The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been recognized on Time Magazine’s The World’s Top Universities of 2026 list. The inaugural ranking places UT at No. 33 among U.S. public universities, No. 64 among all U.S. institutions and No. 157 worldwide. The university ranks fifth among schools in the Southeastern Conference.
“This recognition affirms the world-class education and unrivaled student experience we’re delivering at the University of Tennessee,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “UT isn’t just impacting the state. We’re stepping forward as a global leader in innovation, collaborative research and academic excellence. I’m so proud of our dedicated faculty, staff and students who push us to be great in all that we do.”
Commitment to excellence
The World’s Top Universities ranking celebrates universities around the globe that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to excellence in education and outstanding student experiences. Universities were considered for inclusion if they were among the most renowned and frequently mentioned institutions or had at least one faculty member on Clarivate’s annual Highly Cited Researchers list. Six UT faculty members were named to the Clarivate list in 2025.
Time worked with market research firm Statista to score each university on academic capacity and performance, innovation and economic impact, and global engagement. The scores from each area were then aggregated into a final score to produce the ranking.
UT offers more than 300 degree programs across 14 colleges and schools, giving students access to a wide range of disciplines and educational opportunities. In recent years, the university has seen impressive growth in retention, enrollment and graduation rates and has been recognized nationwide as a leader in student success and online education.
Impact and engagement are key components of Chancellor Donde Plowman’s vision of UT as a modern land-grant university. In 2025, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities honored UT with its Innovation and Economic Prosperity Economic Engagement Connections Award for promoting innovation and regional development and addressing a range of challenges across Tennessee. The university is leading the way to strengthen the workforce in the state and beyond in crucial fields including teaching, nursing and nuclear engineering.
Led by the Center for Global Engagement, the university maintains partnerships with institutions around the world, supporting collaborative research, student and scholarly exchanges, and dual degree programs. Students who participate in UT’s wide variety of study abroad opportunities learn in more than 50 countries and immerse themselves in different cultures while earning academic credit. UT students consistently receive national competitive scholarships, including Gilman scholarships, to study abroad.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stacy Estep (865-974-8304, sestep3@utk.edu)