The number of Saudi universities in the Academic Ranking of World Universities "Shanghai Ranking" jumped to 15 Saudi universities, compared to six universities in 2018, in the latest edition of the classification for specialties. Saudi universities excelled in 11 scientific disciplines, during which they competed among the top 50 global universities, achieving advanced positions including the 15 position globally in Energy Science and Engineering, and the 24th position in Nanoscience and Technology, achieved by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Meanwhile, King Abdulaziz University ranked 27th globally in Measurement Science and Technology. Earlier, the Kingdom had ranked first in the Arab world and 30 globally in the Nature Index for the quality of scientific research, and 26 Saudi universities were on the 2022 list, compared to 16 universities in 2018, in addition to an increase in the number of Saudi universities to 16 in the QS World University Rankings 2023, compared to nine universities in 2019. Moreover, the number of Saudi universities increased to 22 universities in the British Times classification of universities with an impact on the United Nations sustainable development goals for the year 2022, compared to three Saudi universities in 2019. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 also saw an increase in the number of Saudi universities to 15 compared to 6 universities in 2019, in addition to an increase in the number of emerging Saudi universities to 12 universities in the "Times Classification of Emerging Universities" 2022, compared to three universities in 2019.
