CQUniversity number 25 in world impact rankings
CQUniversity Australia has been named among the world’s top 25 universities for its social, environmental and economic impact in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, released today.
Now ranked #25 globally, up from #52 in 2024, CQUniversity continues to build momentum as one of Australia’s most impactful universities when it comes to driving progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
The University’s standout achievements in the 2025 rankings include:
- #3 in the world (up from #9) for SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, out of 1,261 participating institutions
- #7 in the world (up from 101-200) for SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, out of 1,042 institutions
- #11 in the world (up from #50) for SDG 14: Life Below Water, out of 711 institutions
- #12 in the world (up from #13) for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, out of 2,389 (all participating institutions).
- #19 in the world (up from 101-200) for SDG 15: Life on Land, out of 854 participating institutions.
CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Nick Klomp said the University’s improved overall ranking was the result of long-term, institution-wide commitment to research, teaching and engagement that delivers real change.
“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised in the top 25 universities in the world for social impact,” Professor Klomp said.
“What makes this achievement even more meaningful is that it reflects the strength of our commitment to reducing inequality, improving agriculture and marine health, and forming deep, purposeful partnerships that benefit communities here in Australia and around the globe.”
The THE Impact Rankings assess more than 2,300 institutions worldwide against the UN SDGs, and measure of how universities are addressing global challenges.
“To see CQUniversity launch into the global top 20 in five categories shows that we are truly walking the talk when it comes to our commitment to the UN SDGs,” Professor Klomp said.
“CQUniversity’s success across a wide range of goals reaffirms its place as a national leader in sustainability and equity-focused higher education,” he continued.
“We’re a university that punches well above our weight - and that’s because we live and breathe our mission to create positive change through education and research.
“These rankings are further proof that regional universities can lead the way on the global stage.”
For the first time since the Impact Rankings were launched, CQUniversity has ranked in every category, with improvement in a number of SDGs including:
- SDG 4: Quality Education - 65th globally, up from 95th in 2024
- SDG 07: Affordable and Clean Energy – 35th globally (previously not ranked)
- SDG 08: Decent Work and Economic Growth – 201-300 globally, up from 301-400
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – 69th globally, up from 95th
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – 48th globally, up from 101-200
There are 17 SDGs, with participating institutions required to submit data on at least three, plus the mandatory Partnerships for the Goals category in order to receive an overall ranking.
Each SDG has a series of metrics that are used to evaluate the performance of the university on that SDG.
“Out of the 12 categories in which CQUniversity submitted, we placed in the top 100 for 10 - that’s something worth celebrating.”
Find out more about CQUniversity's results in this ranking by visiting the THE Impact Rankings website.
