The 2026 QS World University Rankings no longer include UNAM among the top 100 institutions.
UNAM's Mixed Fortunes in Global Academic Rankings
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has seen a fluctuating position in global academic standings over recent years. Despite regional acclaim for its strong output of tech and engineering graduates, UNAM's global position has not shown significant upward movement, according to the QS World University Rankings 2026.
UNAM's regional prowess is evident, bolstering Mexico's reputation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. However, top global rankings remain dominated by universities from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, with Mexican institutions generally outside the top 100, including UNAM [1].
Internal challenges within UNAM also contribute to this stagnation. Institutional gender bias and systemic promotion issues have been highlighted as factors that could hinder academic advancement at the university. Despite women often outperforming men in research output, their promotion rates lag, pointing to biases that could impede optimal talent utilization [2].
Moreover, the broader regional environment poses challenges for UNAM. Competition for talent, infrastructural limitations, and funding constraints may limit its ability to climb higher in global rankings, as these increasingly emphasize international diversity, research impact, and global engagement metrics [1][4].
In 2024, UNAM was among the top 100 best universities in the world according to the QS World University Rankings. However, the university has since dropped out of the top 100 for the 2026 edition, falling from 93rd place in 2023 to 136th place in 2025, marking its lowest position in over a decade [3].
This decline serves as a wake-up call for Mexican higher education, highlighting the growing competitiveness of the global academic landscape and the need to adapt to evolving international standards. The debate within academic circles has focused on the need for renewed investment in internationalization, innovation, and research infrastructure [5].
UNAM remains the highest-ranked university in Mexico and continues to be a cornerstone of higher education in Latin America. The city of Mazatlán is also celebrating its 490th anniversary since its founding.
The following are the top 10 best universities in Mexico according to the QS World University Rankings 2024:
- Tecnológico de Monterrey
- Universidad de las Américas Puebla
- Universidad Iberoamericana
- Universidad Autónoma de México
- Universidad de Guadalajara
- Universidad de Monterrey
- Universidad del Valle de México
- Universidad Anáhuac
- Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
- Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana
Experts attribute UNAM's drop in rankings to both internal challenges and broader regional trends, including difficulty attracting global talent and boosting research output. UNAM maintained strong scores in academic reputation (99.2) and employability (97.9), but struggled in areas like international student presence (5.4) and learning experience (47.1) [4].
The QS World University Rankings evaluate over 1500 institutions worldwide based on indicators such as academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, internationalization, research impact, and sustainability [6]. The 2026 rankings were once again dominated by institutions from the United States and the United Kingdom, with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retaining the top spot.
In conclusion, while UNAM maintains a strong regional profile, especially in technology and engineering education, internal challenges like institutional gender bias and systemic promotion issues, along with intense global competition, constrain its rise in global academic standings. There is no indication from current data that UNAM has secured a substantially higher position in international rankings recently, though ongoing reforms and increased global collaboration could enhance its future status.
Read also:
- Setting Up and Expanding Operations at a Soil Blending Facility
- Surveying the Scene: Legality, Drones, and American Anti-Terror Strategy
- Regional University's healthcare system strengthened through collaborative partnership with Chancellor Dr Fiona Hill
- Reminisced University Trustee David M. Flaum as a 'fervent advocate' for the University and community
