Cambridge vs Durham for University
City comparison (ranking evidence)
| Metric | Cambridge | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| Ranked universities | 3 | 2 |
| In global consensus top 200 | 3 | 2 |
| Best QS 2026 world rank | 1 | 62 |
| Top university (consensus rank) | Massachusetts Institute of Technology · #1 | Duke University · #36 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Cambridge or Durham a better student city?
Both are established university cities. On ranking evidence: Cambridge has 3 ranked universities in our data and Durham has 2. The highest-ranked institution across the two cities is Massachusetts Institute of Technology (consensus #1, Cambridge). A "best student city" also depends on cost of living, safety, transport, job opportunities and lifestyle — factors rankings don't capture. QS publishes a separate Best Student Cities index that weighs these directly.
Which universities are in Cambridge and Durham?
In Cambridge: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (#1), Harvard University (#2), University of Cambridge (#5). In Durham: Duke University (#36), Durham University (#185). See the full lists on our city ranking pages.
How many top-200 universities are in Cambridge and Durham?
Cambridge has 3 universities in EduRank's global consensus top 200, and Durham has 2. The consensus averages percentile performance across QS, THE, ARWU and U.S. News.
Cite this page: EduRank (2026). Cambridge vs Durham for University. https://edurank.co/compare/city/cambridge-vs-durham/
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