Reputation and Experience

Global university rankings

Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide1 we are focused on addressing the critical challenges facing the tropics, in areas as diverse as Medicine, Dentistry, Marine Science, Nursing, Arts and Society.

Inspired by a research-rich environment, the significance of our endeavours is recognised globally by the most credible world university rankings providers. Our strong performance is assessed on quality, relevance and impact.

#1 in Australia
for median graduate salary2
#1 in Australia
for student support3
#1 in Australia
for learner engagement4
1 2024 ShanghaiRanking Academic Ranking of World Universities as a percentage of higher education providers in the International Association of Universities (IAU) database | 2 2020-2022 Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching Graduate Outcomes Survey, International UG graduates (working in Australia only) | 3 2024 Good Universities Guide, UG Engineering | 4 2024 Good Universities Guide, UG Pharmacy

JCU is uni... but not as you know it.

#1 in Qld for graduate salaries

JCU is top for salary outcomes, ranked #1 in QLD for median graduate salary by the Good Universities Guide 2024, at both undergraduate and postgraduate study levels.

We’re also ranked #1 in Australia for median graduate salary for international student graduates, in the QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2022.

JCU graduates are highly valued, emerging job-ready with the knowledge, confidence and practical experience to transition straight into the workplace.

#2 in the world for collaborative partnerships

In pursuit of the 17 United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, JCU is ranked:

  • #2 in the world for forming collaborative partnerships
  • #10 in the world for promoting good health and wellbeing
  • #19 in the world for encouraging gender equality
  • #22 in the world for supporting life on the land

by the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for 2024.

These goals represent a shared set of global priorities to achieve a more sustainable future and tackle global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.

A 5 star experience

JCU has held 5 Stars for teaching and employability in the QS Stars ranking since it began in 2021, along with 5 Stars for full-time employment, median graduate salary, student teacher ratio and social equity by the Good Universities Guide for 2024.

Career-focused courses provide an exceptional student experience, led by industry professionals who are passionate about sharing their expertise, because experience has no substitute.

Subject rankings: global highlights

Male and female students with lecturer in the field

Subject rankings: national highlights

Students looking at sediment samples.
Business students

1 2024 ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects | 2 2024 US News Best Global Universities Rankings | 3 2024 QS World University Rankings | 4 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by subject

More subject rankings

2 people in lab coats handling samples

Top 400 in the world

JCU is rated in the top 400 universities in the world by the ShanghaiRanking Academic Ranking of World Universities for 2024.

With research connections to more than 100 countries and 25 specialised research centres and institutes, JCU is connected to the world and globally engaged.

In Northern Australia, our locations in Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane attract international students from all over the world. JCU was also the first Australian university to establish a branch campus in Singapore.

Ranked world class for research

JCU achieved the ranking of ‘world class’ or higher in 83 percent of research fields, including eight as ‘well above world class’, by Excellence in Research for Australia for 2018.

Six JCU researchers who produced multiple highly cited papers are ranked in the top 1% for their field of research, by Web of Science for 2023.

These internationally recognised research outcomes are in fields including biodiversity, ecology and environments, global warming, marine sciences, public health care, tourism and tropical medicine.

JCU delivers global, ground-breaking research and discoveries that make a difference to people and societies, experiential learning, the built environment and the natural world.

Top 21 university in Australia1
5 stars for full-time employment
and graduate starting salary2
Top 2% university in the world3
1 2024 ShanghaiRanking Academic Ranking of World Universities | 2 2024 Good Universities Guide | 3 2024 ShanghaiRanking Academic Ranking of World Universities as a percentage of higher education providers in the International Association of Universities (IAU) database

Discover more JCU ratings and rankings