18 Pakistani universities ranked among world’s best for 2026

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Eighteen universities from Pakistan have secured places in the 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings, released by UK-based higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).

The rankings include over 1,500 institutions from more than 100 countries, making it one of the most prestigious global assessments of universities.

Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, remains Pakistan’s top-ranked institution, placed at 354 globally.

It is followed by the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), tied at 371.

Other institutions in the top 600 include the University of Punjab at 542 and the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) at 555.

The QS rankings evaluate universities on several indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, citations per faculty, international student and faculty presence, and sustainability performance.

Here is the full list of Pakistani universities featured in the 2026 rankings:

• 354: Quaid-e-Azam University

• 371: National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)

• 542: University of Punjab

• 555: Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)

• 654: University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

• 664: COMSATS University Islamabad

• 721–730: Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS)

• 761–770: Government College University, Faisalabad

• 801–850: University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore

• 901–950: University of Peshawar

• 951–1000: The University of Lahore

• 1001–1200: Aga Khan University

• 1001–1200: University of Karachi

• 1201–1400: Bahauddin Zakariya University

• 1201–1400: International Islamic University, Islamabad

• 1201–1400: Riphah International University

• 1201–1400: University of Management and Technology

• 1401+: The Islamia University of Bahawalpur

The rankings underscore the continued growth of Pakistan’s higher education sector and its expanding global academic presence.