In the 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings, published on June 19, 2025, Sapienza was ranked first among Italian generalist universities, 128th in the world, and second in Italy after the Politecnico di Milano. This is Sapienza's highest ever ranking in this prestigious international ranking.

In particular, Sapienza is Italy's top-ranked university for Employment outcomes (92nd in the world), which is based on the employment rate and career prospects of its graduates in the labour market. It is also the top-ranked Italian university for International research networks (61st in the world), which is based on the rate of scientific publications with international co-authors, and Academic reputation (65th in the world), which is based on surveys completed by over 127,000 lecturers and researchers worldwide.

“It is a matter of great satisfaction and deep pride for our academic community to be the first generalist university in Italy in the QS World University Rankings,” says Rector Antonella Polimeni. “This is the best ranking Sapienza has ever achieved in this prestigious global ranking. It portrays us as a university that is continuously growing, capable of interpreting contemporary challenges while remaining faithful to its public mission and the value of knowledge as a common good. This award recognises the daily efforts of lecturers, researchers, technical and administrative staff, and students who contribute to building a public university capable of innovation, inclusion, and the generation of social value with passion and competence. In an increasingly competitive international context, Sapienza has achieved three national firsts in key areas: employment outcomes, international research networks and academic reputation, recognised by a vast community of scholars worldwide.” Rector Polimeni concludes: “These results are not the result of chance, but of the timely implementation of a clear and coherent vision based on effective educational paths, the internationalisation of research and teaching, transdisciplinarity, and constant dialogue with our country's productive sector and institutions.“

The QS World University Rankings, produced by the British agency Quacquarelli Symonds, are among the most important in the international arena. This year's edition considered more than 8,400 universities and ranked the top 1,500 in 106 countries.