Charleston, S.C. (June 16, 2026) – The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has been recognized among the world’s leading academic institutions in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities rankings, earning a ranking of No. 520 worldwide and No. 117 in the United States. A total of 2,346 institutions in 105 countries were considered, with 2,250 being ranked, placing MUSC in the top quartile worldwide.
MUSC was recognized across 13 ranked research disciplines, reflecting the University’s breadth of expertise and continued impact in scientific discovery, education and patient care.
The annual rankings evaluate universities based on research performance, global reputation and academic influence, highlighting institutions with strong impact across disciplines and international collaboration.
“Being named among the best global universities reflects the work happening every day across MUSC,” said John V. Marymont, M.D., MBA, executive vice president for Academic Affairs and provost at MUSC. “It speaks to how our faculty and researchers are pushing discovery forward while preparing the next generation of clinicians, healthcare leaders and scientists to strengthen the healthcare workforce and improve health in South Carolina and beyond.”
MUSC’s performance in the rankings reflects continued progress across a broad range of research fields, including cardiac and cardiovascular systems, neuroscience and behavior, cell biology, public health and oncology, underscoring the University’s expanding impact in scholarship and translational research.
“This recognition reflects MUSC’s commitment to advancing discovery that has real-world impact for patients and communities,” said Timothy L. Stemmler, Ph.D., vice president for Research at MUSC. “Our investigators are contributing to meaningful progress across a wide range of disciplines, and this continued global recognition speaks to the strength of our collaborative research environment, our growing national and international partnerships and our focus on translating scientific insight into improved health outcomes.”
This momentum is further reflected in MUSC’s continued investment in the future of discovery and care including plans for a comprehensive cancer hospital in Charleston, scheduled to open in 2030, that will expand access to advanced treatments, enhance multidisciplinary research and support improved outcomes for patients.
Research disciplines recognized in the 2026-2027 U.S. News Best Global Universities rankings include:
· Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems – No. 76 globally; No. 25 in the U.S.
· Surgery – No. 127 globally; No. 48 in the U.S.
· Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging – No. 168 globally; No. 41 in the U.S.
· Clinical Medicine – No. 191 globally; No. 59 in the U.S.
· Neuroscience and Behavior – No. 200 globally; No. 61 in the U.S.
· Gastroenterology and Hepatology – No. 222 globally; No. 49 in the U.S.
· Cell Biology – No. 247 globally; No. 68 in the U.S.
· Psychiatry/Psychology – No. 257 globally; No. 70 in the U.S.
· Oncology – No. 264 globally; No. 65 in the U.S.
· Molecular Biology and Genetics – No. 313 globally; No. 80 in the U.S.
· Public, Environmental and Occupational Health – No. 439 globally; No. 105 in the U.S.
· Pharmacology and Toxicology – No. 483 globally; No. 71 in the U.S.
· Biology and Biochemistry – No. 594 globally; No. 115 in the U.S.
The U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities rankings assess institutions using a range of indicators, including research reputation, publication output, citation impact and international collaboration.
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About MUSC
Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates nearly 3,500 students in six colleges and trains more than 1,060 residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal, National Institutes of Health and other research funding. For information on our academic programs, visit musc.edu.
As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. In 2025, for the 11th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.
MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $8.9 billion. The more than 36,200 MUSC members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, contract employees, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research and patient care.
