MSU among the best globally for education, kinesiology

May 9, 2024

Michigan State University is among the top institutes worldwide that offer programs in education and kinesiology, according to Quacquarelli Symonds’s annual World University Rankings by Subject.

Sparty statue is shown with sunlight behind.

MSU’s strengths in education were tied for #17 in the world in the “education and training” category and #8 in the U.S.

MSU was in the top 50 in the world for “sports-related subjects,” which is considered equivalent to Department of Kinesiology programs. In the U.S., MSU ranked in the top nine.

“Whether nationally or internationally, Michigan State University is recognized for its commitment to improving education, health and well-being,” said Jerlando F. L. Jackson, College of Education dean and MSU Research Foundation Professor. “These rankings acknowledge our continued success and strengths in these efforts.”

Photo of Erickson Hall
Erickson Hall, which houses three out of four of the college’s departments: Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education; Educational Administration; and Teacher Education

These rankings are the latest in a string of consecutive appearances by MSU in global rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds and others. Two other international rankings organizations also named MSU in the top 20 in the world for education in 2023.

This is the third straight year MSU has been listed in the top 50 worldwide and top 10 nationwide in Quacquarelli Symonds’ ranking of higher education institutions offering sports-related subjects.

Quacquarelli Symonds’ rankings are calculated via academic and employer reputation, research citations per paper and more.

Continued rankings success

The rankings also complement other, national rankings — including MSU’s #1 ranking in five educational program areas in the 2024 Best Graduate Schools in Education rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

A view of IM Circle.
IM Sports Circle, the home of the Department of Kinesiology

In 2023, the National Academy of Kinesiology also celebrated MSU by listing its doctoral program in Kinesiology in the nation’s top 11. The latter accolade was a 12-point increase from the previous rankings in 2020.