Saint Louis University World Ranking

Do you know? At Saint Louis University, 1866 undergraduates (i.e. 98% of the entire undergrads student body) receive financial aid, with the average package totalling $34,316. The majority of this aid is provided through grants and scholarships, ensuring that education remains accessible and affordable for most students.

Saint Louis University (SLU) stands as a prominent private Jesuit institution in the United States. In the 2026 QS world rankings, SLU is globally positioned within the 951-1000 range, reflecting its growing academic stature. Similarly, the 2025 THE rankings place SLU between 401 and 500 globally, with notable rankings in specific subjects.

Additionally, US News has ranked SLU #105 among national universities, highlighting its strong national presence. The university's commitment to affordability is evident, as it has been recognized as a "Best Value School" by U.S. News & World Report. 

SLU's emphasis on global engagement is also highlighted by its ranking among the top 25 U.S. universities for study abroad participation. These achievements reflect SLU's dedication to academic excellence, affordability, and global engagement, making it a noteworthy choice for prospective students.

Saint Louis University World Rankings 2024-25

Saint Louis University consistently earns recognition for its strong academic programs, impactful research, and a distinguished alumni network of over 100,000.

The university maintains its prominent position worldwide, ranking among the top 25 U.S. universities for study abroad programs. It also consistently ranks under 500 in US News and THE rankings, further cementing its reputation for excellence across a wide range of disciplines.

Here’s a look at SLU’s rankings over the past few years:

Ranking Body	2023	2024	2025	2026
QS World University Rankings	601-650	901-950	951-1000	951-1000
Times Higher Education World University Rankings	301-350	401-500	401-500
U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings	105	105	105	105

Here’s a graphical representation of Saint Louis University's rankings trends:

Saint Louis University ranking has seen varied trends over recent years, reflecting both its growing influence and the competitive nature of higher education.

In the 2026 QS rankings, SLU remains in the 951-1000 range, a slight dip from its 901-950 ranking in 2024 and 601-650 ranking in 2023. Similarly, the THE rankings show SLU holding steady in the 401-500 range in both 2024 and 2025, a shift from the 301-350 range in 2023. 

This slight decline may reflect academic trends, but SLU's continued presence in this range highlights its enduring reputation in teaching, research, and international outlook.

Additionally, the U.S. News rankings consistently place SLU at #105 in 2023, 2024, and 2025-26. This stability speaks to SLU's strong national standing and consistent performance in academic quality, particularly in key fields like health sciences, law, and business.

Overall, SLU’s trajectory in rankings suggests a slight decline in global visibility but maintains solid national recognition. 

Rankings offer valuable insights, but they only paint part of the picture. Explore how SLU’s global reputation can open doors for your career. Schedule a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad's experts to discover specialized courses, opportunities, and pathways that align with your aspirations!

After reviewing the top rankings of Saint Louis University, let’s explore SLU’s subject-wise rankings!

Subject-wise Rankings of Saint Louis University

Subject-wise rankings assess academic quality and program reputation, guiding students in making informed decisions about college and programs. 

SLU’s popular subjects, such as medicine (#401-450) and life sciences (#501-550), have consistently been ranked among the top 500 according to QS rankings.

Below is a detailed overview of Saint Louis University ranking for popular subjects from three of the most prominent ranking bodies: QS, U.S. News, and THE.

QS Subject-Wise Rankings 2025

SLU excels across a broad range of disciplines in the QS rankings by Subject, often securing satisfactory positions in fields like medicine (#401-450) and life sciences (#501-550).

These rankings are based on academic reputation, employer reputation, and research citations per paper. Here are some top programs' positions according to QS rankings:

Subject	QS Ranking (2025)
Life Sciences & Medicine	#501-550
Medicine	#401-450
Nursing	#151-225

Note: Rankings can vary based on specific programs or departments within the university.

Times Higher Education (THE) Subject-Wise Rankings 2025

The THE rankings by subject reflect Saint Louis’s dominance across numerous disciplines, especially in Law (#201-250) and Psychology (#301-400), where it holds a position under the top 400.

These criteria are based on indicators such as teaching, research, citations, and industry income. Here are some top programs' positions according to THE rankings:

Subject	THE Ranking (2025)
Law	#201-250
Psychology	#301-400
Medicine & Health	#301-400
Arts & Humanities	#501-600

Note: Rankings can vary based on specific programs or departments within the university.

U.S. News Subject-Wise Rankings 2025

In the U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings, Saint Louis’s impressive rankings are evident in its business programs, such as International Business and Entrepreneurship (#12).

These rankings are based on factors such as graduation rates, student debt, and student-faculty ratio. Here are some top programs' positions according to US news rankings:

Subject	U.S. News Ranking (2025)
Entrepreneurship	#12 (Tie)
Nursing	#130 (Tie)
Economics	#198 (Tie)

Note: Rankings can vary based on specific programs or departments within the university.

These rankings reflect SLU’s comprehensive academic excellence, with the university leading many high-demand fields.

Now, let’s take a look at how Saint Louis University performs in other diversified rankings.

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

Saint Louis University ranking has achieved notable standings in various specialized fields for 2025, reflecting its strengths across multiple disciplines. 

These rankings, derived from reputable sources, highlight SLU's commitment to excellence in education, research, and community engagement.​

Here are some of the miscellaneous positions of SLU in different areas: 

Ranking Source	Ranking Description	2025 Rank
SLU Niche	Ranked as the second-best college in the St. Louis area, based on academic quality and student satisfaction.	#2 (St. Louis Area)
SLU Niche	Acknowledged for providing quality education at an affordable cost in the St. Louis region.	#6 (Best Value Colleges in St. Louis Area)
Citation Index	Positioned among the top 50% of universities globally, with over 43,000 academic publications and 1.4 million citations.	#446 (Global)
SLU College Factual	Recognized for excellence in various disciplines, including Parks & Recreation, with top rankings in 31 different majors.	Top 20% in 31 Majors
SLU College Factual	Highlighted for quality Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies bachelor's degree programs.	#26 out of 502 (Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies)

SLU continues to excel in multiple rankings for 2025, reflecting its strong academic reputation and commitment to providing high-quality education.

In Niche Rankings, SLU is #2 in the St. Louis area for academic quality and student satisfaction. Additionally, it ranks #6 for Best Value Colleges in the region, showcasing its affordable education options.

Globally, SLU holds #446 in the Citation Index, placing it among the top 50% of universities worldwide. With over 43,000 publications and 1.4 million citations, the university has made significant contributions to the global research community.

College Factual ranks SLU in the top 20% across 31 majors, with standout performance in Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness Studies at #26 out of 502. These rankings underscore SLU's broad academic strength, affordability, and global research impact.

Discover comprehensive application details, deadlines, and expert tips on our Saint Louis University Admissions Page to headstart your path at one of the leading institutions in the U.S.

Now, let’s explore the academic and extracurricular achievements of Saint Louis's students.

Saint Louis University: Excellence and Achievements

Saint Louis University combines academic excellence with a lively community, support, and cultural innovation, providing a well-rounded educational experience. 

The university is notably recognized for its subject-specific excellence and strength in community programs, such as the 1818 Community Engagement Grant Program. Through a combination of art and cultural initiatives like Atlas Week, SLU nurtures a creative environment where students can explore and contribute to global cultural conversations.

Below is an overview of SLU’s recognitions across key areas:

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

Saint Louis University consistently ranks among the top national universities, excelling in research output and academic programs, especially in health sciences and business. It's also recognized globally for its impactful research, with over 43,000 publications and 1.4 million citations.

Here are the major recognitions: 

Category	Recognition
National Academic Excellence	Ranked #105 in the U.S. for national universities in 2025 by U.S. News & World Report for overall academic performance.
Subject-Specific Excellence	Saint Louis University's Medical School ranks among the top 50 in the U.S. for primary care education, excelling in producing healthcare leaders.
Research Contributions	Ranked in the top 50% of universities globally for research impact, with over 43,000 academic publications and 1.4 million citations.
Graduate Programs	SLU’s Business School ranks among the top 20% for MBA programs in the U.S., with special recognition for leadership development and innovative curriculum.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

SLU provides a holistic student experience, blending academic success with strong community engagement. Its service programs, like the 1818 Community Engagement Grant Program, focus on developing students' leadership and social responsibility.

Here are some of  SLU’s community development initiatives:

Category	Recognition
Student Satisfaction	Ranked highly for student satisfaction, particularly in fields like nursing and health sciences, where students report high levels of support from faculty and peers.
Community Engagement	SLU’s Center for Social Action has been recognized for engaging over 3,000 students annually in service learning and outreach projects that benefit local and global communities.
Athletic Participation	SLU’s Athletics Program plays a key role in student engagement, with over 350 student-athletes participating in 18 NCAA Division I sports, contributing to a dynamic campus life.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

SLU stands out for its high-spirited cultural life, with initiatives like Atlas Week and the Cross-Cultural Center for Global Citizenship. These programs emphasize global citizenship and sustainability, enriching students beyond the classroom.

Some notable creative initiatives include:

Category	Recognition
Cultural Initiatives	SLU’s Atlas Week, a celebration of global cultures, engages over 1,000 students yearly, showcasing various performances, art exhibitions, and international cuisine.
Creative Arts Programs	The SLU Theatre Program is noted for producing award-winning performances and providing students with a platform to collaborate on projects that reach international audiences.
Global Cultural Partnerships	SLU maintains global partnerships with over 30 universities worldwide, offering programs that combine cultural exchange, language immersion, and research collaboration.

Now that you’ve explored Saint Louis University ranking and achievements in academics, culture, and community development, let’s understand the relationship between ranking and acceptance rates.

Saint Louis University: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

SLU has seen an uptick in its acceptance rate, rising from an average of 66.11% over the past decade to 81% in the latest year, indicating slightly easier admissions compared to previous years. 

However, the enrollment yield dropped to 14.17% in 2024-2025, down from the 10-year average of 17.70%, suggesting fewer admitted students are choosing to enrol.

This highlights SLU's evolving admissions scene with rankings, which is marked by higher acceptance but more competitive choices for students.

Below is a table showcasing the ranking and acceptance rates for the top programs:

Course	QS Rankings 2025	Acceptance Rate (Approx.)
Life Sciences & Medicine	#501-550	81%
Medicine	#401-450
Nursing	#151-225

Note: All the programs of SLU have the same acceptance rate.

This indicates SLU's position as a reputable institution with a balanced approach to admissions, offering opportunities for a distinct range of students.

Now, let’s check out the methodologies used for Saint Louis University ranking.

Ranking Methodologies

QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and U.S. News & World Report are the leading university ranking systems that have become benchmarks for assessing university performance. 

Each ranking focuses on aspects such as academic reputation, research quality, and global outlook to gauge the performance of universities.

Here’s a detailed look at the criteria used for ranking universities.

QS World University Rankings

The QS world ranking emphasizes employer reputation and academic outcomes, obtained from surveys of thousands of educational experts and employers worldwide. It also gives importance to faculty research and international student admissions.

Here are the criteria used in QS World University Rankings.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Research and Discovery	Academic Reputation	30%
	Citations per Faculty	20%
Employability and Outcomes	Employer Reputation	15%
	Employment Outcomes	5%
Global Engagement	International Faculty Ratio	5%
	International Research Network	5%
	International Student Ratio	5%
	International Student Diversity	0%
Learning Experience	Faculty Student Ratio	10%
Sustainability	Sustainability	5%

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

The Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings focus on research influence, teaching reputation, and staff-to-student ratio. It also emphasizes international diversity and industry income, assessing how well universities collaborate with industries and global academic networks.

Here are the criteria used by THE rankings.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Teaching	Teaching Reputation	15%
	Staff-to-student ratio	4.5%
	Doctorate-to-bachelor's ratio	2%
	Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio	5.5%
	Institutional income	2.5%
Research Environment	Research reputation	18%
	Research income	5.5%
	Research productivity	5.5%
Research Quality	Citation impact	15%
	Research strength	5%
	Research excellence	5%
	Research influence	5%
International Outlook	Proportion of international students	2.5%
	Proportion of international staff	2.5%
	International collaboration	2.5%
Industry	Industry income	2%
	Patents	2%

U.S. News and World Report Rankings

This indicator uses unique criteria like first-year retention rates, graduation rates, and student-faculty ratio. Other criteria, such as borrower debt and financial resources, measure how well universities support low-income students. 

Here are the criteria used in the U.S. News and World Report Rankings

Focus Indicators	Weightage
Graduation Rates	16%
First-year retention rates	5%
Graduation rate performance	10%
Pell graduation rates	5.5%
Pell graduation performance	5.5%
College grads earning more than a high school grad	5%
Borrower debt	5%
Peer assessment	20%
Financial resources	8%
Faculty salaries	8%
Full-time faculty	3%
Student-faculty ratio	4%
Standardized tests	5%

The above rankings reflect how well a university is positioned to offer quality education and outcomes to students, using indicators like employability and industry applications.

Conclusion

Saint Louis University remains one of the top choices for students, with an 81% acceptance rate that reflects a competitive yet accessible admissions process. Ranked #105 nationally by U.S. News & World Report and 401–500 globally by Times Higher Education, SLU is solidifying its academic reputation.

With a notable 18.41% increase in applicants, SLU’s growing appeal is clear. However, the 14.17% enrollment yield indicates that while students get in, they carefully weigh their options before making a commitment.

SLU’s blend of strong academics, expanding research impact, and rising demand makes it a compelling choice for students seeking a high-quality, well-rounded education. For those looking for a university that balances excellence with accessibility, SLU can be one of the prominent options in higher education.