Swiss higher education scores high marks in global ranking

Zurich's Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ) made it into the top ten best universities Keystone

According to a ranking published by the QS career and education website, Switzerland’s higher education system is rated 12^th in the world. Its two Federal Institutes of Technology also figured in the top 20 best universities. 

The country rankings, which were published on Wednesday, take into account the performance of universities in global rankings, chances of local residents to get into the best institutions, and a country’s wealth to performance ratio. 

Switzerland’s 12^th place was not enough to beat neighbours Germany (3^rd) and France (6^th) but just enough to outrank Italy (13^th). The US and Britain occupied the top two spots. 

While Switzerland ranked third in terms of the performance of its flagship institution, it came a dismal 29^th when assessed in terms of its wealth to performance ratio. 

The alpine nation’s universities achieved respectable results with Zurich’s Federal Institute of Technology clinching 9^th place, beating famous institutions like Princeton, Yale and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). 

The academic reputation (40%), citation of scientific publications per faculty (20%), and student-to-faculty ratio (20%) were given the highest weightings for the university rankings. 

Swiss universities did particularly well in terms of international faculty and citations per faculty.