Top 10 universities of Iran to watch out for

A growing number of Indian students, especially from Kashmir, are seeking academic opportunities in Iran, a country steadily gaining ground in global higher education. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), around 2,050 Indian students were studying in Iran in 2022, primarily pursuing medical degrees at universities such as Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, and Islamic Azad University.What draws these students isn’t just cultural proximity or affordability, but Iran’s academic reputation, especially in medicine, engineering, and emerging sciences. The latest US News and World Report rankings highlight several Iranian universities as globally competitive, with many earning high ranks in subject-specific areas such as Polymer Science, Pharmacology, Water Resources, and Green Technology.

US News & World Report Global University Rankings: Top Iranian universities

Here is the list of the top universities in Iran according to the US News and World Report rankings 2025:

University of Tehran

Ranked 281 in the world and first in Iran, the University of Tehran is Iran’s most prestigious institution, known for its robust academic framework and international reach. With over 55,000 students and a strong global research reputation, the university excels in the following disciplines:

Islamic Azad University

Ranked 403 globally and second in Iran, Islamic Azad University is one of the largest private university systems in the world. It is especially known for its depth in applied sciences and engineering, including:

Sharif University of Technology

Regarded as Iran’s premier institute for engineering and technology, Sharif University is ranked 565 globally and third nationally. Its most prominent areas include:

The university is well-known for its cutting-edge labs and strong research collaborations.

Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Ranked 588 globally and fifth in Iran, this university is a favored destination for Indian medical aspirants. It boasts over 2,000 international students and is renowned in:

The institution has a strong focus on doctoral training and interdisciplinary medical research.

Amirkabir University of Technology

Ranked 712 globally and sixth in Iran, Amirkabir is a major player in engineering research. Its notable strength lies in: Polymer Science (41).

With a strong research reputation, it continues to be a top choice for engineering and material science scholars.

Tarbiat Modares University

Positioned at 737 globally and seventh nationally, Tarbiat Modares is a postgraduate university excelling in: Water Resources courses. It has attained a global rank of 75 in offering this courseIt caters primarily to master’s and PhD students, fostering high-level research in environmental and civil engineering fields.

Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Ranked 781 globally and eighth in Iran, this institution is another magnet for medical studies. It performs especially well in:

With over 3,400 international students, it has a strong international profile in health sciences.

Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Ranked 810 globally, this university has developed a solid research reputation in the medical field, especially in:

It has steadily grown into a respected center for public health and clinical research.

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Closing the list at 841 globally and tenth in Iran, this institution offers focused medical education with growing international engagement. It is building its strengths in doctoral research and allied health sciences.For Indian students, Iran is becoming more than a historical or cultural neighbour, it is emerging as an affordable, academically credible destination for higher education. With universities like the University of Tehran and Islamic Azad University leading the way in global and subject-specific rankings, Iranian institutions are carving out a place on the global academic map. As rankings improve and research output expands, more Indian students are likely to consider Iran as a strategic educational option in the years ahead.