2 Israeli Universities Crack Top 100
Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Weizmann Institute of Science ranked 89th and 71st globally in 2026 Shanghai Ranking, while Hong Kong's University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong also make the cut
Two Israeli universities have been ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide in the 2026 Shanghai Ranking. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem was ranked 89th in the world, while the Weizmann Institute of Science came in at 71st.
The University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong, two prominent institutions from Hong Kong, also secured spots in the top 100. The University of Hong Kong was ranked 62nd in the world, a significant improvement from its previous ranking, while City University of Hong Kong was ranked 95th.
The Shanghai Ranking considered 2,500 universities worldwide for the 2026 ranking, using indicators such as the number of faculty and alumni who have received international prizes and the volume and quality of their publications in peer-reviewed journals. The top 10 spots in the 2026 Shanghai Ranking were held by universities from the United States and the UK, with Harvard University taking the top spot.
## What the rankings mean The Academic Ranking of World Universities, launched in 2003 by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, is considered a benchmark of academic excellence. The ranking is based on several indicators, including the number of alumni and staff who have won prestigious awards, as well as the number of papers published in top-tier journals. The ShanghaiRanking Consultancy took over the publication of the ranking six years after its launch.
## Why it matters The rankings are significant, as they reflect the academic excellence and research quality of universities worldwide. For Israel, the rankings come amidst concerns over a brain drain, with many highly skilled and educated Israelis moving abroad in recent years. The rankings also highlight the strong performance of Hong Kong's universities, with the University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong making significant gains in the global rankings.
The 2026 Shanghai Ranking is a testament to the academic excellence of universities worldwide, with institutions from the United States, UK, Israel, and Hong Kong making the top 100. As the ranking continues to be a benchmark of academic quality, universities will likely strive to improve their research output and academic excellence to climb the ranks in future years.
