The only ranking system that evaluates sustainability and employability is the QS World University Rankings, which was released in its 21st edition by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds). A record 1,500 universities from 106 higher education systems are included in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is ranked #1 in the QS rankings for the thirteenth year in a row. However, QS pointed out that Imperial College’s “world-leading research performance, outstanding employability scores, and exceptional sustainability commitment” were the reasons behind its rise from sixth to second place in the most recent edition. The Universities of Oxford and Harvard, which are still placed third and fourth, respectively, are the next two universities to round up the top five, after the University of Cambridge.
Turkey, Pakistan, and Indonesia are a few of the nations with the biggest improvements in the rankings.
These 10 Pakistani universities made it to ranks in recently released 2025 QS World University rankings list.
Pakistani Universities in QS ranking 2025
| Rank | University | Global Rank |
| 1. | Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan | 315 |
| 2. | National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) | 353 |
| 3. | Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) | 535 |
| 4. | University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan | 570 |
| 5. | University of Agriculture, Faisalabad Pakistan | 681-690 |
| 6. | Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) | 691-700 |
| 7. | COMSATS University Islamabad Pakistan | 711-720 |
| 8. | University of Engineering & Technology (UET) Lahore | 751-760 |
| 9. | University of Peshawar Peshawar, Pakistan | 901-950 |
| 10. | The University of Lahore | 951-1000 |
The QS World University Rankings are a trustworthy worldwide standard for evaluating academic calibre, the significance of research, and institutional prestige. These rankings have a big impact on how scholars, researchers, and aspiring students search for partnerships and learning opportunities.
Read more: Only 2 Pakistani Universities Make It To Top 100 Of Qs Asia University Rankings 2023
By highlighting the successes of elite colleges, the rankings promote a culture of healthy competition and push institutions to continuously pursue innovation, academic rigour, and major research.
In an ever-changing world of possibilities and challenges, the QS World University Rankings 2025 emphasise the critical role that higher education institutions play in creating a brighter future via research, knowledge, and discussion.
- Multiple significant variables are responsible for the improvement in Pakistani universities’ QS World University Rankings:
- Pakistani academic institutions have made a significant investment in research and innovation, building strong research centres and encouraging cross-border partnerships.
- The Pakistani government has made substantial investments and support for the higher education industry, which has been essential for the performance of universities in the QS rankings.
- The reputation of Pakistani institutions has been greatly enhanced by the emphasis on high-quality education and the use of contemporary teaching approaches.
Institutions have received recognition for their contributions to research, academic achievement, and general influence on the education sector.
These elements, together with the diligence and commitment of instructors, staff, and students, have made it possible for 14 Pakistani universities to be notably listed among the Top 1000 in the QS World University Rankings 2024. These universities must keep working to raise their rankings and become competitive with the world’s best universities going forward.