Best universities in the Netherlands 2026
Discover the ̽»¨ÊÓƵ rankings for the best universities in the Netherlands 2026.
This list of universities reveals the top-ranked 12 institutions, offering prospective students insights into the highest-ranking universities in the country.
Universities across the Netherlands are evaluated based on teaching, research, and international outlook.
The rankings use a robust methodology, created by the in-house data team, relied upon by students, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders worldwide.
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Top universities ranked in the Netherlands 2026
| Netherlands Rank 2026 | WUR Rank 2026 | University | Overall | Teaching | Research Environment | Research Quality | Industry | International Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 57 | Delft University of Technology | 74.3 | 64.1 | 75.1 | 75.5 | 100 | 92.1 |
| 2 | =62 | University of Amsterdam | 73.7 | 55.4 | 63.6 | 96.6 | 76 | 92.5 |
| 3 | 66 | Wageningen University & Research | 72.2 | 58.6 | 58.4 | 90.4 | 99.5 | 91.6 |
| 4 | =70 | Leiden University | 71.3 | 49.3 | 63.3 | 93.6 | 99.1 | 85.2 |
| 5 | 82 | University of Groningen | 69.3 | 47.4 | 55.9 | 94.1 | 99.7 | 91.7 |
| 6 | 107 | Erasmus University Rotterdam | 65.6 | 38.5 | 52.9 | 95.9 | 89.2 | 87.1 |
| 7 | =131 | Maastricht University | 63.2 | 41.4 | 46.1 | 88.3 | 98.3 | 96.7 |
| 8 | =154 | Radboud University Nijmegen | 61.5 | 38.5 | 49.7 | 89.3 | 82.1 | 75.9 |
| 9 | =176 | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | 60.2 | 37.7 | 41.8 | 91.8 | 77.5 | 84.3 |
| 10 | =190 | University of Twente | 59.3 | 45.7 | 45 | 73 | 98.9 | 92.4 |
| 11 | =192 | Eindhoven University of Technology | 59.2 | 47.7 | 49.5 | 67 | 100 | 88.6 |
| 12 | 301–350 | Tilburg University | 51.6–54.2 | 29.1 | 42.9 | 73.8 | 78.9 | 85.2 |
Key insights into the best universities in the Netherlands
- Delft University of Technology maintains its first place postition as the top university in the Netherlands.Â
- Twelve universities from the Netherlands are ranked in the ̽»¨ÊÓƵ World University Rankings 2026
- Eindhoven University of Technology dropped in the World University Ranking from joint 185th to joint 192nd. Â
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam  slipped from 136th to joint 176th position globally.
- Maastricht University scores highly for its links to industry
Choosing the right university in the Netherlands
Studying in the Netherlands is becoming more and more popular among international students, partly because of the ample array of world-leading Dutch universities that teach in English.
The best colleges and schools in the Netherlands are found in 11 cities. All of the Dutch universities in the ̽»¨ÊÓƵ World University Rankings feature in the top 350, highlighting the strength of its high education offering.Â
All Dutch universities in the ranking teach more than 40 different undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in English, and some – such as Leiden University – teach well over 100 degrees in English.
Choosing the right university in the Netherlands can feel overwhelming for students, and these rankings offer valuable guidance. They reflect five key factors: research environment, teaching quality, research quality, industry collaboration, and international outlook. For more details on the ranking methodology, visit the World University Rankings methodology page.
