Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 Good Universities Guide Ratings
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The Good Universities Guide provides detailed university performance ratings across a wide range of student-focused criteria, in-depth analyses of study fields, and insightful editorial content designed to help students choose the right university course.
With a legacy of over 25 years, the Good Universities Guide remains dedicated to delivering the most student-centric ratings in the industry. The ratings are continually refined and updated using the latest available data, supported by valuable feedback from students, families, and educators.
Published annually through our website, the Good Universities Guide serves as Australia’s most comprehensive and independent source of higher education information.
What are this year's highlights?
Regional and smaller universities have once again emerged as standout performers in the 2026 Good Universities Guide ratings, showcasing their strong results in graduate outcomes and student experience.
The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) recorded the highest median graduate salary in Australia at $78,600, with other regional institutions close behind. Charles Sturt University (CSU) achieved the nation’s highest full-time employment rate, with 90% of graduates securing work within six months. Meanwhile, the University of Divinity excelled across multiple categories including teaching quality, educational experience, and student support and reported the lowest student-to-staff ratio (6:1) in the country.
The Good Universities Guide compares all 42 Australian universities across measures of student experience and graduate outcomes including:
These universities have the highest proportion of graduates who are employed full-time four months after completing their courses, ensuring their graduates are job-ready and well-prepared for the workforce.
These institutions have the highest proportion of undergraduates who provided a positiveevaluation of the teaching quality at their university, standing out for their engaging teaching practices.
These universities have the highest proportion of students who rate their educational experience positively, providing a positive learning environment for their students.
These institutions have the highest percentage of doctoral-qualified teaching staff, ensuring students learn from experts in their fields.
These universities have the lowest ratio of student enrolments to the number of full-time teaching and academic staff, including casual staff and excluding research only staff.
These institutions have the highest proportion of undergraduates who give a positive assessment of their learning resources.
These universities have the highest amount of students who feel engaged with their learning at their university.
These universities have the highest percentage of students who positively rated their skills development at university, aligning education with practical skill building for future careers.
These universities have the highest proportion of students who come from a low socio-economic or disadvantaged background, leading in ensuring opportunities for students from low socio-economic areas.
These universities have the highest proportion of undergraduates who positively rated student support at their university, excelling in creating a supportive environment for students’ academic and personal wellbeing.