The University of Otago is consistently ranked among the top universities in New Zealand and globally. According to the 2023 QS World University Rankings, it holds the 217th position worldwide and is 2nd in New Zealand. The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023 place it in the 201–250 bracket globally.
Otago excels in research, particularly in health sciences, humanities, and environmental studies. Its strong academic reputation, high employer satisfaction, and international collaborations contribute to its rankings. Prospective students should consider program-specific rankings, as performance varies by discipline.