UMass Agricultural, Food Sciences Programs Recognized in Global Rankings

AMHERST — The UMass Amherst agricultural sciences and food sciences and technology programs have again been ranked among the top 10 worldwide in the 2026-27 Best Global Universities by U.S. News & World Report.

The 12th annual edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Global Universities rankings, evaluating more than 2,250 institutions in the U.S. and more than 100 countries across 51 academic disciplines, were released June 16. The rankings were based on a methodology using data and metrics from Clarivate, which weighs factors measuring a university’s global and regional research reputation and academic research performance.

The Department of Food Science — the oldest of its kind in the country, with internationally recognized faculty members who have made significant contributions to the field — again ranked first in the U.S. and fifth globally out of 250 institutions in the Food Science and Technology category. UMass Amherst’s food science program has placed among the top 10 in the global rankings since 2018 and has placed first in the U.S. at least five times.

“The Department of Food Science is not only a world leader in food chemistry, safety, and processing, but is leading in how we envision the future of food for a healthier planet,” said Mike Fox, dean of the College of Natural Sciences, which oversees both programs. “This consistent recognition by U.S. News & World Report reflects the creativity, focus, and dedication of all the faculty, staff, and students in the department. We are truly proud of them and congratulate them on this recognition.”

For the seventh consecutive year, UMass Amherst maintained its top ranking in the U.S. and eighth globally in the Agricultural Sciences category, which includes horticulture, food science and nutrition, dairy science, and agronomy programs at 500 institutions.

“Addressing the complex challenges facing agriculture—from sustainable food production and climate resilience to environmental stewardship and human health — requires innovative, interdisciplinary approaches,” said Baoshan Xing, director of the UMass Amherst Stockbridge School of Agriculture and Distinguished Professor of environmental and soil chemistry. “This continued high ranking reflects not only the exceptional work of our faculty, staff, and students in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, but our partners in the agricultural sciences in the College of Natural Sciences and across the entire campus.”