ETH Zurich still the world’s best university in earth sciences and geophysics
In a total of 16 disciplines, the university ranks among the 10 best in the world. These are the latest results of the QS World University Rankings according to subject.
As in the last four years, ETH Zurich comes first in the following three disciplines: Earth and Marine Sciences, Geology and Geophysics. That is according to the World University Rankings by subject from the British analytics company Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
In the field of Civil and Structural Engineering, ETH is now the second best university in the world, having continually climbed to this position in recent years after coming 9th in 2021. Whereas ETH briefly dropped out of the top 10 in Agriculture and Forestry in 2024, it has now returned and stands in 7th place. Accordingly, the university ranks among the 10 best in the world in a total of 16 subjects. Unlike in previous years, ETH no longer ranks within the top 10 in Biological Sciences in 2025 (and is now in 13th place).
Overview of ETH Zurich top-10 rankings:
The QS Rankings take account of various indicators, placing considerable weight on the university’s academic reputation and its reputation with employers. Further indicators include published studies by scientists in the subject area and their international research network.
In the overall rankings by QS across all subjects, ETH Zurich is currently in 7th place. The overall rankings are published annually in June. ETH Zurich also holds leading positions in other university rankings as the highest-ranked university in Switzerland and often as the best-placed university outside the Anglo-American sphere. In the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings, ETH Zurich is currently in 11th place.