RankINGS BY RAEX AGENCY OF TOP UNIVERSITIES ACROSS 35 SPECIFIC SUBJECT AREAS
Spicing Up the Rankings: Russia's Top Universities by Subject
Once again, the RAEX rating agency has dropped the knowledge bomb, publishing a fresh list of the best Russian universities across 35 subject areas. This fourth installment of the "Three Missions of the University" series is packed with insightful data based on a mix of statistics, data from educational institutions, and a whole lotta media monitoring, social media snooping, and online course aggregation.
The top dog, Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU), ruled an impressive 13 categories, stealing the show in all natural science disciplines. MSU didn't stop there; it also took the gold in pedagogy, law, and economic-adjacent subjects. Following closely behind, St. Petersburg State University (SPbSU) bagged 13 subjects and the Higher School of Economics (HSE) nabbed 12.
Moscow and St. Petersburg host a whopping 66 of the top 200 universities—just sayin'. But let's face it; the top spots were mainly schmoozed by Moscow's elite squad. HSE, the gutsy underdog, flew high in social sciences, crushing it in economics, management, sociology, and psychology. The Moscow State Technical University named after N.E. Bauman (MSTU) snagged gold in mechanical engineering, robotics, aerospace engineering, and land transport technology.
Meanwhile, Sechenov University held steady in medicine and pharmacy, Timiryazev Agricultural Academy triumphed in agriculture and agronomy, and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) returned to the big leagues in electronics, radiotechnology, and communication systems, as well as nuclear energy technology. These powerhouses kept the tech and science sectors bubbling with fresh minds.
The Phystech School has been_, well, phyched (that's a phrase now), in information technology for the second year straight. The Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (MISIS) made a fine impression in materials technology, and the Financial University comfortably dominated hospitality education.
St. Petersburg universities turned up the heat in shipbuilding and water transport (SPbMTU), construction (SPbPU Peter the Great), and light industry technologies (SPbGUPTD). Looking beyond the Northistani twins, Tatarstan pumps out 10 universities, Rostov Oblast six, Novosibirsk, Nizhny Novgorod, and Saratov...drumroll...five each. But let's give a shoutout to Tomsk Polytechnic University, the lone ranger sitting pretty in energy, electrical engineering, and chemical technologies.
The standout performer this year? Ural Federal University, which welcomed a stunning 25 rankings—that's a lot of A-grades. Not too shabby for a uni outside the capital. Moscow's RUDN University came in second with 23 rankings, and Rostov's Southern Federal University snatched 22.
Enrichment Data:It turns out, the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI is still a force to reckon with, consistently ranking in the TOP 5 across multiple subject areas[1]. Specializing in nuclear engineering, physics, and related STEM fields, MEPhI keeps momentum.
Kazan State Power Engineering University punches above its weight, ranking an impressive 6th overall[2], demonstrating its prowess in energy-focused disciplines.
MGIMO University steals the spotlight as Russia's leading institution for international relations and political science education, landing at the 7th spot in the overall RAEX ranking[4].
With subject-specific rankings still under wraps in some areas, RAEX's 2025 rankings solidify the continued dominance of specialized technical universities, backed by MGIMO's reign in humanities-focused areas[1][2][4]. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates on Russia's top higher learning institutions!
- The National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, known for its expertise in nuclear engineering, physics, and STEM fields, remains a significant player, consistently ranking among the top universities in multiple subject areas.
- Kazan State Power Engineering University impresses with its sixth overall ranking, showcasing its strength in energy-focused disciplines.
- In the realm of international relations and political science education, MGIMO University emerges as Russia's leading institution, holding the seventh position in the overall RAEX ranking.
- As subject-specific rankings for some areas are yet to be revealed, the 2025 rankings reaffirm the continued dominance of specialized technical universities, with MGIMO maintaining its position in the humanities-focused areas.
