Census ranking: University of Padova first in Italy

Also this year Padova is first on the podium of mega-universities in Italy for the Censis ranking. 
Since 2009, the year in which the university was first in the hit of Italian universities, the University of Padua has firmly remained among the best in our country, always placing itself in first, second or third place in the ranking.

Excellent results for 2025 in the various sectors examined, with Communication and Digital Services standing out with a score of 110, followed by Employability with 94 points, Internationalization with 92 points, structures with 86 points, scholarships provided with 83 and Services with a score of 77. 
The average is 90.3, which puts us at the top of the ranking, followed by Bologna with 87.7 and Pisa with 84.7.

The Censis ranking compares the "performance" of universities, distinguishing them into mega state universities (with over 40,000 students), large state universities (from 20 to 40 thousand students), medium-sized state universities (from 10 to 20 thousand students), small state universities (up to 10,000 students), polytechnics and non-state universities.

«The confirmation of the first place in the Censis ranking for the second consecutive year is not only a source of pride for us. After last year's return to the top, the new recognition consolidates a path studded with commitment, consistency and daily attention to the quality of the degree courses, services and university life – says Daniela Mapelli, rector of the University of Padova -. Seeing our score grow further, from 89.5 to 90.3, confirms that, although we are aware of the difficulties, we are heading in the right direction. It is the result of the choral work of a large, aware and responsible academic community: made up of teachers, technical-administrative staff, students who believe in an idea of a public, inclusive university capable of innovation. My thanks go to all of them. We were able to further increase our performance in terms of services, facilities, communication and digital services, internationalisation and employability. We continue to pay particular attention to student welfare, and we do so through concrete policies to support the right to education. For example, also for next year, we have chosen to confirm the no-tax area up to 30,000 euros of ISEE, an economic and social commitment that we consider fundamental to ensure real and equal access to university education. This vision is accompanied by a strong push towards internationalization: agreements with foreign universities are increasing, mobility is growing, and more and more foreign students are choosing Padova as a place of study, research and personal growth. We are well aware that rankings reflect only a part of the complexity of a university: this result is therefore not a point of arrival, but a further incentive to work further. To strengthen our attractiveness, to support research, to train aware citizens, and to continue to make the University of Padua a space for growth, freedom and critical thinking».