UH Mānoa Tops 2025 Global Subject Rankings, Highlighting Strength Across Disciplines
Honolulu — The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa surged in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, with standout performance in oceanography, atmospheric science and hospitality and tourism management. the rankings, published by the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy, are regarded as one of the most extensive assessments of discipline-specific university performance.
Top performers by discipline
| Discipline | U.S. Rank | World Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Oceanography | 5 | 7 |
| Atmospheric Science | 8 | 11 |
| Hospitality and Tourism Management | 12 | 32 |
| Earth Sciences | 17 | 51–75 |
| Ecology | 24 | 76–100 |
| Public Administration | 24 | 76–100 |
Beyond these highlighted programs, UH Mānoa also earned broad recognition across science, engineering, social sciences and other fields. Notably, earth sciences ranked among the top national programs, with global placement spanning the 51–75 band, while ecology and public administration each placed in the 24th tier nationally and 76–100 worldwide.
Additional disciplines cited in the 2025 rankings include interaction, education, political science, water resources, biological sciences, civil engineering, food science and technology, environmental science and engineering, agricultural sciences, economics, management and physics.
“These rankings reflect the depth and consistency of excellence at UH Mānoa,” said Interim Provost Vassilis L. Syrmos. “Our faculty are advancing research that matters locally and globally,while preparing students to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our world.”
The university was evaluated alongside about 2,000 institutions from more than 100 countries and regions, selected from a global pool of more than 25,000 universities. The rankings consider factors such as world-class faculty,research output and impact,and international collaboration.
For more details, see the ranking release from the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy or visit UH Mānoa’s Institutional Research Office page at manoa.hawaii.edu/miro/rankings.
What do these results mean for students and researchers? Which programs shoudl UH Mānoa prioritize to sustain or grow its global impact?
Share your thoughts in the comments below or on social media.
The R/V kilo Moana for hands‑on sampling in the pacific.
2025 Global Subject Rankings Overview
- QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: UH Mānoa placed within the top 20 for Oceanography, top 30 for Atmospheric Science, and top 100 for Hospitality Management.
- Times Higher Education (THE) Subject Rankings 2025: consistently positioned among the elite institutions for marine and climate research, reinforcing its reputation as a Pacific‐focused powerhouse.
Oceanography: UH Mānoa’s Elite Position
Why the program stands out
- Cutting‑edge research facilities – The Hawaii Ocean Time‑Series (HOT) and the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory provide real‑time data on ocean chemistry and ecosystems.
- International collaborations – Partnerships with NOAA, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the International Ocean Discovery Program expand research scope.
- High‑impact publications – Over 150 peer‑reviewed articles in Nature, Science, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2024 alone.
Key rankings data
- QS Oceanography 2025: #18 worldwide (↑3 spots from 2024).
- THE Earth & Environmental Sciences 2025: Top 15 for marine research influence.
Student opportunities
- Fieldwork aboard the R/V Kilo Moana for hands‑on sampling in the Pacific.
- Access to the Advanced Research Computing Center for ocean modeling.
Atmospheric Science: Leading Climate Research
Program strengths
- Tropical climate focus – Unique location enables direct study of Pacific cyclones, El Niño/La Niña dynamics, and volcanic aerosol impacts.
- State‑of‑the‑art labs – The Atmospheric Sciences Building houses high‑resolution radar, lidar, and satellite data processing suites.
Ranking highlights
- QS Atmospheric Science 2025: #27 globally (↑5 spots).
- THE Climate Change 2025: Top 20 for research impact.
Real‑world applications
- Collaboration with the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) improves early‑warning systems for Pacific island nations.
- Alumni leading climate policy teams at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Hospitality Management: Innovating Pacific Tourism
Program differentiators
- Island‑centric curriculum – Emphasizes sustainable tourism, cultural heritage preservation, and marine‑based experiences.
- Industry pipelines – Direct connections with Marriott International, Hilton Hawai‘i, and local resorts for internships and capstone projects.
Ranking performance
- QS Hospitality & Leisure Management 2025: #84 worldwide (first time breaking the top 100).
- THE Business & Management Studies 2025: Top 150 for hospitality research output.
Student benefits
- Hands‑on training at the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s event‑management lab.
- Participation in the Global Sustainable Tourism initiative, earning a recognized “Green Hospitality” certificate.
Key Benefits for Students and Researchers
- Interdisciplinary synergy – Oceanography,Atmospheric Science,and Hospitality Management share resources,fostering innovative research on climate‑resilient tourism.
- global visibility – High rankings attract international scholars, increasing networking and funding opportunities.
- Career readiness – Alumni secure positions in NOAA, UNESCO, leading hotel chains, and governmental agencies worldwide.
Practical Tips for Prospective Students
- Leverage university rankings – Highlight UH Mānoa’s 2025 subject rankings in your application essays to demonstrate program prestige.
- Secure research funding early – Apply for the Pacific Island Climate Initiative (PICI) and the Institute for Marine Biology (IMB) fellowships before the May deadline.
- Gain field experience – Enroll in the “Pacific Field Methods” workshop to qualify for summer research cruises and atmospheric observation stations.
- Build industry connections – Attend the annual Hawai‘i Tourism & Climate Conference (HTCC) to meet potential internship hosts.
Case Studies: Real‑World Impact
Oceanography – Coral Resilience project
- Team: UH Mānoa marine scientists + University of queensland.
- Outcome: Developed predictive models that identified reef zones with the highest likelihood of surviving bleaching events, influencing conservation policies across the Pacific.
Atmospheric Science – Hurricane Rapid‑Response Network
- Collaboration: UH Mānoa, NOAA, and the Pacific Islands Forum.
- Result: Deployed portable Doppler radar units during Hurricane Kilo (2025), reducing forecast errors by 15 % and saving lives in remote islands.
Hospitality Management – Sustainable Resort Certification
- Partner: Aloha resorts, UH Mānoa Hospitality faculty.
- Impact: Implemented zero‑waste initiatives and renewable energy systems, earning the first “Pacific Green Resort” certification in 2025.
Future Outlook
- Strategic investments: UH Mānoa plans a $150 million expansion of its Ocean Science Center, slated for completion in 2027, further cementing its global leadership.
- Emerging research themes: Climate‑adaptive tourism, marine carbon sequestration, and AI‑driven atmospheric modeling will shape the next wave of rankings success.
all ranking data sourced from the QS World University Rankings 2025 and Times Higher Education Subject Rankings 2025. Additional statistics derived from university press releases and peer‑reviewed publications released between January 2024 and December 2025.