What is the University of Cambridge ranked?

The University of Cambridge consistently ranks among the world's top universities, often placing in the top 3 globally in publications like the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 (joint 3rd) and maintaining a high position in others like U.S. News (around 5th) and QS Rankings (often 2nd or 3rd), showcasing strong academic reputation, research, and staff-to-student ratios, while also ranking #1 in the UK in the Complete University Guide.

What is the #1 university in the world?

There's no single "No. 1" university as rankings vary by methodology, but the University of Oxford (THE 2026) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (QS 2026) are often at the very top, with Harvard University also consistently #1 (U.S. News). Other top contenders frequently appearing include the University of Cambridge, Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley. 

Is Harvard or Cambridge better?

Neither Cambridge University nor Harvard University is definitively "better"; they are both elite institutions with slight differences, with rankings often placing them close together (e.g., Harvard #3, Cambridge #5 in U.S. News 2024). Harvard offers broader liberal arts, a larger U.S. network, and higher funding, while Cambridge is often cheaper, has a shorter 3-year degree, and offers deep subject specialization from the start, with both offering world-class education, though Harvard might have an edge for US careers and Cambridge for UK/European ones.
 

Which is ranked higher, Oxford or Cambridge?

University Rankings and Global Reputation

According to the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Oxford holds 1st place worldwide, while Cambridge ranks 5th.

How prestigious is the University of Cambridge?

University of Cambridge Rankings

University of Cambridge is ranked #5 in Best Global Universities. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

Top Ten WORST UNIVERSITIES in UK New Ranking | UK WORST UNIVERSITY RANKING

Is Cambridge as good as Ivy League?

World University Rankings & Reputation

Both Oxford and Cambridge, and the universities of the Ivy League, consistently appear at the top of global university rankings. These positions reflect not just academic output, but also faculty expertise, graduate employability, and the strength of research across disciplines.

Why is Cambridge so prestigious?

Consistently rated among the top in national and international league tables, the University is globally respected for the quality of our teaching and research, and our students are greatly sought after by employers.

Which is the no. 1 ranking University in the UK?

The University of Oxford is generally considered the number 1 university in the UK across most major rankings (THE, US News), followed closely by the University of Cambridge and Imperial College London, though some UK-specific guides like The Times might place LSE or St Andrews at the very top for domestic students, reflecting slight differences in focus (global vs. national/employability).
 

Which is cheaper, Oxford or Cambridge?

Which is more affordable for students: Oxford or Cambridge? In 2025, Cambridge is slightly more affordable. The average monthly cost of living for students is approximately £1,100–£1,500 in Cambridge, while in Oxford it ranges between £1,200–£1,600. Accommodation and transport are generally cheaper in Cambridge.

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Which country owns Cambridge University?

University of Cambridge, English autonomous institution of higher learning at Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, on the River Cam 50 miles (80 km) north of London.

Is Yale better than Cambridge?

Yale University holds the 23rd position globally in QS World University Rankings 2025 with an overall score of 85.2, achieving an impressive academic reputation score of 99.9 and a perfect faculty-to-student ratio of 100. In contrast, Cambridge University is ranked 5th, boasting a higher overall score of 96.7.

Which university is #1 in the USA?

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, Massachusetts) 2. Columbia University (New York City, New York)

Which university is the richest in the world?

Harvard University, with a $50.9 billion endowment as of 2022, is the wealthiest university in the world.

What's the hardest UK university to get into?

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of St Andrews, and Imperial College London are the most competitive universities in the UK.

What is the prettiest university in the UK?

8 prettiest colleges in the UK that tourists should visit

1. University of Edinburgh. ...
2. University of Glasgow. ...
3. Durham University. ...
4. University of Oxford. ...
5. Royal Holloway, University of London. ...
6. University of Cambridge. ...
7. Keele University. ...
8. Greenwich University.

Have Oxford and Cambridge fall out of top 3?

For the first time in 32 years, Oxford and Cambridge have fallen out of the UK's top three in the prestigious Sunday Times Good University Guide. The 2026 rankings place LSE first for the second year running, with St Andrews in second and Durham in third. 🔗Source: The Independent.

What is the hardest degree to get into at Cambridge?

As we can see, Computer Science isn't just the most competitive of the top five Cambridge degrees, but is the most competitive undergraduate course taught at Cambridge in terms of offers.

Which is better, Cambridge or MIT?

Neither MIT nor Cambridge is definitively "better"; they are world-leading institutions with different strengths, with MIT often favored for tech/STEM & US careers and Cambridge for broader academics/European careers, though rankings often place them #1 and #2 globally, with the choice depending on your specific field, career goals (US vs. UK/Europe), and desired learning environment. 

How hard is it for an American to go to Cambridge?

Getting into Cambridge as an American is extremely difficult, requiring near-perfect scores (5s in 5+ APs, SAT 1450-1500+ or ACT 32-35+) for its highly competitive ~21-22% overall acceptance rate, plus mandatory subject-specific tests and intense interviews, often seeing success rates below 10% for US applicants in some years. Success hinges on exceptional grades, top standardized test scores, relevant AP/IB scores, subject-specific tests (like the STEP for Maths or BMAT/UCAT for Medicine), and demonstrating deep subject passion in interviews, as they seek top global talent, not just typical US applicants. 

What famous people went to Cambridge?

10 Famous Cambridge Alumni

• Sir Isaac Newton. Before he became famous for headbutting an apple, Sir Isaac Newton was a student at Trinity College in the University of Cambridge. ...
• Alan Turing. ...
• Francis Bacon. ...
• William Harvey. ...
• Joseph Stiglitz. ...
• Sylvia Plath. ...
• Stephen Hawking. ...
• Robert Oppenheimer.

What is the most expensive University in the world?

While exact rankings vary by year and what's included (tuition vs. total cost), Harvey Mudd College (US) is frequently cited as the most expensive by sticker price, with others like Columbia University, USC, and MIT also appearing at the top, often exceeding $90,000-$100,000 annually in total cost of attendance (COA) before financial aid, though generous aid can significantly lower actual costs.