Iranian Universities Plummet in Global Rankings: Unraveling the Causes and Impacts

The recent SCImago 2025 ranking has revealed a concerning trend in the global status of Iranian universities and educational institutions. This decline highlights the pressing challenges faced by these academic establishments in a highly competitive international landscape. SCImago, a prominent university ranking system, evaluates institutions based on various factors, including research output, innovation, and international collaboration.

Over the past four years, the rankings of Iranian universities have significantly dropped, indicating a steady downward trajectory. Among the top 20 universities in Iran, only Tehran Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences has managed to show a slight improvement, while all other institutions have faced a decline.

A Closer Look at the Decline

The most notable declines in rankings include:

• Isfahan University of Technology: Dropped 1,019 places.
• Shiraz University: Dropped 923 places.
• Tarbiat Modares University: Dropped 737 places.
• University of Science and Technology: Dropped 582 places.
• Sharif University of Technology: Dropped 524 places.

Case Studies: Leading Universities in Iran

A detailed examination of Iran’s top universities further underscores the severity of the decline:

• University of Tehran: Ranked 735th in 2022, fell to 739th in 2023, 827th in 2024, and plummeted to 1,030th in 2025.
• Tarbiat Modares University: Ranked 1,545th in 2022, then dropped to 1,795th in 2023, 2,015th in 2024, and further down to 2,752nd in 2025.
• Sharif University of Technology: Once a hub for Iranian elites, fell from 2,146th in 2022 to 2,542nd in 2023, and then dramatically to 3,614th in 2025.
• Amirkabir University of Technology: Declined from 2,301st in 2022 to 2,823rd in 2025.
• Shahid Beheshti University: Dropped from 3,953rd in 2022 to 4,732nd in 2025.

Key Factors Contributing to the Decline

Experts have identified several interrelated factors contributing to this troubling trend:

• Brain Drain: The emigration of students, researchers, and faculty members has severely impacted Iran’s academic standing.
• Funding Shortages: Decreased research budgets have limited access to essential equipment and resources.
• Reduced International Collaboration: Sanctions and political isolation have hindered partnerships with leading global universities.
• Mismanagement and Instability: Frequent leadership changes and non-scientific appointments have weakened institutional effectiveness.
• Lack of Strategic Planning: The absence of coherent policies for supporting scientific and research development has hindered Iranian universities’ ability to compete globally.

The Financial Constraints and Their Impact

Yousef Hojat, the rector of Tarbiat Modares University, has voiced concerns over the financial situation of Iranian universities. He stated that most funds are primarily directed towards operational expenses, leaving little for research. He noted that “the remaining budget for research has significantly decreased compared to past decades.”

The Growing Trend of Academic Emigration

Another significant challenge is the rising number of Iranian students and academics seeking education abroad. In 2024, the number of Iranian students in the top 10 study-abroad destinations increased to 110,000, representing an 82% rise since 2020. A study focused on the emigration of high-achieving students in mathematics and physics from 2008 to 2016 found that around 80% had left Iran. Notably, all top-10 students from the 2008 and 2009 national entrance exams have since emigrated.

The Decline in Research Output

The diminishing production of scientific publications is another alarming trend affecting Iranian universities. Contributing factors include:

• Limited access to high-quality academic resources.
• Inadequate research infrastructure.
• Weak integration into international scientific networks.

As research output is a critical criterion in global university rankings, this decline further exacerbates Iran’s academic challenges.

Addressing the Crisis: Possible Solutions

Education experts propose several actionable measures to reverse the decline:

• Strengthening international cooperation.
• Creating incentives for researchers and students to remain in Iran.
• Enhancing research quality and aligning universities with global ranking criteria.
• Improving faculty-to-student ratios.
• Increasing research funding and modernizing facilities.
• Reforming university leadership and prioritizing merit-based appointments.

The Broader Socioeconomic Context

Beyond academia, the root causes of brain drain in Iran extend to broader governance and economic challenges. Factors such as:

• Political repression.
• Institutionalized corruption.
• Economic instability.
• Inflation and sanctions.
• Low salaries.

These issues have made emigration an appealing option for the nation’s brightest minds.

Conclusion

Iran’s declining academic rankings are indicative of deeper structural issues within the country’s higher education system and governance. To address these challenges, a strategic policy shift, increased investment in research, and a commitment to fostering an environment where academic talent can flourish are essential. Without meaningful reforms, Iran risks further losing its global academic standing, exacerbating the exodus of its brightest individuals to more supportive environments abroad.