The YÖK Research Universities 2026 Rankings have been announced. YTÜ moved up one spot in the overall rankings to 5th place. Among state universities, YTÜ rose to 3rd place and drew attention with a 3.21-point increase in the capacity indicator.

Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, President of the Higher Education Council (YÖK), announced the 2026 performance evaluation results for 23 research universities and 10 prospective research universities under the “Research Universities Support Program” (ADEP), held at Middle East Technical University (METU). (ADEP), hosted by the Middle East Technical University (METU), announced the 2026 performance evaluation results for 23 research universities and 10 candidate research universities. In the ranking, which evaluates research universities based on capacity, quality, and collaboration indicators, Yıldız Technical University (YTÜ) moved up one spot in the general category to rank 5th. YTÜ, which moved up one spot to the A1 category, ranked 3rd among state universities.

YTÜ Moved Up One Spot in the A1 Category

There are six universities in the A1 category of the YÖK 2026 Research Universities Ranking. YTÜ rose to 5th place nationwide with a total score of 60.01. Boğaziçi University followed with a score of 59.47.

In the A1 category rankings, Koç University took first place with 73.50 points, followed by Sabancı University in second place with 72.34 points; Middle East Technical University scored 66.89, Istanbul Technical University 61.38, and Yıldız Technical University 60.01.

When Koç and Sabancı Universities—both foundation universities—were excluded from the evaluation, YTÜ ranked third among state universities.

Two Consecutive Years of Improvement

A comparison of YTÜ’s 2025 and 2026 results shows an improvement in both the university’s total score and its ranking. Having raised its total score from 59.47 in 2025 to 60.01 this year, YTÜ increased its total score by 0.54 points. Last year, YTÜ had climbed one spot to rank 6th overall. 

A 3.21-point increase in the capacity indicator

The most notable increase in YTÜ’s 2026 results was observed in the capacity indicator. Our university’s capacity score rose from 24.42 in 2025 to 27.63 in 2026. The 3.21-point increase in the capacity indicator over the course of a year was particularly notable. In 2026, YTÜ’s total score of 60.01 was composed of 27.63 points for capacity, 21.53 points for quality, and 10.85 points for collaboration.

2026 Research University Rankings

The performance ranking of 23 universities shared by YÖK is as follows:

10 universities placed on watch

In addition to the current research universities, YÖK also announced 10 candidate universities whose research capacity and performance are being monitored.

The candidate universities were ranked in two groups: public and foundation universities.

State universities placed under observation:

1. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University

2. Akdeniz University

3. Dokuz Eylül University

4. Kocaeli University

5. Ondokuz Mayıs University

6. Selçuk University

Foundation universities under observation:

1. Özyeğin University

2. Istanbul Medipol University

3. İstinye University

4. TOBB University of Economics and Technology