Global recognition for UH Mānoa: 14 programs shine in new rankings

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Fourteen University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa academic subjects were ranked among the world's best in the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject, released on March 25.

Four subjects placed in the top 100 in the world and top 22 in the nation. Leading the way was geology (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51-100 in the world), geophysics (No. 19 in the U.S. and No. 51-100 in the world), Earth and marine sciences (No. 21 in the U.S. and No. 51-100 in the world) and linguistics (No. 22 in the U.S. and No. 61 in the world).

Ten additional subjects placed in the world's top 2% (within top 500 in the world out of more than 25,000 colleges and universities worldwide):

• English language and literature: No. 28 U.S., No. 101-150 world
• Agriculture and forestry: No. 30 U.S., No. 151-200 world
• Anthropology: No. 31 U.S., No. 101-200 world
• Modern languages: No. 41 U.S., No. 251-300 world
• Environmental sciences: No. 66 U.S., No. 351-400 world
• Communication and media studies: No. 68 U.S., No. 251-275 world
• Physics and astronomy: No. 70 U.S., No. 401-450 world
• Education: No. 78 U.S., No. 351-400 world
• Medicine: No. 99 U.S., No. 451-500 world
• Biological sciences: No. 100 U.S., No. 451-500 world

"These rankings highlight the exceptional work and commitment of our faculty, students and staff," UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos said. "They showcase the university's global standing and reinforce that UH Mānoa offers outstanding educational opportunities and experiences for both our local community and those joining us from around the world."

UH Mānoa was ranked in three broad subject areas and 14 narrow subject areas. The QS World University Rankings by Subject are calculated using five criteria: academic reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs by asking academic experts to nominate universities based on their subject area of expertise), employer reputation (measures the reputation of institutions and their programs among employers), research citations per paper (measures the impact and quality of the scientific work done by institutions, on average per publication), H-index (measures both the productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or scholar) and international research network (measure of an institution's success in creating and sustaining research partnerships with institutions in other locations).

The 2026 edition of the rankings by global higher education analyst Quacquarelli Symonds analyzed the performance of more than 18,300 university programs, taken by students at more than 1,700 universities in 100 locations around the world.

Other rankings

UH Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

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INTRO:

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is making waves on the global and national stage for academic and research excellence.

VO:

In the latest 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject, 14 Mānoa programs ranked among the world's best.

Four subjects - including geology, geophysics, Earth and marine sciences and linguistics - placed in the top 100 worldwide and top 22 in the nation.

Ten more programs ranked in the world's top 2%, highlighting strengths in fields from English and anthropology to physics and medicine.

UH Mānoa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos says the rankings reflect the dedication of faculty, students and staff, and showcase the university's growing impact both in Hawaiʻi and around the globe.