UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State remained in the top three in the U.S. and moved up globally from No. 47 to No. 40 out of nearly 1,600 international institutions that participated in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings. This ranking places Penn State in the top 2.5% of higher education institutions worldwide. The rankings were more competitive this year, with 1,591 institutions participating — almost a 13% increase from last year. 

The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global goals adopted by all U.N. member states that look to improve life for all people and protect the planet. According to THE, the rankings are calculated using calibrated indicators to provide comprehensive and balanced comparison across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. 

In addition to being in the top 2.5% overall, Penn State also had strong showings across the individual SDGs.  

The University’s top ranks were in SDG 14, Life Below Water, ranking third in the U.S. and ninth in the world; SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, ranking first in the U.S. and 11th in the world; SDG 15, Life on Land, ranking fourth in the U.S. and 32nd in the world; and SDG 2, Zero Hunger, ranking seventh in the U.S. and 35th in the world. Penn State also had a strong showing in SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals, placing in the top 200 worldwide.

Penn State’s ranking is due in part to its breadth and depth of impactful research, including its strength as Pennsylvania’s land-, space-, sun- and sea-grant university.

“Given the University mission and the Penn State commitment to sustainability across all our colleges and campuses, I'm delighted that our faculty, staff and students continue to be recognized as world-class in the innovation and impact of our collective research,” said Roger Brindley, vice provost for Penn State Global. “The fact that Penn State is now considered in the top 40 ‘impact’ universities in the world and third in the United States reflects the remarkable and powerful research of a globally engaged land-grant university, and our continuing dedication to positive societal change in our local and global communities.” 

Penn State is a member of the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), which promotes integrated approaches to implement the SDGs through education, research, policy analysis, and global cooperation. SDSN members work closely with businesses and governments, particularly around the development and scaling up of new solutions. Penn State faculty conduct research and provide expertise that informs policy development.  

“The University is committed to impactful, sustainable activities that contribute to the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals, both locally and globally,” said Lara Fowler, director of the Sustainability Institute at Penn State and the University’s chief sustainability officer. “We want to uplift the unique work being advanced in these areas, so we’ve emphasized these SDGs for reporting. We also recognize Penn State’s strengths in other areas such as SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). For example, Penn State's Earth System Science Center uses climate system models to understand the climate system and develop modeling tools to serve Penn State and the broader community. Penn State’s Center for Energy Law and Policy provides a hub for interdisciplinary research around pressing energy issues where technology, social and legal frameworks are ingredients to successful policy design implementation. 

Learn more about Penn State’s efforts to address the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals here. 

“This kind of interdisciplinary work is critical,” said Fowler. “If we are going to figure out how to solve critical challenges and find solutions, we need to be working together. This means cutting across boundaries, understanding each other’s language, and finding a path forward.” 

The rankings also measure local impact, which reflects the University’s core missions of service and engagement. This includes outreach through programs such as Penn State Extension, as well as the University’s various facilities, including The Arboretum at Penn State, Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, the Student Farm at Penn State, and Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center. 

The rankings were announced at the THE Global Sustainable Development Congress on June 1 in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. The four-day event saw leaders and administrators from around the world come together around the theme of “Uniting higher education, governments, industry and society for a sustainable future.”