Israeli Universities See Decline in Global Rankings

Eight Israeli academic departments ranked among the world's top 50 in the 2026 Shanghai Ranking for academic subjects, a decrease from 11 departments in 2023 and 2024. The Hebrew University's communication department ranked highest among Israeli departments at 17th globally, followed by the Technion's aerospace engineering department at 19th. The University of Haifa's public administration department saw a significant jump to 28th globally, marking a notable success.

Overall university rankings also show a decline, with only two Israeli universities in the top 100 for the first time since 2020, down from three in previous years. The Technion fell out of the top 100, while the Weizmann Institute (71st) and the Hebrew University (89th) maintained their positions.

The Hebrew University, which has consistently placed four departments in the top 50, now has eight departments in the top 100. The Technion has two departments in the top 50, down from three in 2024. The Weizmann Institute and the University of Haifa each have one department in the top 50.

In mathematics, the Hebrew University dropped from 14th to 24th, while the Weizmann Institute improved its standing to 38th. The Technion ranked 35th in chemistry but fell out of the top 50 in electrical engineering. Notably, no Israeli institution made the top rankings in civil engineering.

Computer science remains a challenge, with only Tel Aviv University appearing in the top 100 (76-100 range), while the Technion is ranked between 101-150. In the newer field of artificial intelligence, the Technion is ranked 101-150 and Tel Aviv University 201-300.

Business administration saw only Tel Aviv University in the lower rankings (301-400), contrasting with public administration where the Hebrew University ranked 44th and the University of Haifa achieved its significant rise to 28th. The Shanghai Ranking, established in 2003, assesses academic research quality across 57 subjects, evaluating approximately 2,000 universities worldwide.