Our Global Standing  

At KFUPM, we take pride in being widely acknowledged as a leading university in the MENA region and have made steady progress toward becoming a global benchmark in higher education. Our efforts to date have led us to climb from the 200th position to the 67th in the QS World University Rankings in 2026, as well as reach the 25th on the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for 2025. THE also ranked us 1st among 22 Saudi universities for interdisciplinary research and 17th globally in that same category.  

These achievements are telltale signs of the impact of our integrated academic outcomes and research strategy. They point to the substance behind our results, as well as the seriousness of our commitment to aligning with national priorities and expectations of industry, employers, and international partners. When the goal is to serve society and make a positive impact, then recognition, accolades, and achievements tend to follow suit.

Academic Accreditation

KFUPM’s accreditations speak to the credibility conferred upon its academic programs. These recognitions serve as an assurance to students, families, and employers that our graduates meet rigorous international standards.

As an example, KFUPM’s Business School was the 1st in Saudi Arabia to receive accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Its educational standards are now likened to those at the Business College of top-ranked universities in the world, such as Texas A&M University or King’s College London.

Also, all our programs in engineering and computing are certified by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), with renewals on a six-year cycle to ensure continued relevance. This ongoing process means we constantly evaluate and upgrade our course offerings in response to emerging global and regional demands.

Expanding Horizons

As Saudi Arabia opens its doors to the world through bold reforms, cultural exchanges, and international partnerships, KFUPM mirrors this vision by becoming an even more globally connected and inclusive institution. Our student body represents 75 countries, with graduate students currently making up 30% of our population, a rise from around 12% in previous years. Our employability rate is 93%, according to the National Labor Observatory, rising to nearly 100% when including graduates who pursue advanced degrees or government roles. On average, our graduates secure employment within 4.8 months of graduation, with competitive starting salaries around SAR 10,600 (approximately $3,000), reflecting their strong value in the job market.

Among our globally oriented initiatives, we’ve built active exchange partnerships with top universities around the world, welcoming students from the Colorado School of Mines, Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, and others. Faculty members and professionals from various countries have also joined our community, bringing with them a wide range of expertise across different colleges and positions, which continues to enhance our academic and campus life. This global outlook is also reflected in the events we organize. Whether social, like KFUPM World, or academic, like the Second Saudi International Conference on Nuclear Power Engineering, many of our activities and celebrations are designed to promote international dialogue and cross-cultural engagement.