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Top 100 Worst Higher Education Companies

Identify the lowest-scoring Higher Education companies with 3,000+ employees. Understand where critical cyber risk exposure exists in this industry. 138 companies scored.

807
Companies in Industry
138
Scored
768.2
Avg Score
72
Cyber Incidents
Bottom 100
Shown

Higher Education Cybersecurity Risk Assessment - Lowest-Scoring Companies in 2026

Out of 807 higher education companies with 3,000+ employees monitored by Rankiteo, this page highlights the Bottom 100 organizations with the weakest cybersecurity posture. These rankings are based on our proprietary Cyber Resilience Score, which integrates time-decayed incident exposure, sector-sensitive impact analysis, and market-cap-aware baseline and dampening to produce a single, interpretable score between 100 and 1,000.

Companies at the bottom of this ranking carry the heaviest accumulated cyber incident burden - including recent or severe ransomware attacks, data breaches with significant financial losses or records exposed, and repeated disclosure events. Their scores are further influenced by sector-specific impact multipliers that amplify penalties in high-criticality industries. Understanding where these risk concentrations exist is essential for supply chain risk management, regulatory compliance, and competitive benchmarking within the higher education industry.

The current average score for Higher Education companies with 3,000+ employees is 768.2 out of 1,000. Companies shown below score significantly lower than this average, falling far behind an industry that generally maintains reasonable security standards.

Risk Highlights

794
Lowest Score
768.2
Industry Average
6%
Scoring B or Below
72
Recorded Incidents
AI Analysis

Cyber Risk in Higher Education

Generating industry analysis...

Score Distribution

Aaa
0 (0.0%)
Aa
0 (0.0%)
A
20 (14.5%)
Baa
86 (62.3%)
Ba
24 (17.4%)
B
6 (4.3%)
Caa
1 (0.7%)
Ca
0 (0.0%)
C
1 (0.7%)
#CompanyLabelScoreBandIncidentsScore Bar
1
Dartmouth Collegedartmouth.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools381C4
2
Western Sydney Universitywesternsydney.edu.au
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools604Caa3
3
Princeton Universityprinceton.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools652B3
4
Apollo Education Groupapollo.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools662B2
5
Universidad de Castilla-La Manchauclm.es
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools671B1
6
Grand Valley State Universitygvsu.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools677B1
7
University of Pennsylvaniaupenn.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools680B2
8
Wichita State Universitywichita.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools699B1
9
University of Tasmaniautas.edu.au
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools700Ba1
10
Far Eastern Universityfeu.edu.ph
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools703Ba1
11
University of Essexessex.ac.uk
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools707Ba1
12
Australian Catholic Universityacu.edu.au
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools713Ba1
13
Johnson & Wales Universityjwu.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools713Ba1
14
Syracuse Universitysyracuse.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools715Ba1
15
University of Otagoac.nz
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools716Ba1
16
Auckland University of Technologyac.nz
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools717Ba1
17
Chapman Universitychapman.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools718Ba2
18
Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labradormun.ca
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools718Ba2
19
University of Colorado Bouldercolorado.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools722Ba1
20
Simon Fraser Universitysfu.ca
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools722Ba1
21
UCLAucla.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools724Ba1
22
Syracuse Universitysyracuse.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools726Ba1
23
Clemson Universitytig.rs
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools727Ba1
24
Newcastle Universityac.uk
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools727Ba1
25
Brigham Young Universitybyu.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools729Ba1
26
University of Düsseldorfhhu.de
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools730Ba2
27
Hope Collegehope.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools731Ba1
28
Harvard Universityharvard.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools734Ba2
29
Baruch Collegecuny.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools740Ba1
30
University of Portsmouthlinktr.ee
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools740Ba1
31
University of Massachusetts Lowelluml.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools741Ba2
32
Columbia Universitycolumbia.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools749Ba1
33
New York Universitynyu.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools755Baa1
34
Tshwane University of Technologyac.za
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools757Baa1
35
Université de Sherbrookeusherbrooke.ca
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools757Baa1
36
Stanford University School of Medicinestanford.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools759Baa2
37
Montana State University-Bozemanmontana.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools762Baa1
38
University of Marylandumd.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools765Baa1
39
Ben-Gurion University of the Negevbgu.ac.il
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools767Baa1
40
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centerttuhsc.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools767Baa1
41
Goethe University Frankfurtuni-frankfurt.de
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools771Baa0
42
University of Leedsac.uk
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools771Baa1
43
Saxion University of Applied Sciencessaxion.nl
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools772Baa0
44
University of Phoenixuof.ph
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools772Baa1
45
University of Calgaryucalgary.ca
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools773Baa1
46
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelonauab.cat
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools774Baa1
47
University of Yorkac.uk
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools774Baa1
48
University of Minnesotaumn.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools775Baa1
49
Northeastern Universitynortheastern.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools776Baa1
50
The Australian National Universityanu.edu.au
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools779Baa1
51
Pima Community Collegepima.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools781Baa0
52
Tampere Universitytuni.fi
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools781Baa0
53
ECPI Universityecpi.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools782Baa0
54
King Faisal Universitykfu.edu.sa
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools782Baa0
55
University of Massachusettsyoutube.com
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools782Baa0
56
Bilkent Universitybilkent.edu.tr
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools783Baa0
57
California State University, FresnoFresnoState.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools783Baa1
58
Temasek Polytechnictp.edu.sg
-783Baa0
59
Leipzig Universityuni-leipzig.de
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools783Baa0
60
University of Luxembourguni.lu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools783Baa0
61
The University of Waikatoac.nz
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools783Baa0
62
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campuscuanschutz.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools784Baa0
63
Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahatiac.in
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools784Baa0
64
Illinois Institute of Technologyiit.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools784Baa0
65
Thomas Jefferson Universityjefferson.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools784Baa0
66
San José State Universitysjsu.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools785Baa1
67
St. John's Universitystjohns.edu
-785Baa0
68
University of Liègeuliege.be
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools785Baa0
69
University of San Diegosandiego.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools785Baa0
70
University of Southern Californiausc.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools785Baa1
71
University of Limerickul.ie
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools785Baa0
72
Wake Forest Universitywfu.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools785Baa0
73
Colorado School of Minesmines.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools786Baa0
74
Edith Cowan Universityecu.edu.au
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools786Baa0
75
Nantes Universitéuniv-nantes.fr
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools786Baa0
76
University of Birminghamac.uk
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools787Baa1
77
UT Health San Antoniouthealthsa.org
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools787Baa0
78
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispocalpoly.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools788Baa0
79
The University of Texas at El Pasoutep.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools788Baa0
80
Universiti Putra Malaysiaupm.edu.my
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools788Baa0
81
Universidad de Puerto Ricoupr.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools788Baa0
82
University of Surreysurrey.ac.uk
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools788Baa0
83
Utah Valley Universityuvu.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools788Baa0
84
Victoria Universityvu.edu.au
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools788Baa0
85
Universidade do Portoup.pt
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools789Baa0
86
University of Saskatchewanusask.ca
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools789Baa0
87
Fashion Institute of Technologyfitnyc.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools790Baa0
88
Mississippi State Universitymsstate.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools790Baa0
89
Queen's University Belfastqub.ac.uk
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools790Baa0
90
University of Westminsterwestminster.ac.uk
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools790Baa0
91
Auburn Universityauburn.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools791Baa1
92
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Universityerau.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools792Baa0
93
The Chinese University of Hong Kongcuhk.edu.hk
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools792Baa0
94
California State University, Northridgecsun.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools793Baa0
95
EPFLepfl.ch
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools794Baa0
96
Amsterdam University of Applied Scienceshva.nl
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools794Baa0
97
INACAPinacap.cl
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools794Baa0
98
Kansas State Universityk-state.edu
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools794Baa0
99
Stellenbosch Universitysun.ac.za
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools794Baa0
100
University of the Philippinesup.edu.ph
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools794Baa0

How Cyber Risk Scores Are Calculated

Rankiteo's Cyber Resilience Score produces a single value between 100 and 1,000 for each organization, where higher scores indicate lower estimated cyber risk. The framework integrates three principal components that together balance evidence, context, and comparability across industries and company sizes. Learn more in our AI Cyber Score methodology.

Core Scoring Components

  • Time-Decayed Incident Exposure (Pinc): Every confirmed cyber incident - ransomware, data breach, cyber attack, or disclosed vulnerability - contributes a penalty weighted by recency and scaled by quantitative severity (financial loss and records exposed). Category-specific base weights reflect real-world impact: ransomware (100 pts), data breach (60 pts), cyber attack (20 pts), and vulnerability (5 pts). Each category decays at a different rate - roughly 3 years for ransomware and data breaches, 2 years for cyber attacks, and 18 months for vulnerabilities - so older, lower-impact events fade while recent, severe incidents retain lasting influence.
  • Sector-Sensitive Impact Multipliers: Identical incidents carry different weight depending on the industry. Each NAICS sector receives multipliers based on four dimensions: safety-of-life risk, service continuity, regulatory/legal exposure, and data sensitivity. A ransomware attack on a hospital or utility carries a higher penalty than the same attack on a retail company, reflecting the greater real-world consequences.
  • Market-Cap Baseline & Dampening: A logistic baseline between 750 and 850 anchors each company's starting score based on organizational size. A continuous dampening factor attenuates incident penalties for very large firms, recognizing higher disclosure rates and greater absorption capacity - without masking genuinely severe events.
  • Industry Adjustment (Aind): A bounded additive term derived from NAICS-level historical incident-rate z-scores. This rewards companies in historically resilient sectors, but only when they maintain a clean or near-clean record. Once material incidents occur, firm-specific performance dominates.
  • Quantitative Severity Scaling: When financial loss or records-exposed data is available, incident penalties are amplified proportionally - scaled relative to market capitalization so the same dollar loss has a larger effect on a smaller firm. The combined severity multiplier caps at 3×.
  • Ransomware Recurrence Escalation: Repeated ransomware events trigger a bounded recurrence multiplier (up to 1.5×), reflecting elevated systemic risk from persistent adversarial footholds or remediation failures.

Understanding the Risk Bands

Each score maps to a letter-grade band. Companies appearing in this lowest-scoring ranking typically fall in the bottom bands:

  • Aaa (900–1,000): Exceptional cyber resilience - very few companies in a worst list reach this level.
  • Aa (800–899): Very strong security posture with minimal weaknesses.
  • A (700–799): Strong practices with some areas for improvement.
  • Baa (600–699): Adequate protection but notable security configuration gaps exist.
  • Ba (500–599): Below average - multiple risk areas require attention.
  • B (400–499): Weak security with significant exposure across categories.
  • Caa (300–399): Very weak with a high probability of exploitable vulnerabilities.
  • Ca (200–299): Critically poor with severe, widespread security gaps.
  • C (0–199): Extreme risk - immediate remediation is needed across all dimensions.

Why Monitoring Low-Scoring Higher Education Companies Matters

Cybersecurity risk doesn't exist in isolation. If your organization works with, purchases from, or shares data with companies in the higher education sector, their security weaknesses become your risk. Supply chain attacks - where adversaries compromise a less-secure vendor to reach a larger target - have become one of the most common and damaging attack vectors in recent years.

By identifying the lowest-scoring higher education companies, procurement teams, risk managers, CISOs, and compliance officers can:

  • Flag third-party vendors that may introduce unacceptable risk into the supply chain.
  • Require cybersecurity improvement plans as part of vendor management and contract renewal processes.
  • Benchmark their own organization against industry peers and understand where the floor lies.
  • Satisfy regulatory due-diligence requirements such as those mandated by NIS2, DORA, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 supply chain provisions.

Rankiteo continuously monitors 807 higher education companies with 3,000+ employees, keeping these rankings up to date so you always have an accurate, current picture of the sector's risk landscape.

Top 100 Worst Higher Education Companies by Cybersecurity Score (2026) | Rankiteo