9 DMV Universities Named to World's Top Universities of 2026 by 'Time'

The prestigious ranking featured several Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. colleges, with one making the top 50.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Time magazine has released its inaugural ranking of the 'World's Top Universities,' and the DMV region is well represented, with nine area colleges making the list of the top 500 public and private universities globally. Johns Hopkins University in Maryland ranked the highest at No. 12, while the University of Virginia was the top Virginia school at No. 47. Other notable DMV universities on the list include Georgetown University, George Washington University, and several other public institutions from Virginia, Maryland, and D.C.

Why it matters

This prestigious global ranking highlights the academic excellence and reputation of several universities in the DMV region, showcasing the area as a hub for higher education. The inclusion of these schools on the list could boost their profiles, attract more applicants, and strengthen their standing among the world's top institutions.

The details

The Time ranking was created in partnership with Statista R and considered factors like academic capacity, performance, innovation, economic impact, and global engagement. To be eligible, universities had to be at least 3 years old, offer bachelor's degrees, and enroll more than 2,000 students. They also had to have at least one highly cited researcher on faculty, be among the most renowned institutions, or apply through an open call.

  • Time magazine released the 'World's Top Universities' ranking on February 10, 2026.

The players

Johns Hopkins University

A private research university in Baltimore, Maryland, that ranked No. 12 on the list.

University of Virginia

A public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia, that was the top-ranked Virginia school at No. 47.

Georgetown University

A private research university in Washington, D.C., that ranked No. 117 on the list.

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The takeaway

The inclusion of multiple DMV universities on Time's 'World's Top Universities' list demonstrates the region's strength in higher education, with institutions like Johns Hopkins, UVA, and Georgetown earning global recognition for their academic programs, research, and impact.