The University maintained its spot in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025 at 1,501+ band and tied three universities as the third best school in the Philippines.

In the 2025 edition, UST’s score increased after receiving 10.5 - 25.1 overall from the 19.8 points in teaching, 9.7 points in research environment, 33.6 points in research quality, 20.4 points in industry, and 64.4 points in international outlook.

Compared to the 2024 rankings where the University recorded 9.7–22.7 overall with 19.6 points in teaching, 9.5 points in research environment, 25.8 points in research quality, and 20.7 points in industry criteria, UST sustained its scores aside from a decrease in research quality.

THE ranked 21 universities from 14 last year and classified "reporter" status among 15 institutions due to deficiencies to qualify the ranking criteria.

Ateneo de Manila University is still PH's No. 1 school, ranked 1,001–1,200 in the global bracket, while the University of the Philippines came second for another year in the 1,201–1,500 bracket.

UST shared the rank with De La Salle University and Mapua University. Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) also debuted in the list as No. 3.

A university's performance is measured in five areas: teaching (29.5 percent), research environment (29%), research quality (30%), industry (4%), and international outlook (7.5%).

The University of Oxford remained the top school for nine years, while the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States came in second, overtaking Stanford University, which dropped sixth.

This year's ranking had more universities involved at 2,092 than 1,904 last year, while participating territories jumped to 115 from 108 last year.

THE granted reporter status to 768 universities. - Celine Ashley Tabunda