The British publication Times Higher Education has awarded the first place to the University of Oxford for the tenth consecutive year. In 2026, American universities occupy seven of the top ten positions; however, the situation worsens at the lower ranks. Sixty-two American universities have fallen in the rankings, while only nineteen have managed to improve their positions.
Phil Baty, a leading expert on global issues at Times Higher Education, noted that significant changes are occurring in the global order of higher education and scientific research. This indicates rises and falls in the global educational landscape.
Comparison of Positions of US and Chinese Universities
In the early 2000s, seven American universities were in the top 10 of the global rankings, with Harvard leading the pack. Only one Chinese university, Zhejiang University, was in the top 25.
Today, Zhejiang Province ranks first in the ranking compiled by the Center for Science and Technology Studies at Leiden University, with another seven Chinese universities represented in the top ten.
Despite Harvard increasing its research output compared to two decades ago, it has lost ground. The main issue is not a decrease in student numbers, but rather that Chinese universities have significantly accelerated their performance growth.
The Leiden Center has created an alternative ranking based on academic data from OpenAlex, where Harvard occupies the first place, but it also shows a predominance of Chinese universities: 12 of the next 13 positions are held by them.
According to the Institute of Informatics at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Harvard remains in first place based on academic metrics, but only Stanford University has managed to enter the top ten, which also includes four Chinese educational institutions. The Nature Index ranking confirmed Harvard's leadership; however, it is followed by ten Chinese universities.
Reduction of Grants in the US and China's Investment in Education
Harvard and other top US universities are facing new challenges related to the reduction of research grants implemented by the Trump administration, as well as restrictions for foreign students and scholars. In August 2025, the number of foreign students in the US decreased by 19% compared to the previous year, according to data from The New York Times.
The reduction in funding for scientific research at American universities occurs against the backdrop of the Trump administration's policy aimed at reallocating funds and cutting unnecessary expenses. University leaders warn of potentially devastating consequences of this reduction.
At the same time, China is actively investing billions of dollars in its universities and creating attractive conditions for foreign researchers. In the fall, China began issuing special visas for graduates of advanced science and technology universities, allowing them to come to the country for study or business.
Ten years ago, two well-known universities in Beijing—Peking University and Tsinghua University—ranked 42nd and 47th in the Times Higher Education ranking, and now they are near the top 10: Tsinghua University is in 12th place, while Peking University is in 13th.
