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How many institutions, and in how many locations, does the QS World University Rankings evaluate?

28 Sept 2026 · Answered by Premlata Shandilya · 1 min read
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The QS World University Rankings currently evaluates more than 1,418 institutions spread across 100 different locations globally. Universities are assessed using criteria such as academic reputation, employer reputation and internationalization, which together determine each institution's position, including where a school like Concordia University lands in the final list.

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Before you rely on a QS ranking number for any university, it helps to understand the scale behind it. QS is one of the most widely referenced ranking bodies, and it evaluates a very large pool of institutions each year.

QS World Rankings Coverage

MetricValue
Institutions Evaluated1,418+
Locations Covered100

How QS Ranks Universities

QS uses criteria such as academic reputation, employer reputation and internationalization, along with several other factors, to rank institutions against each other. A university's position can shift year on year as these underlying scores change.

My Advice

Given how many institutions QS compares, even a few hundred places apart can still mean both universities are strong performers globally. Use the ranking as a starting filter, then dig into program specific data before you shortlist your final options.

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