Okayama University of Science was ranked in the 801+ category in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2026, announced April 23 (London time) by the U.K.-based higher education magazine Times Higher Education. The university achieved placement in the rankings for the second consecutive year and was the only private university in Japan’s Chugoku and Shikoku regions to be included.
The rankings evaluate universities across five areas: Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry, and International Outlook.
This year, 1,405 universities across Asia participated in the rankings, an increase of 192 institutions from the previous year. Of those, 929 universities were ranked. In Japan, 143 universities participated, and 115 institutions were included in the rankings.
Okayama University of Science was placed in the 801+ category in Asia, compared with the 601+ category the previous year, and tied for 92nd place nationally in Japan, compared with tied for 73rd the previous year. The university was ranked in the same category as Aoyama Gakuin University, Chiba Institute of Technology, Doshisha University, Kansai University, Kwansei Gakuin University, Osaka Institute of Technology, and Sophia University.
Among private universities located west of the Kansai region, Okayama University of Science tied for 8th place.