2025 Good Universities Guide revealed - here's what you need to know
The Good Universities Guide features university performance ratings across numerous student-relevant criteria, in-depth field of study analysis and constructive editorial that provides overall direction for choosing the right university course.
The Good Universities Guide remains committed to ensuring the ratings are the most student-centric ratings within the industry. Built on a strong reputation spanning more than 25 years, the ratings are continually updated and improved with the most recent data, as well as being informed by feedback from students, families and educators.
The annual ratings are published in digital e-book and website and are part of the most comprehensive and independent source for information on higher education in Australia.
The Good Universities Guide compares all 42 Australian universities across measures of student experience and graduate outcomes including:
Full time employment
These universities have the highest proportion of graduates who are employed full-time four months after completing their courses, ensuring their graduates are job-ready and well-prepared for the workforce.
Teaching quality
These institutions have the highest proportion of undergraduates who provided a positiveevaluation of the teaching quality at their university, standing out for their engaging teaching practices.
These universities have the highest proportion of students who rate their educational experience positively, providing a positive learning environment for their students.
Staff qualificationsThese institutions have the highest percentage of doctoral-qualified teaching staff, ensuring students learn from experts in their fields.
Student-to-staff ratioThese universities have the lowest ratio of student enrolments to the number of full-time teaching and academic staff, including casual staff and excluding research only staff.
Learning resources
These institutions have the highest proportion of undergraduates who give a positive assessment of their learning resources.
Learner engagementThese universities have the highest amount of students who feel engaged with their learning at their university.
Skills development
These universities have the highest percentage of students who positively rated their skills development at university, aligning education with practical skill building for future careers.
First generation student access
These institutions enroll the highest proportion of students whose parents have not attended university. These students are the first in a generation to attend university and may be the first of their family.
Social equity
These universities have the highest proportion of students who come from a low socio-economic or disadvantaged background, leading in ensuring opportunities for students from low socio-economic areas.
Student support
These universities have the highest proportion of undergraduates who positively rated student support at their university, excelling in creating a supportive environment for students’ academic and personal wellbeing.
What are this year's highlights?
Regional universities have been standout performers this year, including the University of New England (UNE), which has been awarded 5 stars in categories such as full-time employment, educational experience, and social equity.
In Western Australia, Edith Cowan University received the most 5-star ratings across all categories in the state, including teaching quality, educational experience, learning resources, skills development and student support.
The University of Notre Dame Australia ranked as the #1 multi-state university for learner engagement and skills development, reflecting their emphasis on workplace experiences and a personalised approach to education and pastoral care.
