Missoula, MT — Montana State University (MSU) has secured a prominent spot on the world stage, ranking within the top 3.7% of universities globally, according to the 2025 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR).
The annual rankings, released June 2, evaluated more than 21,000 higher education institutions worldwide, assessing them on objective criteria including education quality, graduate employability, faculty achievements, and research output.
MSU earned the 791st position overall and stood out as the highest-ranked university in Montana. The university’s research efforts were particularly notable, with a ranking of 756th worldwide, while its employability ranking was 1,480th. On the national level, MSU placed 174th among U.S. universities.
The CWUR methodology sets itself apart by relying on measurable factors rather than surveys or self-reported data. Its four equally weighted indicators gauge alumni success relative to university size, professional outcomes of graduates, faculty recognition, and scholarly publications in leading academic journals.
Steve Swinford, vice president for student success at MSU, highlighted the significance of the rankings in reflecting the university’s commitment to student achievement and academic excellence. “Our students, faculty, and staff work hard to create a welcoming community and make Montana State University the best experience and education it can possibly be,” he said. “It’s an honor to see our work recognized on a global scale.”
This recognition reinforces MSU’s status as a leading research institution. Earlier this year, the university was recertified as a top-tier R-1 research university by the Carnegie Classification, a prestigious designation that acknowledges the highest levels of research activity.
MSU’s growth continues beyond academics. Last fall, the university surpassed 17,000 students for the first time in its history, marking a significant milestone for higher education in Montana.
The university offers robust support for its growing student body through various resources such as the Office for Student Engagement, the Travis W. Atkins Veteran Support Center, the MSU Writing Center, and the Dr. Christopher B. Lofgren Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Statistics.
For more information on the CWUR rankings, visit cwur.org.
