Where in the World Are the Best Universities for Blockchain in 2022?

Released this week, the Best Universities for Blockchain 2022 by CoinDesk serves as a global resource for those looking to study this important technology. Four primary categories were investigated to determine the best universities for blockchain across the globe: (1) an institution’s strength in research and academic contributions to advancing the field; (2) the existing blockchain offerings on campus, whether in the form of classes, educational centers, clubs, etc.; (3) employment and industry outcomes; and (4) overall academic reputation. Every university received an individual score in each category. These scores were then normalized and added together to determine the overall score for the university and its rank.

The 50 schools we ranked came from just four regions: Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia and the Pacific Islands. Asia and the Pacific Islands dominated the list with 20 schools. A closer examination of the schools by region showed clear strengths among each of the four metrics.

Universities in Asia and the Pacific Islands had the highest average overall score of 63.7, as well as the highest average research output score for regions with more than one school on the list. Asia and the Pacific Islands cemented its place as the top region for blockchain education with the sheer volume of research it is producing in the blockchain space. Sixty percent of the top 10 research producers are located in Asia and the Pacific Islands.

North America has 16 universities in our final 50 and they also achieved the second-highest average overall score of 57. North American schools scored the highest in campus blockchain offerings. While North American schools may be lagging behind their Asian and Pacific Island counterparts in blockchain research production, they tended to offer a greater variety of blockchain classes, have more research centers on campus and more student clubs dedicated to blockchain technology – all of which are counted in the campus blockchain offerings score. Graduates from North American universities also tended to have improved employment outcomes, yet another metric we measured, compared to other regions.

Although Europe did not come out on top in any category by region that was investigated, the 13 European schools that made our final ranking scored second-highest in reputation and employment outcomes. Survey respondents viewed European universities as more prestigious than their Asian, Pacific Island or Middle Eastern counterparts.

This year only one university in the Middle East made the Top Universities for Blockchain in 2022. King Saud University stood out from all but one U.S. school – Cornell University – for its number of blockchain research published papers and citations. The university has been investigating how blockchain technology can improve supply chains and energy grids.