UNAM fell from 94th place in 2025 to 136th place in the 2026 edition of the QS World University Rankings, dropping dramatically 42 positions, marking its worst ranking in a decade.
Why Did It Fall? A Look at the Causes According to Record
According to Record, the factors explaining this drop are:
- Limited Internationalization
Low presence of foreign professors and students, an area where UNAM has not progressed at the pace of Top 100 universities. - Low Impact of Scientific Citations
Although it produces a large amount of research, citations per faculty have not grown at the level of other global competitors.
The Financial Background: Budget, Investment, and Talent
Budget Under Scrutiny
The initial 5 billion MXN (10%) cut to the 2025 budget raised concerns about UNAM’s ability to sustain research and attract talent.
The budget adjustment upwards to account for inflation (~3.5%) helped mitigate the impact, but uncertainty had already caused damage.
Research and Scientific Visibility
Although UNAM improved its global score (from 61.4 to 64), it was not enough against rivals who advanced more quickly.
The ranking structure allocates 50% weight to research and discoveries, highlighting the importance of funding to boost academic citations.
Internationalization and Talent Attraction
The proportion of international students reached only 5.4 points, one of the weakest indicators.
Hiring foreign academics requires competitive investment in salaries, facilities, and visibility—all factors affected by budget uncertainty.
Comparative Summary: Escalating Investment Needs
| Key Area | Requirements | Current UNAM Status | Financial Risks |
| Research | Project funding, global visibility | High production, stagnant citations | Loss of competitiveness |
| International Attraction | Infrastructure, benefits, scholarships | Low % of foreign students/professors | Affects global ranking |
| Stable Budget | Continuous and inflation-adjusted funding | Delayed adjustments, uncertainty | Reduced strategic investment |
Recommendations
An inflation-adjusted budget is progress, but UNAM needs to overcome the effects already caused by instability.
To regain positions, it must:
- Boost high-impact research and visibility.
- Increase hiring and reception of international talent.
- Strengthen the global academic brand through sustained investment.
UNAM’s exit from the Top 100 results from a combination of deficits in internationalization and scientific impact, exacerbated by uncertainty in public funding. While some budget restoration has occurred, the moment demands a firm financial strategy to reinforce research, infrastructure, and global attraction. Only then will UNAM be able to compete again on the international university stage.
