NIU delivers a standout performance in the Stanford/Elsevier list, highlighting the top 2% of the most cited scientists across the globe. In the rankings based on citations for 2023, which tends to favor researchers with a significant current impact, a total of 11 professors in NIU earned a place on the list.

Times Higher Education presents the University Impact Rankings for 2024, identifying and celebrating universities that excel across multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). NIU has earned a global ranking of 1,001 in the world. Additionally, NIU has earned Top 201th-300th in the SDG 15“Life on Land,” Top 301th-400th in the SDG 7“Affordable and Clean Energy,” and Top 601th-800th SDG 9“Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure” category.