| Features | ARWU | QS | THE |
| Country | China | UK | UK |
| Sponsor | Jiao Tong University | Quacquarelli Symonds | Higher Education Magazine |
| Partner | Clarivate Analytics | The Guardian | Elsevier |
| Data Source | Thompson Reuters | Thompson Reuters | Thompson Reuters |
| Citation Source | SCI, SCCI | SCI, SCCI | SCI, SCCI |
| Annual Update | August | June | September |
| Initial List | 1200 HEIs | 3400 HEIs | 2600 HEIs |
| Final List | 1000 HEIs | 1000 HEIs | 100 HEIs |