Two of Italy’s most prestigious creative institutions have achieved a milestone in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 — both entering the global top 50 in art & design, each for the first time. This result places Italy firmly on the world map of creative education and demonstrates that Italian design schools are not merely keeping pace with global competitors — they are actively setting the standard.
NABA secured 41st place, cementing its position as the highest-ranked Italian art academy in the category, while Istituto Marangoni climbed to 45th, making its first-ever entry into the top 50. Both results represent a significant leap forward compared to their previous positions within the broader top 100, reflecting years of dedicated work to strengthen academic programs, international reach, and industry relevance.
A particularly notable achievement for both institutions is the sharp rise in Employer Reputation — a key indicator reflecting how highly the global creative industries value their students. Istituto Marangoni’s score in this area surged from 51.4 to 71.4, while NABA’s continued recognition from international recruiters has been a decisive factor throughout the institution’s sixth consecutive year in the ranking. This tells a clear story: employers worldwide actively seek graduates from these schools, convinced of their preparation, creativity, and professional maturity.
QS World University Rankings by Subject is one of the most authoritative and competitive global benchmarks in higher education, analyzing over 6,200 institutions across 166 countries. Securing a place in the top 50 in such a selective field is a distinction that few institutions worldwide can claim.
These results reflect long-term investments in academic excellence, industry partnerships, and the quality of creative education in fashion, design, and art — positioning both schools as true global leaders in shaping the next generation of creative talent, and as a source of well-deserved pride for Italian creative education as a whole.
