Which Higher Education companies have the worst cybersecurity scores?

Rankiteo identifies Higher Education companies with 3,000+ employees that score lowest on the cyber resilience scale (0–1000). These organizations typically have unpatched vulnerabilities, misconfigured DNS/SSL, weak email security, or dark web exposure. The full ranking reveals the Bottom 100.

What cyber risks do low-scoring Higher Education companies face?

Low-scoring Higher Education companies face elevated risks including ransomware attacks, data breaches, supply-chain compromises, and regulatory penalties. Companies scoring below 600 (bands Caa, Ca, C) are statistically more likely to experience a cyber incident. Their weak posture often stems from exposed attack surfaces, outdated infrastructure, or inadequate security controls.

How can Higher Education companies improve their cybersecurity score?

Companies can improve their Rankiteo score by: patching critical vulnerabilities, properly configuring DNS records and SSL certificates, implementing SPF/DKIM/DMARC email authentication, reducing their external attack surface, monitoring for leaked credentials on the dark web, and establishing an incident response plan. Scores typically improve within weeks of remediation.

What is the cyber resilience scoring scale?

Rankiteo's cyber resilience score ranges from 0 to 1000. Companies are classified into bands: Aaa (900–1000) best-in-class, Aa (850–899) excellent, A (800–849) very good, Baa (750–799) good, Ba (700–749) adequate, B (650–699) below average, Caa (600–649) poor, Ca (550–599) very poor, and C (0–549) critical risk. The methodology combines automated external assessment of attack surface, vulnerabilities, configuration, and threat intelligence.

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

Cyber Incidents

Bottom 100

Shown

Add your company to the ranking

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

Scoring B or Below

Recorded Incidents

AI Analysis

Cyber Risk in Higher Education

Generating industry analysis...

Score Distribution

Aaa

0 (0.0%)

20 (14.5%)

Baa

86 (62.3%)

24 (17.4%)

6 (4.3%)

Caa

1 (0.7%)

0 (0.0%)

1 (0.7%)

#	Company	Label	Score	Band	Incidents
1	Dartmouth Collegedartmouth.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	381	C	4
2	Western Sydney Universitywesternsydney.edu.au	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	604	Caa	3
3	Princeton Universityprinceton.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	652	B	3
4	Apollo Education Groupapollo.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	662	B	2
5	Universidad de Castilla-La Manchauclm.es	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	671	B	1
6	Grand Valley State Universitygvsu.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	677	B	1
7	University of Pennsylvaniaupenn.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	680	B	2
8	Wichita State Universitywichita.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	699	B	1
9	University of Tasmaniautas.edu.au	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	700	Ba	1
10	Far Eastern Universityfeu.edu.ph	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	703	Ba	1
11	University of Essexessex.ac.uk	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	707	Ba	1
12	Australian Catholic Universityacu.edu.au	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	713	Ba	1
13	Johnson & Wales Universityjwu.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	713	Ba	1
14	Syracuse Universitysyracuse.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	715	Ba	1
15	University of Otagoac.nz	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	716	Ba	1
16	Auckland University of Technologyac.nz	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	717	Ba	1
17	Chapman Universitychapman.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	718	Ba	2
18	Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labradormun.ca	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	718	Ba	2
19	University of Colorado Bouldercolorado.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	722	Ba	1
20	Simon Fraser Universitysfu.ca	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	722	Ba	1
21	UCLAucla.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	724	Ba	1
22	Syracuse Universitysyracuse.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	726	Ba	1
23	Clemson Universitytig.rs	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	727	Ba	1
24	Newcastle Universityac.uk	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	727	Ba	1
25	Brigham Young Universitybyu.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	729	Ba	1
26	University of Düsseldorfhhu.de	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	730	Ba	2
27	Hope Collegehope.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	731	Ba	1
28	Harvard Universityharvard.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	734	Ba	2
29	Baruch Collegecuny.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	740	Ba	1
30	University of Portsmouthlinktr.ee	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	740	Ba	1
31	University of Massachusetts Lowelluml.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	741	Ba	2
32	Columbia Universitycolumbia.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	749	Ba	1
33	New York Universitynyu.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	755	Baa	1
34	Tshwane University of Technologyac.za	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	757	Baa	1
35	Université de Sherbrookeusherbrooke.ca	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	757	Baa	1
36	Stanford University School of Medicinestanford.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	759	Baa	2
37	Montana State University-Bozemanmontana.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	762	Baa	1
38	University of Marylandumd.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	765	Baa	1
39	Ben-Gurion University of the Negevbgu.ac.il	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	767	Baa	1
40	Texas Tech University Health Sciences Centerttuhsc.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	767	Baa	1
41	Goethe University Frankfurtuni-frankfurt.de	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	771	Baa	0
42	University of Leedsac.uk	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	771	Baa	1
43	Saxion University of Applied Sciencessaxion.nl	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	772	Baa	0
44	University of Phoenixuof.ph	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	772	Baa	1
45	University of Calgaryucalgary.ca	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	773	Baa	1
46	Universitat Autònoma de Barcelonauab.cat	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	774	Baa	1
47	University of Yorkac.uk	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	774	Baa	1
48	University of Minnesotaumn.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	775	Baa	1
49	Northeastern Universitynortheastern.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	776	Baa	1
50	The Australian National Universityanu.edu.au	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	779	Baa	1
51	Pima Community Collegepima.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	781	Baa	0
52	Tampere Universitytuni.fi	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	781	Baa	0
53	ECPI Universityecpi.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	782	Baa	0
54	King Faisal Universitykfu.edu.sa	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	782	Baa	0
55	University of Massachusettsyoutube.com	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	782	Baa	0
56	Bilkent Universitybilkent.edu.tr	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	783	Baa	0
57	California State University, FresnoFresnoState.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	783	Baa	1
58	Temasek Polytechnictp.edu.sg	-	783	Baa	0
59	Leipzig Universityuni-leipzig.de	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	783	Baa	0
60	University of Luxembourguni.lu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	783	Baa	0
61	The University of Waikatoac.nz	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	783	Baa	0
62	University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campuscuanschutz.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	784	Baa	0
63	Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahatiac.in	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	784	Baa	0
64	Illinois Institute of Technologyiit.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	784	Baa	0
65	Thomas Jefferson Universityjefferson.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	784	Baa	0
66	San José State Universitysjsu.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	785	Baa	1
67	St. John's Universitystjohns.edu	-	785	Baa	0
68	University of Liègeuliege.be	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	785	Baa	0
69	University of San Diegosandiego.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	785	Baa	0
70	University of Southern Californiausc.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	785	Baa	1
71	University of Limerickul.ie	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	785	Baa	0
72	Wake Forest Universitywfu.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	785	Baa	0
73	Colorado School of Minesmines.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	786	Baa	0
74	Edith Cowan Universityecu.edu.au	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	786	Baa	0
75	Nantes Universitéuniv-nantes.fr	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	786	Baa	0
76	University of Birminghamac.uk	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	787	Baa	1
77	UT Health San Antoniouthealthsa.org	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	787	Baa	0
78	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispocalpoly.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	788	Baa	0
79	The University of Texas at El Pasoutep.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	788	Baa	0
80	Universiti Putra Malaysiaupm.edu.my	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	788	Baa	0
81	Universidad de Puerto Ricoupr.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	788	Baa	0
82	University of Surreysurrey.ac.uk	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	788	Baa	0
83	Utah Valley Universityuvu.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	788	Baa	0
84	Victoria Universityvu.edu.au	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	788	Baa	0
85	Universidade do Portoup.pt	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	789	Baa	0
86	University of Saskatchewanusask.ca	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	789	Baa	0
87	Fashion Institute of Technologyfitnyc.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	790	Baa	0
88	Mississippi State Universitymsstate.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	790	Baa	0
89	Queen's University Belfastqub.ac.uk	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	790	Baa	0
90	University of Westminsterwestminster.ac.uk	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	790	Baa	0
91	Auburn Universityauburn.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	791	Baa	1
92	Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Universityerau.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	792	Baa	0
93	The Chinese University of Hong Kongcuhk.edu.hk	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	792	Baa	0
94	California State University, Northridgecsun.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	793	Baa	0
95	EPFLepfl.ch	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	794	Baa	0
96	Amsterdam University of Applied Scienceshva.nl	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	794	Baa	0
97	INACAPinacap.cl	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	794	Baa	0
98	Kansas State Universityk-state.edu	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	794	Baa	0
99	Stellenbosch Universitysun.ac.za	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	794	Baa	0
100	University of the Philippinesup.edu.ph	Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	794	Baa	0

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 (P_inc): 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 (A_ind): 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.

Explore More Rankings

Compare cybersecurity performance across industries and perspectives. Use these resources to benchmark risk and identify improvement opportunities.

🏆Best Higher Education CompaniesSee the highest-scoring companies in this industry ⚠Worst Companies - All IndustriesCompare highest-risk companies across every sector 📈Top Companies - All IndustriesDiscover the most cyber-resilient companies across sectors