The University of Namibia drops below the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings for the 2026 version
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has experienced a significant setback, dropping out of the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 for the first time since 2021. This decline is part of a broader trend where several Latin American universities, including Universidade de São Paulo and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, also fell out of the top 100 that year.
Despite this drop, UNAM remains the top university in Mexico and continues to hold a strong regional standing as the fourth best in Latin America. The university improved its position in another global ranking (Ranking Webometrics), moving up to 122nd globally, reflecting solid scientific visibility, digital presence, and international academic impact.
Experts attribute UNAM's drop to both internal challenges and broader regional trends, including difficulty attracting global talent and boosting research output. The university struggled in areas like international student presence and learning experience, scoring 5.4 and 47.1 respectively. However, UNAM maintained strong scores in academic reputation (99.2) and employability (97.9).
The QS World University Rankings 2026 once again saw institutions from the United States and the United Kingdom dominating the top spots, with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retaining the top position. The ranking evaluates over 1500 institutions worldwide based on indicators such as academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, internationalization, research impact, and sustainability.
UNAM's decline serves as a wake-up call for Mexican higher education, highlighting the growing competitiveness of the global academic landscape and the need to adapt to evolving international standards. The fall from the top 100 has sparked debate within academic circles about the need for renewed investment in internationalization, innovation, and research infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the city of Mazatlán is celebrating its 490th anniversary since its founding. UNAM, as a cornerstone of higher education in Latin America, continues to play a crucial role in the region's academic landscape.
[1] QS World University Rankings 2026 [2] UNAM in QS World University Rankings 2026 [4] UNAM's Regional Ranking
[1] The QS World University Rankings 2026 show a shift in the global academic landscape, with several Latin American universities, including UNAM, Universidade de São Paulo, and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, dropping out of the top 100.
[4] Despite dropping out of the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, UNAM remains the top university in Mexico and the fourth-best in Latin America, improved its position in the Ranking Webometrics, moving up to 122nd globally.
