Best universities in the Arab World 2026

Explore the top universities in the Arab world according to the Times Higher Education Arab University Rankings 2026

November 26 2025

Top universities in the Arab World 2026

Arab University Rank 2026	University	Overall	Teaching	Research Environment	Research Quality	Industry	International Outlook
1	King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)	68	48.1	44.8	98	99.3	98.8
2	King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals	62.5	36.3	43.2	94.9	94.4	92.9
3	Qatar University	59	32.4	38.1	93.7	79.1	94.5
4	King Saud University	58.8	38.2	33.8	92.7	89.1	84
5	Khalifa University	57.9	37.6	28	93	92.3	94.8
6	United Arab Emirates University	57.4	28.7	38.1	92.8	86.5	87.3
7	Abu Dhabi University	55.8	38	33.9	87.4	29.5	98
8	King Khalid University	55.3	41.2	31.6	83.3	58.4	88.2
9	Lebanese American University	54.8	36.8	32.5	90.6	32	80.8
10	The British University in Dubai	53.6	37.6	24.6	91.8	25.9	90.5
11	Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University	52.6	32	33.3	81.8	56.4	89.5
=12	Ahlia University	52.4	41	31.1	80.7	16.8	85.4
=12	University of Sharjah	52.4	23.5	27	94.8	44.7	98.7
14	Mohammed VI Polytechnic University	51.4	34.7	34.9	77.8	56.2	72.8
15	King Abdulaziz University	51.1	29.8	22.9	91.1	67.6	74.8
16	Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University	50.3	25.4	28.8	87.2	57.7	79.7
17	Al Ain University	50.1	28	30.2	83.1	18.6	99.1
18	Prince Sultan University (PSU)	49.8	19.2	29.6	91.2	51.8	82.1
19	Ajman University	49.5	25.8	28.7	83.8	22.8	99.5
20	Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University	48.4	29.3	21.8	85.7	33.1	85
21	Gulf University for Science and Technology	48.1	26.1	30	81.5	19.2	85.8
22	Umm Al-Qura University	47.6	35.4	25.3	78.9	34.5	63.2
23	Al-Ahliyya Amman University	47.4	18.6	24.7	84.8	56.9	93.8
24	Zayed University	47.1	21.8	21.7	88.2	59.5	73.7
25	American University of Sharjah	46.6	20.9	28.7	78.5	49.7	87.5
26	American University of the Middle East	45.6	29.1	19.5	79.3	27.7	85.6
27	Applied Science Private University	45.5	21.7	22.7	84.2	21.5	85.4
28	Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST)	45.1	30.7	27.4	75	40.8	53.3
29	Effat University	44.6	20	20.4	78.6	48.2	96.9
30	Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University	44.2	33.4	19.5	73.1	26.6	75.7
31	University of Dubai	44.1	22.2	22.5	77.6	20.2	92.6
32	Majmaah University	43.6	32.2	25.4	65.3	35.6	76
33	The University of Jordan	43.2	32	19.5	69.1	41.6	75.9
=34	American University in Cairo	43.1	30.1	25.9	66.5	33.9	71.9
=34	University of Nizwa	43.1	28.1	26	65.5	34	83
36	King Faisal University	43	25.6	14.8	78.8	40.4	78.4
37	Sultan Qaboos University	42.8	30.9	24.6	64.7	40.7	73.9
=38	Beirut Arab University	42.3	43	17.3	57	21.8	88.2
=38	Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University	42.3	33.2	22.1	61.4	36.6	83.1
40	Qassim University	42.2	30.5	19.3	67	29.7	84
41	Jouf University	41.8	23.8	17.6	76.6	25.6	75.5
42	Middle East University	41.4	14.6	19.7	79.9	17.8	89.4
43	Dhofar University	41.2	16.9	19	78.7	27.8	79.4
44	Taif University	41	16.2	16.4	82.7	23.3	76.3
45	Cairo University	40.5	29.4	20	68.8	42.7	48.6
46	Arabian Gulf University	40.2	45.2	13.8	49.1	29.2	93.4
47	University of Tunis El Manar	40.1	45.7	27.2	39.4	70.4	55.2
48	University of Tabuk	39.3	25.1	14.5	69.6	30.1	75.3
49	Northern Border University	38.9	26.5	15.8	65.9	26	75.3
50	King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences	38.7	44.6	19.6	46.4	45.5	55

Key insights from the Arab University Rankings 2026

Overall, 268 universities across 18 countries in the Middle East and North Africa are ranked.
The top university is Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
All the universities in the top five are in the Middle East, while universities situated in North Africa – including institutions in Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria – feature further down the list.
The most-represented country in the ranking is Iraq, with 57 universities altogether.
Many of the universities featured in the ranking are specialist science and technology universities.

Choosing a university in the Middle East and North Africa

When considering which university to choose in the Arab World, students will need to consider factors such as tuition costs, programme offerings, campus culture and location.

The table for the best universities in the Arab World was derived from data collected for the THE World University Rankings. The results are calculated using 18 performance indicators underlying five metrics: research environment, teaching (the learning environment), research quality, industry, and international outlook. However, the weightings have been recalibrated to reflect the priorities of Arab institutions. For more insight and a detailed breakdown of our ranking methodology, visit our methodology page. Use the Arab University Rankings table above to explore the right institution for you.

Best universities in the Arab World 2026

Explore the top universities in the Arab world according to the Times Higher Education Arab University Rankings 2026

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Top universities in the Arab World 2026

Key insights from the Arab University Rankings 2026

Choosing a university in the Middle East and North Africa

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Top universities in the Arab World 2026

Key insights from the Arab University Rankings 2026

Choosing a university in the Middle East and North Africa

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