Editor’s note: This story is being highlighted in ASU Now’s year in review. Read more top stories from 2020.
For years, Arizona State University has been recognized globally for its top-ranked academic programs, and 2020 is no different.
Shanghai Ranking released its annual Global Ranking of Academic Subjects on June 29, rating more than 4,000 universities across 54 subjects in natural sciences, engineering, life sciences, medical sciences and social sciences. ASU made some notable achievements, ranking significantly higher than in 2019 in at least five subjects, while ranking in the top 20 nationally in at least eight subjects.
In the W. P. Carey School of Business, ASU’s management program ranked fifth globally, up from seventh in 2019 — outranking Stanford, Georgetown and the University of Southern California. Business administration jumped from 26th to 16th place globally, while economics ranked 21st, up a few spots from the No. 25 position in 2019.
“We are thrilled our faculty’s scholarly research is being recognized as 21st in the world in economics, an increase of four places over last year, in addition to moving up two places to 5th in Management,” W. P. Carey Dean Amy Hillman said. "Overall, the W. P. Carey School of Business advanced 10 places since last year to 16th in the world. Our faculty research is at the highest tiers, and we’re grateful for the recognition.”
ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law is also celebrating higher global rankings in 2020, coming in at 15th — up from 23rd place in 2019, and besting other reputable institutions like Northwestern and Cornell.
“For ASU Law to move up a remarkable eight spots in just one year and achieve this prestigious honor as now the 15th top law school globally is incredible and a testament to the passion and innovation our students and faculty demonstrate each day,” ASU Law Dean Douglas Sylvester said. “Additionally, earlier this year we jumped three spots to become No. 24 in the U.S. News & World Report’s best law school rankings. It’s humbling to be recognized for our continued efforts to provide students the finest educational experience that helps them make an impact in their legal careers. My heartfelt congratulations to them and to our faculty and staff for their tremendous leadership.”
In the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, environmental science and engineering ranked 10th globally, a remarkable increase from the 39th spot in 2019, and outperformed Princeton, the University of Colorado at Boulder and Yale University.
“We are very proud of the recognition exemplified by the rise in rankings of our environmental engineering program,” said Ram Pendyala, director of the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment. “Our award-winning faculty are engaged in cutting edge research and are renowned for their work in advancing public health, cleaning the environment and combating climate change. Their contributions to improving the human condition around the world are truly inspirational.”
Shanghai Ranking used five criteria to rank thousands of universities across the globe, including the number of papers published in top journals and the number of faculty awards in the specific subjects. Below is a list of some of ASU’s best 2020 rankings based on subject.
Business administration
2020 world ranking: 16th
2020 national ranking: 14th
Economics
2020 world ranking: 21st
2020 national ranking: 17th
Education
2020 world ranking: 17th
2020 national ranking: 14th
Environmental science and engineering
2020 world ranking: 10th
2020 national ranking: Seventh
Geography
2020 world ranking: 24th
2020 national ranking: Fourth
Law
2020 world ranking: 15th
2020 national ranking: 15th
Management
2020 world ranking: Fifth
2020 national ranking: Third
Telecommunication engineering
2020 world ranking: 76th–100th
2020 national ranking: 10th–12th
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