# Italian university academic performance and administration > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-university-academic-performance-and-administration > Updated: 2026-09-23T14:01:41.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. Italian higher education institutions have appeared in various academic performance assessments. According to Censis rankings, Sapienza University of Rome performed strongly within Italy, ranking third among large universities with over 40,000 students. However, the 2026 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) showed that Italian institutions did not reach the global top 100. Sapienza University of Rome was the highest-ranked Italian institution in the ARWU at 153rd. While the ARWU focuses on research metrics, other rankings such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education placed Sapienza at 128th and 170th, respectively. In conjunction with these academic evaluations, Sapienza University of Rome is preparing for rector elections scheduled for October 6 to 9, with five validated candidates. Student groups, such as the Unione degli universitari (Udu), have indicated they seek a leader capable of negotiating for improved student housing, transportation, and research funding. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-23: Italian universities miss global top 100 in ARWU research rankings Italian universities, led by La Sapienza, fall outside the global top 100 in the research-focused ARWU 2026 rankings, while Sapienza prepares for upcoming rector elections. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-universities-miss-global-top-100-in-arwu-research-rankings ### 2026-09-14: Sapienza University ranks third in Italy according to Censis The Censis rankings place Sapienza University of Rome third among Italy's largest universities, while Luiss leads the non-state sector. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sapienza-university-ranks-third-in-italy-according-to-censis --- Cite as: Italian university academic performance and administration. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-university-academic-performance-and-administration