, where the institution excelled in the Zero Hunger category. Noteworthy achievements in this category include a biocontrol program in Bangladesh aimed at enhancing crop production and research focused on mung bean production in Senegal to combat food insecurity. The university also performed well in the Reduced Inequalities category, with ongoing research targeted at reducing motorcycle collisions in lower-income countries such as Malaysia.
Undergraduate Research Projects
Recent undergraduate research projects underscore the university’s commitment to impactful studies. These investigations include research on bacterial movement on surfaces and a summer program designed to educate aspiring environmental scientists on collecting microplastic samples.
Advancements in Ranking Pillars
Notable advancements were observed in four out of five ranking pillars this year: research quality, research environment, industry, and international outlook, with the highest score in research quality. This reflects the average number of citations of Virginia Tech’s published works by scholars globally.
Collaborative Efforts with Industry
Moreover, collaborative efforts between Virginia Tech’s research initiatives and industry involve projects related to developing advanced drone systems in partnership with Mosaic ATM, as well as the creation of an artificial intelligence tool aimed at enhancing access to The Washington Post’s archives.
Significance of Rankings
The Times Higher Education rankings are considered significant indicators of progress concerning Virginia Tech’s land-grant mission, with detailed information regarding the university’s rankings available on its official website.
Source: Virginia Tech News