Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine now holds 5th place in rankings of US veterinary schools by the educational data specialists Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), which has rated the top 50 veterinary medical schools globally. MSU rose 3 places in the last year, from #15 to #12, in global rankings of veterinary schools.

“We are pleased but not surprised at this recognition of our excellence in teaching, research, and service,” said John Baker, dean of the College. “Our academic community has a long history of collaboration, talent, and commitment. We support our faculty and students and provide an environment and structure that inspires the best in each member of our College.”

MSU retains its #1 rank among the six colleges of veterinary medicine in the Big Ten Conference, a union of world-class academic institutions that share a common mission of research, graduate, professional, and undergraduate teaching, and public service. Six of the 30 veterinary programs in the U.S. are in the Big Ten.

Research Impact
MSU is in 3rd place for citations per paper among US schools. The University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University are in positions #1 and #2 respectively. QS includes in the methodology for this category the number of times scientific literature cites faculty members’ research. The goal is to reflect the influence achieved by each university in the research world.

Researchers at the College have significant impact on their areas of specialty. In addition to advancing animal health and wellbeing, their research and scholarship reflects the College’s strength in One Health and translational medicine.

About QS World Rankings
Unlike other popular US ranking reports, the QS World University Rankings evaluates universities and colleges in a more specific way. The ranking rubric looks at three indicators. Academic reputation, employer reputation, and citations per paper. The weight of each area is not applied evenly between indicators for different disciplines and are based on publication patterns and level of employer interest in the given subject area. 

“Rankings aside, we are excited about the future at the College,” said Baker. “But it’s rewarding to see that others are noticing the changes and the effects of our work.”