Top 10 Public Universities in Malaysia (2026)
All 20 public universities, scored out of 100 on six declared dimensions: global rankings, research quality, employer reputation, the SETARA rating, student ratings and fees. Universiti Malaya leads with 90.2.
This is an Editorial ranking built from desk research on public data captured on 26 September 2026. We did not visit campuses or audit teaching. Scores follow the declared scorecard, and positions are not adjusted by hand. Fees are published figures for a Malaysian student and can change each intake, so confirm them with the university before applying.
Quick answer
According to Malaysia's Top Ten, Universiti Malaya (UM) is the best public university in Malaysia in 2026, with 90.2/100 on our six-part University Scorecard (data captured 26 September 2026). UM is the only Malaysian university in the QS 2027 global top 100 (#56), and it has the country's highest employer reputation score. Universiti Sains Malaysia (83.2) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (81.9) are second and third. UTM (79.9) and UPM (76.4) complete the top five. All 20 public universities were scored on the same rules.
- Universiti Malaya's employer reputation score (93.1) is 23 points higher than any other Malaysian public university. That gap alone decides first place.
- The five Research Universities (UM, USM, UKM, UTM, UPM) take the top five places. The gap from fifth (76.4) to sixth (69.1) is 7.3 points, the widest in the table.
- Universiti Utara Malaysia has the second-highest THE research score of any public (66.2), which lifts it to sixth despite a QS position of #540.
- A full business degree costs a Malaysian student RM4,900–RM12,400 at 17 of the 18 public universities with a published fee. UPM is the exception, at about RM16,500 for four years.
- All 20 public universities hold the same SETARA 2022 rating (Competitive), so the government's rating does not separate them.
How this ranking was decided
We scored all 20 Malaysian public universities out of 100 on six dimensions fixed before data collection: QS 2027 global standing (25), THE 2026 research quality (20), QS employer reputation (20), the Ministry of Higher Education SETARA 2022 rating (15), Google student ratings (10) and the published fee for a Malaysian student's business degree (10). All data was captured on 26 September 2026. Ties are broken by global standing, then research.
Full details in How this ranking was produced below.
The ranking at a glance
| # | Name | Score | Best for | Main advantage | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Universiti Malaya (UM) | 90.2/100 | Students who want the strongest name on their degree, at home and abroad. | Highest employer reputation in Malaysia (QS 93.1) | Lowest Google rating among the top three (4.4★) |
| 2 | Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | 83.2/100 | Science, health and research-track students who want a campus with a strong student community. | Best-rated campus of the five research universities (4.6★) | Employer reputation far behind UM (69.9 vs 93.1) |
| 3 | Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | 81.9/100 | Students who want a research university in the Klang Valley at a very low fee. | Research score almost level with USM (65.7) | Trails USM on every dimension except affordability |
| 4 | Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) | 79.9/100 | Engineering, technology and applied-science students. | Research score 10 points above UPM (62.0 vs 51.7) | Lower QS position than UPM (#158) |
| 5 | Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) | 76.4/100 | Agriculture, veterinary, food and life-science students. | Fourth-highest QS position among publics (#138) | Lowest research score of the five Research Universities |
| 6 | Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) | 69.1/100 | Business, accounting and management students. | Second-highest research score of any public (66.2) | Modest employer reputation (29.6) |
| 7 | Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) | 63.9/100 | Bumiputera students who want a low-cost degree with a widely known name and a campus near home. | Lowest fee in the pool (about RM4,900) | Weakest research score in the top ten (33.9) |
| 8 | Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) | 62.3/100 | Engineering and technology students on a budget. | Top MTUN technical university (QS #588) | Low employer reputation (10.1) |
| 9 | Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) | 60.2/100 | Marine science, fisheries and aquaculture students. | Strong research score for its QS band (55.1) | Low employer reputation (10.9) |
| 10 | Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) | 53.9/100 | Future teachers and education-studies students. | Malaysia's specialist teacher-training university | Low global standing (QS 851–900) |
Malaysia's 20 public universities charge some of the lowest degree fees in Asia. Their quality is far from even, though. A few rank among the world's top 150. Others do not appear in global tables at all. To show the difference in one number, we built the Malaysia's Top Ten University Scorecard. It gives each university a score out of 100 from six dimensions. Global rankings count, but so do research quality, employer reputation, the government's own rating, what students say, and what a degree costs.
The scorecard was fixed before any data was collected. All 20 public universities were scored on the same rules. The same scorecard is used in our private university ranking, so the scores can be compared. For the wider picture across public and private institutions, see our top universities in Malaysia. More rankings for families are in the Lifestyle rankings hub, including the oldest international schools in Malaysia.
How we score: the University Scorecard
| Dimension | Weight | What we measure | How points are awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global standing | 25 | Position in the QS World University Rankings 2027 | Top 100 = 25 · 101–200 = 23 · 201–300 = 21 · 301–400 = 19 · 401–600 = 17 · 601–800 = 14 · 801–1000 = 11 · 1001–1200 = 8 · 1201–1500 = 6 · 1501+ = 4 · not ranked = 0 |
| Research strength | 20 | "Research Quality" pillar score in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026 | 20 × score ÷ 100. Not in THE: QS 2027 Citations per Faculty score instead (flagged). In neither: 0 |
| Employer reputation | 20 | QS 2027 Employer Reputation indicator (global survey of employers) | 20 × score ÷ 100. Not ranked = 0 |
| National rating | 15 | Ministry of Higher Education SETARA 2022 rating (latest published) | Competitive (Berdaya Saing) = 15 · Viable (Berdaya Maju) = 8 · not rated = 4 |
| Student sentiment | 10 | Google Maps rating of the main-campus listing, captured 26 September 2026 | 10 × (rating − 3.0) ÷ 2.0. Fewer than 250 reviews = neutral 5 |
| Affordability | 10 | Published total fee for a Malaysian student's business or management degree | ≤ RM15,000 = 10 · ≤ RM40,000 = 8 · ≤ RM70,000 = 6 · ≤ RM100,000 = 4 · above = 2 · not published = 3 |
Why these six? Global rankings show international standing, but they reward size and reputation. We balance them with a research-quality measure from a second ranking body, the government's own quality rating, and two things students care about directly: how students rate the campus and what the degree costs. Full house rules are in how Malaysia's Top Ten ranks.
The full scorecard
Points per dimension for the top ten. Every figure links back to its source in the entries below.
| # | University | Global /25 | Research /20 | Employer /20 | National /15 | Sentiment /10 | Afford. /10 | Total /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UM | 25 | 14.6 | 18.6 | 15 | 7 | 10 | 90.2 |
| 2 | USM | 23 | 13.2 | 14 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 83.2 |
| 3 | UKM | 23 | 13.1 | 13.3 | 15 | 7.5 | 10 | 81.9 |
| 4 | UTM | 23 | 12.4 | 12.5 | 15 | 7 | 10 | 79.9 |
| 5 | UPM | 23 | 10.3 | 12.6 | 15 | 7.5 | 8 | 76.4 |
| 6 | UUM | 17 | 13.2 | 5.9 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 69.1 |
| 7 | UiTM | 17 | 6.8 | 7.6 | 15 | 7.5 | 10 | 63.9 |
| 8 | UMPSA | 17 | 11.8 | 2 | 15 | 6.5 | 10 | 62.3 |
| 9 | UMT | 14 | 11 | 2.2 | 15 | 8 | 10 | 60.2 |
| 10 | UPSI | 11 | 9.7 | 3.2 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 53.9 |
Just outside the top ten: IIUM (52.5), UTHM (50.5) and UMS (48.8). Their reasons are under Notable exclusions.
The full ranking
Universiti Malaya (UM)
Score: 90.2Malaysia's oldest university, with roots in a 1905 medical college. It is the only Malaysian university in the QS global top 100, at #56 in the 2027 edition.
Why it was selected
UM scores 90.2/100 and wins clearly. It takes full marks for global standing (QS 2027 #56) and has the country's strongest employer reputation score by a wide margin (93.1, against 69.9 for the next public). Its THE Research Quality score of 72.8 is also the highest in the pool. Its one soft spot is student sentiment: the main-campus Google rating is 4.4★.
Best for
Students who want the strongest name on their degree, at home and abroad.
Advantages
- Highest employer reputation in Malaysia (QS 93.1)
Limitations
- Lowest Google rating among the top three (4.4★)
- Location:
- Kuala Lumpur
- Website:
- www.um.edu.my
- Verified:
- 26 Sept 2026
- Score breakdown:
- Global 25/25 · Research 14.6/20 · Employer 18.6/20 · National 15/15 · Sentiment 7/10 · Affordability 10/10
- QS 2027 / THE Research Quality:
- #56 / 72.8
- Business degree fee (Malaysian):
- about RM8,700
- Google rating:
- 4.4★ (1,209 reviews)
- Students:
- 18,899
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2027 results (UM: 56), THE World University Rankings 2026 — Universiti Malaya, Universiti Malaya — official fee schedule, Universiti Malaya — Google Maps listing, Universiti Malaya — official site
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Score: 83.2A Penang research university founded in 1969. It is the only Malaysian university ever granted APEX (Accelerated Programme for Excellence) status.
Why it was selected
USM scores 83.2/100. It sits at QS 2027 #128 and has the second-strongest research score among the publics (THE Research Quality 65.8). Students rate the Gelugor campus 4.6★ on Google, the best among the five research universities. Its employer reputation (69.9) is well behind UM's.
Best for
Science, health and research-track students who want a campus with a strong student community.
Advantages
- Best-rated campus of the five research universities (4.6★)
Limitations
- Employer reputation far behind UM (69.9 vs 93.1)
- Location:
- Gelugor, Penang
- Website:
- www.usm.my
- Verified:
- 26 Sept 2026
- Score breakdown:
- Global 23/25 · Research 13.2/20 · Employer 14/20 · National 15/15 · Sentiment 8/10 · Affordability 10/10
- QS 2027 / THE Research Quality:
- #128 / 65.8
- Business degree fee (Malaysian):
- about RM9,520
- Google rating:
- 4.6★ (1,118 reviews)
- Students:
- 26,522
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2027 results (USM: 128), THE World University Rankings 2026 — Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia — official fee schedule, Universiti Sains Malaysia — Google Maps listing, Universiti Sains Malaysia — official site
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
Score: 81.9The National University of Malaysia, founded in 1970 to teach in Malay. It is one of the five Research Universities and sits at QS 2027 #130.
Why it was selected
UKM scores 81.9/100, only 1.3 points behind USM. Its research score (65.7) is almost identical to USM's, and it is two places behind in QS 2027 (#130). Its employer reputation (66.4) and Google rating (4.5★) are slightly lower. At about RM8,700 for a full business degree, it ties with UM for the lowest fee among the research universities.
Best for
Students who want a research university in the Klang Valley at a very low fee.
Advantages
- Research score almost level with USM (65.7)
Limitations
- Trails USM on every dimension except affordability
- Location:
- Bangi, Selangor
- Website:
- www.ukm.my/portal
- Verified:
- 26 Sept 2026
- Score breakdown:
- Global 23/25 · Research 13.1/20 · Employer 13.3/20 · National 15/15 · Sentiment 7.5/10 · Affordability 10/10
- QS 2027 / THE Research Quality:
- #130 / 65.7
- Business degree fee (Malaysian):
- about RM8,700
- Google rating:
- 4.5★ (788 reviews)
- Students:
- 20,341
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2027 results (UKM: 130), THE World University Rankings 2026 — Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia — official fee schedule, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia — Google Maps listing, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia — official site
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)
Score: 79.9Malaysia's leading engineering and technology university, with roots in a 1904 technical school. It is a Research University at QS 2027 #158.
Why it was selected
UTM scores 79.9/100 and edges past UPM for fourth. QS places UPM higher (#138 vs #158), but UTM's THE Research Quality score is much stronger (62.0 vs 51.7). UTM also costs less for a full business degree (RM9,880 vs about RM16,500 at UPM). Its employer reputation (62.3) is close to UPM's.
Best for
Engineering, technology and applied-science students.
Advantages
- Research score 10 points above UPM (62.0 vs 51.7)
Limitations
- Lower QS position than UPM (#158)
- Location:
- Skudai, Johor
- Website:
- www.utm.my
- Verified:
- 26 Sept 2026
- Score breakdown:
- Global 23/25 · Research 12.4/20 · Employer 12.5/20 · National 15/15 · Sentiment 7/10 · Affordability 10/10
- QS 2027 / THE Research Quality:
- #158 / 62.0
- Business degree fee (Malaysian):
- about RM9,880
- Google rating:
- 4.4★ (670 reviews)
- Students:
- 16,724
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2027 results (UTM: 158), THE World University Rankings 2026 — Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia — official fee schedule, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia — Google Maps listing, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia — official site
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Score: 76.4A Research University that grew from a 1931 school of agriculture. It is strongest in agriculture, veterinary and life sciences, and sits at QS 2027 #138.
Why it was selected
UPM scores 76.4/100. It is fourth among publics in QS 2027 (#138), with an employer reputation of 63.1. Two things hold it back. Its THE Research Quality score (51.7) is the lowest of the five research universities. And its published fee, about RM16,500 for a four-year business degree, is the highest in the pool (the 2023/24 figure likely includes college charges).
Best for
Agriculture, veterinary, food and life-science students.
Advantages
- Fourth-highest QS position among publics (#138)
Limitations
- Lowest research score of the five Research Universities
- Location:
- Serdang, Selangor
- Website:
- upm.edu.my
- Verified:
- 26 Sept 2026
- Score breakdown:
- Global 23/25 · Research 10.3/20 · Employer 12.6/20 · National 15/15 · Sentiment 7.5/10 · Affordability 8/10
- QS 2027 / THE Research Quality:
- #138 / 51.7
- Business degree fee (Malaysian):
- about RM16,500
- Google rating:
- 4.5★ (1,697 reviews)
- Students:
- 20,358
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2027 results (UPM: 138), THE World University Rankings 2026 — Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia — official fee schedule, Universiti Putra Malaysia — Google Maps listing, Universiti Putra Malaysia — official site
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
Score: 69.1Malaysia's public management university, founded in 1984 on a forest campus in Sintok, Kedah.
Why it was selected
UUM scores 69.1/100 and is the best-placed public outside the five research universities. Its THE Research Quality score (66.2) is the second-highest of any public, above USM and UKM. That is a real strength for a specialist management school. Students also rate the campus 4.6★. Its QS position (#540) and employer reputation (29.6) are modest.
Best for
Business, accounting and management students.
Advantages
- Second-highest research score of any public (66.2)
Limitations
- Modest employer reputation (29.6)
- Location:
- Sintok, Kedah
- Website:
- www.uum.edu.my
- Verified:
- 26 Sept 2026
- Score breakdown:
- Global 17/25 · Research 13.2/20 · Employer 5.9/20 · National 15/15 · Sentiment 8/10 · Affordability 10/10
- QS 2027 / THE Research Quality:
- #540 / 66.2
- Business degree fee (Malaysian):
- about RM8,260
- Google rating:
- 4.6★ (923 reviews)
- Students:
- 11,413
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2027 results (UUM: 540), THE World University Rankings 2026 — Universiti Utara Malaysia, Universiti Utara Malaysia — official fee schedule, Universiti Utara Malaysia — Google Maps listing, Universiti Utara Malaysia — official site
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
Score: 63.9Malaysia's largest university by enrolment, with more than 60,000 students and a network of branch campuses across the country.
Why it was selected
UiTM scores 63.9/100. It has the strongest employer reputation outside the research universities (37.8) and the lowest fees in the country: about RM4,900 for a full degree under its flat Perdana schedule. QS places it at #549. Its research score (THE 33.9) is the weakest in the top ten.
Best for
Bumiputera students who want a low-cost degree with a widely known name and a campus near home.
Advantages
- Lowest fee in the pool (about RM4,900)
Limitations
- Weakest research score in the top ten (33.9)
- Location:
- Shah Alam, Selangor
- Website:
- uitm.edu.my
- Verified:
- 26 Sept 2026
- Score breakdown:
- Global 17/25 · Research 6.8/20 · Employer 7.6/20 · National 15/15 · Sentiment 7.5/10 · Affordability 10/10
- QS 2027 / THE Research Quality:
- #549 / 33.9
- Business degree fee (Malaysian):
- about RM4,930
- Google rating:
- 4.5★ (2,062 reviews)
- Students:
- 60,349
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2027 results (UiTM: 549), THE World University Rankings 2026 — Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Teknologi MARA — official fee schedule, Universiti Teknologi MARA — Google Maps listing, Universiti Teknologi MARA — official site
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA)
Score: 62.3A technical university founded in 2002 and renamed from UMP to UMPSA in 2023. It is the highest-ranked of the MTUN technical universities in QS 2027 (#588).
Why it was selected
UMPSA scores 62.3/100. Its research score (THE 59.0) is strong for a young university. It sits at QS 2027 #588, and a full business-track degree costs about RM6,500. Employer reputation is its weak point (10.1), and its Google rating (4.3★) is the lowest in the top ten.
Best for
Engineering and technology students on a budget.
Advantages
- Top MTUN technical university (QS #588)
Limitations
- Low employer reputation (10.1)
- Location:
- Pekan, Pahang
- Website:
- www.umpsa.edu.my
- Verified:
- 26 Sept 2026
- Score breakdown:
- Global 17/25 · Research 11.8/20 · Employer 2/20 · National 15/15 · Sentiment 6.5/10 · Affordability 10/10
- QS 2027 / THE Research Quality:
- #588 / 59.0
- Business degree fee (Malaysian):
- about RM6,500
- Google rating:
- 4.3★ (373 reviews)
- Students:
- 7,584
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2027 results (UMPSA: 588), THE World University Rankings 2026 — Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah — official fee schedule, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah — Google Maps listing, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah — official site
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
Score: 60.2A marine and aquatic-science university on the Terengganu coast. It was chartered as UMT in 2007 and ranks 701–710 in QS 2027.
Why it was selected
UMT scores 60.2/100. Its THE Research Quality score (55.1) is well above what its QS band (701–710) suggests. Students rate it 4.6★ on Google. A management degree costs about RM8,000. Its employer reputation (10.9) is low.
Best for
Marine science, fisheries and aquaculture students.
Advantages
- Strong research score for its QS band (55.1)
Limitations
- Low employer reputation (10.9)
- Location:
- Kuala Nerus, Terengganu
- Website:
- www.umt.edu.my
- Verified:
- 26 Sept 2026
- Score breakdown:
- Global 14/25 · Research 11/20 · Employer 2.2/20 · National 15/15 · Sentiment 8/10 · Affordability 10/10
- QS 2027 / THE Research Quality:
- #701-710 / 55.1
- Business degree fee (Malaysian):
- about RM7,990
- Google rating:
- 4.6★ (695 reviews)
- Students:
- 9,037
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2027 results (UMT: 701-710), THE World University Rankings 2026 — Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu — official fee schedule, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu — Google Maps listing, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu — official site
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI)
Score: 53.9Malaysia's education university. It traces back to the Sultan Idris Training College of 1922 and gained university status in 1997.
Why it was selected
UPSI takes the last place in the top ten with 53.9/100, 1.4 points ahead of IIUM. Its research score (THE 48.4) is solid, and it sits in the QS 851–900 band. Its campus listing has fewer than 250 Google reviews, so it gets the neutral 5 points for sentiment. A business degree costs about RM10,100.
Best for
Future teachers and education-studies students.
Advantages
- Malaysia's specialist teacher-training university
Limitations
- Low global standing (QS 851–900)
- Location:
- Tanjong Malim, Perak
- Website:
- www.upsi.edu.my
- Verified:
- 26 Sept 2026
- Score breakdown:
- Global 11/25 · Research 9.7/20 · Employer 3.2/20 · National 15/15 · Sentiment 5/10 · Affordability 10/10
- QS 2027 / THE Research Quality:
- #851-900 / 48.4
- Business degree fee (Malaysian):
- about RM10,080
- Google rating:
- 4.7★ (160 reviews)
- Students:
- 5,754
Sources: QS World University Rankings 2027 results (UPSI: 851-900), THE World University Rankings 2026 — Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris — official fee schedule, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris — Google Maps listing, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris — official site
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best public university in Malaysia in 2026?
Universiti Malaya (UM) is the best public university in Malaysia in 2026, according to Malaysia's Top Ten, with 90.2/100 on our six-part University Scorecard (data captured 26 September 2026). UM is the only Malaysian university in the QS World University Rankings 2027 top 100 (#56) and has the country's highest employer reputation score (93.1). Universiti Sains Malaysia (83.2) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (81.9) are second and third.
How does Malaysia's Top Ten score public universities?
Every university gets a score out of 100 from six declared dimensions: global standing in QS 2027 (25 points), research strength from the THE 2026 Research Quality score (20), QS employer reputation (20), the Ministry of Higher Education SETARA rating (15), student sentiment from Google ratings (10) and the published fee for a business degree (10). The weights were fixed before any data was collected, and positions follow the scores with no manual adjustment.
Is this ranking the same as the QS ranking?
No. QS 2027 is one of six inputs and carries 25 of the 100 points. The result differs from QS in places. For example, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (79.9) ranks above Universiti Putra Malaysia (76.4) because of a much stronger THE research score and a lower fee, and Universiti Utara Malaysia ranks sixth on the strength of its research score (66.2), ahead of UiTM.
Which public university in Malaysia has the lowest fees?
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has the lowest fees among Malaysian public universities in our 2026 data: about RM4,900 for a full degree under its flat Perdana fee schedule (excluding hostel). Most other public universities charge between RM6,500 and RM10,100 for a full business or management degree. Universiti Putra Malaysia has the highest published figure, about RM16,500 for four years.
How many public universities are there in Malaysia?
Malaysia has 20 public universities, according to the Ministry of Higher Education list checked on 26 September 2026. Malaysia's Top Ten scored all 20. Five hold Research University status: UM, USM, UKM, UPM and UTM. These five fill the top five places in our 2026 ranking.
How this ranking was produced
- Question: Which Malaysian public universities are strongest overall in 2026, across global standing, research, employer reputation, national rating, student sentiment and cost?
- Pool: All 20 public universities on the Ministry of Higher Education "Universiti Awam" list, checked on 26 September 2026.
- Scorecard (declared before data collection): Global standing 25 · Research strength 20 · Employer reputation 20 · National rating 15 · Student sentiment 10 · Affordability 10. Point rules are in the table in the article.
- Sources: QS World University Rankings 2027 results file (rank, Employer Reputation, Citations per Faculty); THE World University Rankings 2026 (Research Quality pillar); SETARA 2022 results (JPT/MOHE); Google Maps main-campus listings; official university fee schedules.
- One rule change, made before scoring: The scorecard was drafted with SETARA's old six-tier scale. The latest results (SETARA 2022, published August 2023) use two ratings, Competitive and Viable, so they were mapped to 15 and 8 points before any university was scored.
- Fees: The total published fee for a Malaysian (UPU-entry) student's business or management degree, excluding hostel. Where a schedule gives a per-semester rate without a programme length, eight semesters are assumed.
- Ties: Higher global-standing points, then research points.
- Full house rules: our rankings methodology.
Notable exclusions
Candidates considered but not ranked, and why:
- International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) — 52.5/100 — Ranked #11. It sits at QS 2027 #691 but is not in the THE 2026 table, so its research score uses the QS citations indicator (6.5), which is much lower than a THE Research Quality score.
- UTHM (50.5), UMS (48.8), UNIMAS (48.4), UniMAP (47.6), UTeM (46.2), UMK (44.7) — Scored below the top-ten cut-off. All sit at QS 2027 1001+ and have employer reputation scores under 14.
- UniSZA (37.8), USIM (36.7) and UPNM (23) — Not in QS 2027, so they score zero for global standing and employer reputation. UniSZA has a strong THE research score (58.8). UPNM is also absent from THE. No official fee schedule was found for UniSZA or UPNM.
- Private universities and foreign branch campuses — Out of scope. Private universities have their own scorecard ranking: <a href="/en/rankings/top-10-private-universities-malaysia">top 10 private universities in Malaysia</a>. Branch campuses of foreign universities will be scored separately.
Sources & references
- QS World University Rankings 2027 — official results file (released 18 June 2026)
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026
- SETARA 2022 results — Jabatan Pendidikan Tinggi, Ministry of Higher Education
- Ministry of Higher Education — list of public universities (Universiti Awam)
- Universiti Malaya — official fee schedule
- Universiti Sains Malaysia — official fee schedule
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia — official fee schedule
- Universiti Teknologi Malaysia — official fee schedule
- Universiti Putra Malaysia — official fee schedule
- Universiti Utara Malaysia — official fee schedule
- Universiti Teknologi MARA — official fee schedule
- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah — official fee schedule
- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu — official fee schedule
- Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris — official fee schedule
Limitations
This is desk research on public data, not an inspection of teaching. QS and THE measure institutions as a whole, not individual courses, and a university that ranks lower overall can still lead in a specific field. Employer reputation comes from an international survey, which favours well-known names. THE 2026 is the latest THE edition; THE 2027 is due in late 2026. The SETARA 2022 rating is the latest published and gives every public university the same rating. Google ratings reflect public reviews of one main-campus listing. Some fee schedules are older documents (UUM 2022, UMK 2022/23, UPM 2023/24, UMT 2023), and where no programme length is given we assumed eight semesters. IIUM is scored on QS citations because it is not in THE 2026.
Update history
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| 26 Sept 2026 | First published. All data captured 26 September 2026. |
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