In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2021, which were released on April 21 by the British higher education journal Times Higher Education (THE), Ritsumeikan University placed 201-300 overall and earned the highest rating among private Japanese universities for the second year in a row.

The THE Impact Rankings assess universities in terms of how their research and social outreach activities contribute to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations, and universities can apply for the goals that match their respective strengths. This was the third year that THE published its Impact Rankings, and a record high 1,240 institutions from around the world were assessed.

In the goal-specific rankings, Ritsumeikan University earned the highest rating among Japanese universities for SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), and it ranked within the top 100s in the world for SDG 2 (Zero hunger), SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), SDG 14 (Life below water), and SDG 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions).