Here are the top universities in North America, according to a new 2025 ranking
The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025 assess universities worldwide based on their commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – which totals 17. While Canada boasts seven institutions in the top 50 of the overall ranking, U.S. representation has dropped. In North America, only three institutions made the global top 10. Arizona State University (Tempe) and Queen’s University tied for sixth globally while the University of Alberta place eighth.
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1. Arizona State University (Tempe), U.S. Tied for sixth globally and for first in the U.S., ASU leads on the UN’s SDG 14: Life below water, with strong environmental research impact. (AP Photo/Matt York)
2. Queen’s University, Canada Ranked sixth globally, Queen’s is the world’s top university for addressing zero hunger (SDG 2) and excels in sustainability initiatives. (Lars Hagberg/The Canadian Press)
3. University of Alberta, Canada At number eight globally, Alberta shines in SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure — connecting research to real-world challenges. (University of Alberta)
4. McMaster University, Canada Tied for 14th place, McMaster leads on SDGs 1 and 3, addressing poverty and public health through deep community ties. (McMaster University)
5. University of Victoria, Canada Sitting 14th with McMaster, UVic ranks second globally for sustainable cities (SDG 11) and is a climate action frontrunner (SDG 13). (University of Victoria)
6. Western University, Canada Sharing 14th place with McMaster and U of Vic, Western excels in SDG 8 and champions decent work and economic growth through innovative programs. (Nicole Osborne/The Canadian Press)
7. Simon Fraser University, Canada Ranked 35th on the global scale, SFU is celebrated for its leadership in clean energy and inclusive urban development. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
8. York University, Canada Coming in at 38 globally, York’s impact is rooted in equity, social justice, and strong institutional partnerships. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press) (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
9. Université Laval, Canada Laval’s standout efforts in responsible consumption and sustainable production earn global recognition. It is ranked 52nd globally. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press) (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
10. Université de Montréal, Canada At 55th globally, this Québec institution is known for interdisciplinary approaches to health, society, and sustainability. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press) (The Canadian Press)
11. Michigan State University, U.S. Tied at 61, MSU promotes community-led development and inclusive teaching aligned with multiple SDGs. (AP Photo/Al Goldis) (AP)
12. Penn State (Main campus), U.S. Penn State contributes significantly to environmental education and climate resilience, according to THE. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)
13. Florida International University, U.S. Ranked 71st, FIU is lauded for outreach and impact in underrepresented communities across Miami and beyond. (Florida International University)
14. Dalhousie University, Canada Tied at 88, Dalhousie excels in marine sustainability and SDG 14 research on ocean conservation. (Darren Pittman/The Canadian Press) (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
15. Lakehead University, Canada Ranked 11th in Canada and 15th in North America, Lakehead says their ranking "shines a light on the work we do to remove barriers to accessing university education." (Lakehead University)
16. Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada Placed in the 101–200 band, TMU is fast rising for urban innovation and social equity work. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press) (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
17. University of Minnesota, U.S. Joining the 101–200 bracket, Minnesota is advancing sustainability through strong agricultural and health initiatives. (The University of Minnesota)
18. University of Saskatchewan, Canada Within the 101–200 range globally, Saskatchewan focuses on climate research and food security in northern regions. (Heywood Yu/The Canadian Press) (The Canadian Press)
19. University of Waterloo, Canada Known for tech and environmental science, Waterloo places in the 101–200 tier with strong SDG 7 performance. (Nicole Osborne/The Canadian Press) (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
20. Carleton University, Canada Carleton is recognized for contributions to civic engagement and urban planning. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
21. Iowa Sate University, U.S. Iowa State emphasizes renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. It ranks in the 201 – 300 tier. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (The Associated Press)
22. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S. Despite global prestige, MIT ranks in the 201–300 bracket for its mixed SDG submissions. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) (AP)
23. Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada Situated at 201 – 300 on the global ranking, Memorial leads in ocean sustainability and regional development. (Paul Daly/The Canadian Press) (The Canadian Press)
24. New Jersey Institute of Technology, U.S. In the 201–300 tier, NJIT focuses on infrastructure innovation and inclusive STEM outreach. (NJIT)
25. North Carolina State University, U.S. Ranked 201 – 300, NC State integrates clean tech and sustainable industry solutions into its curriculum. (NC State University)
26. Oklahoma State University, U.S. OSU is expanding research in clean water, agriculture, and poverty alleviation. (OSU)
27. Purdue University West Lafayette, U.S. At the 201 – 300 level, Purdue supports energy, innovation, and ethical research frameworks. (Purdue University)
28. University of Maryland, Baltimore County, U.S. This public research university ranks in the 201–300 tier, noted for SDG-aligned public engagement. (UMBC)
29. University of Ottawa, Canada Tied in the 201 – 300 band, Ottawa is recognized for strong work in law, health, and multilingual outreach. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) (The Canadian Press)
30. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, U.S. Rounding out the top 30, Virginia Tech ranks 201–300 on the global scale with programs in environmental stewardship and policy leadership. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) (AP)
