UMS World Ranking Notes: Indonesia's Best Private University and Inclusion in QS Asia
Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) has reaffirmed its dominance as a private university (PTS) and the best Islamic campus in Indonesia. Globally, UMS remains at 741-750 in the QS World University Rankings Asia 2026. In the QS World University Rankings Sustainability 2026, UMS is in the global ranking range of 1401-1500. In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, UMS again shares the top position with Binus University as the best private campus and the best Islamic campus in Indonesia. At the national level, UMS ranks first in the indicator for research quality with a score of 60.5, and shares third place with five other universities. Globally, UMS sits at 1201-1500.
Rector Prof Harun Joko Prayitno explained that the positions in the various rankings reflect the campus’s standing and reputation both nationally and internationally. “THE and QS we must take seriously, because these rankings are recognised by the government,” he said, on Thursday (5 March 2026). However, he stressed that other rankings should also be addressed as part of efforts to improve the university’s quality. Harun disclosed that governance and development at UMS continually prioritise a progressive, sustainable, transformative process that is impactful, reputable, and serves as a catalyst for change. Therefore, governance and development in both academic and institutional spheres are grounded in the pillar of relentless innovation that is adaptive, productive, progressive, and moderate, especially in implementing the catur dharma.
“At the name of the leadership and Rector of UMS, I urge all components and the UMS academic community to move forward together in realising One UMS as The Best Private University in the World. The prerequisite for becoming the best is moving collectively, not walking alone,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nurgiyatna, Director of the Directorate for Reputation, Partnerships, and International Affairs (DRKUI) at UMS, explained that rankings are not merely about positions or numbers. He noted that by engaging with rankings, the university will find it easier to build networks, particularly with leading higher education institutions abroad. He added that each ranking has indicators that illustrate university quality, such as research performance, the quality and quantity of staff, and student–staff ratio. These indicators serve as benchmarks as well as key performance indicators for a high-quality university, aligned with the world-class university predicated.
Participation in global university rankings, he continued, should be pursued and interpreted as part of fastabiqul khairat, built through substantive steps to enhance the quality of higher education while upholding Islamic values. “Our rankings should be used as a measure of an excellent, globally competitive institution that is advancing,” he said.
In THE World University Rankings 2026 by Subject for Education, UMS records a global ranking of 601-800. At the national level, UMS is fourth (joint) and again ranks first (joint) as Indonesia’s best private university in that field. In the Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026, also part of THE, UMS sits joint third for the Private Technical School (PTS) category in Indonesia. Globally, UMS sits within the 601-800 range.
Meanwhile, in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, UMS shows tangible contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Overall, UMS is fifth (joint) for the PTS category in Indonesia with a global ranking of 1001-1500.
More specifically, for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), UMS is nationally fourth (joint), first (joint) among Indonesian PTS, and globally 70th (joint). For SDG 4 (Quality Education), UMS is national fifth (joint), first (joint) in the Indonesian PTS category, and globally 73rd (joint). These achievements reinforce UMS’s position as a competitive private university at both national and international levels, reflecting the institution’s consistency in advancing the tridharma of higher education and its contribution to sustainable development.