ZU in the current Rankings

ZU's attitude towards rankings is simple: it's better to come and see for yourself than just to believe the rankings.


However, in spite of the methodological difficulties, we will show you the three current ranking results of our Economics, Communication & Cultural Management, and Politics, Administration & International Relations programs at this time.

StudyCHECK Ranking

On the StudyCHECK study information portal, prospective students can find out about German and Austrian degree programmes and rate them. Zeppelin University's degree programmes are continuously evaluated by students and alumni and the results are impressive. 99% would recommend studying at Zeppelin University to others and award a "very good" for the study situation.


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Alle Bewertungen lesen

CHE University Ranking

The CHE University Ranking re-evaluates subjects at German Universities and Colleges every year. It is considered the most comprehensive and detailed ranking of its kind in the German-speaking world and is also used in other countries. More than 300 universities and universities of applied sciences were examined and more than 120,000 students were surveyed. In addition to facts about studies, teaching, facilities and research, the ranking includes students' judgements about the study conditions at their University.

CHE Ranking SIegel

CHE University Ranking 2023/2024: top position again for bachelor and master in economics

"We are very pleased that the excellent quality in teaching and research is reflected in the ranking results now published. At the same time, the excellent results strengthen us in our claim and in our motivation to continue to focus on the satisfaction of our students in particular in the future."

Professor Dr  Klaus Mühlhahn| president of Zeppelin University

Zeppelin University (ZU) is once again among the top-ranked universities in the just published University Ranking 2023/24 of the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE). In the area of bachelor's and master's degree programs in economics, it occupies a top position among all German universities and colleges.


Satisfaction with the general study situation was rated as outstanding. ZU also landed in the top group of all German universities and colleges in, among other things, the supervision by the teaching staff, the support during studies and for studying abroad, the range of courses and the digital teaching elements, the organization of studies, the practical orientation in teaching, the offers for career orientation, as well as the room and library equipment and the IT infrastructure. In terms of doctorates per professor, economics at ZU also performs above average.


This is now the sixth time that the CHE University Ranking has examined the study programs in economics at ZU. In all rankings conducted, ZU landed in a top position. In 2014, 2017, and 2020, rankings were also conducted separately for the first time in the master's program in economics, in which ZU also achieved top rankings.


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CHE University Ranking 2021/2022: Top Ranking for Bachelor's and Master's in Political Science

"Just like the high number of applicants, the recent excellent results confirm the high attractiveness, topicality and acceptance of our PAIR study program. It reflects the high satisfaction of our students with the study conditions at ZU, from teaching and research to the international orientation of the program."

Professor Dr Klaus Mühlhahn | President of Zeppelin University

Zeppelin University (ZU) has again achieved a top position in the just published University Ranking 2021/22 of the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE). In the field of political science, the ZU program in Political Science, Administrative Science and International Relations (PAIR) was among the best-ranked among all German universities and colleges in both the Bachelor's and Master's programs.

The CHE attests the PAIR program "excellent study conditions" for students overall.

It also receives numerous very good ratings, including for the support provided by the lecturers, the support provided at the beginning of the course and during the course of study, as well as for studying abroad, the range of courses offered, the organization of the course, the examinations and the academic relevance, as well as for equipment features. This is now the fourth time that the CHE University Ranking has examined ZU's political and administrative sciences. Already in 2011/12 and 2015 as well as in 2018/19, the study program also achieved top rankings among all German universities and colleges.


CHE University Ranking 2020/2021: Once again top position for Economic Sciences

ZU has once again achieved a top position among Germany's Universities and Colleges in the published University Ranking 2020/21 of the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE). In the area of Bachelor's and Master Degree Programs in economics, it ranked joint first with Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main among all German Universities.

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CHE University Ranking 2018/2019: 1st place for Political Science

ZU has once again achieved a top position in the 2018/19 University Ranking of the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE). In the field of Political Science, the degree program in Politics, Administration & International Relations (PAIR) was among the best ranked of all German Universities and Colleges in both the Bachelor's and Master's programs. In 16 of 17 categories, PAIR is among the top performers and thus occupies first place among political science degree programs in Germany.
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CHE University Ranking 2017/2018: Top 3 for Bachelor's and Master's in Economics

"To be placed in the top group four times in a row confirms the sustained high quality and acceptance of our study programs in economics."

Prof Dr Insa Sjurts | ZU President

In the 2017/18 University Ranking published by the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE), ZU achieved a top position among Germany's Universities and Colleges. In the area of bachelor and master programs in Economics, it was placed in the top 3 of all German Universities.

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CHE University Ranking 2015/2016: Top position for PAIR

In the recently published 2015/16 University Ranking by the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE), ZU has achieved a top position among Germany's universities and colleges. In the field of political science, the ZU program in Politics, Administration and International Relations (PAIR) ranked third among all German Universities.

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CHE University Ranking 2014/2015: 1st place for the Master's in Economics

CHE-Ranking: Spitzenplatz für die ZU.

ZU has once again achieved a top position among Germany's Universities and Colleges in the 2014/15 Master's University Ranking of the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE). In the field of economics, it ranked first among all German Universities together with the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.
Satisfaction with the overall study situation and the studyability of the subjects, the international orientation of the study Programs, the range of courses and the support provided by the lecturers were examined. The ZU Master Program received top marks in all five areas.


In the CHE University Ranking, one third of the subjects at German Universities and Colleges are re-evaluated every year. In the new Master Program Ranking, business administration and economics were now examined.


To the entire CHE-Ranking

CHE-Hochschulranking 2011/2012: Platz 1 für die Kommunikations- und Kulturwissenschaften


In the 2011/12 CHE University Rankings, Zeppelin University once again achieved a top position among Germany's Universities and Colleges. In the area of Communication and Cultural Management it came 1st (up from 8th the previous year), it came 4th in Public Management and Governance (5th the previous year), while in Economics it came 6th (15th the year before) among all of Germany's universities. All three ZU departments received top scores.

The results of the individual study Programs:

  • The Communication & Cultural Management Programs at ZU received 1st place among all Universities, and were ahead of established and renowned institutions such as the University of Music, Theater and Media in Hannover. By comparison, in the 2008 rankings, ZU’s Communication & Cultural Management programs came in 8th place.
  • The Public Management & Governance Program received 4th place nationally and moved up one place compared to the 2008 rankings. ZU was placed ahead of FU Berlin and Potsdam University, among others.
  • The Economics Program made the biggest leap ahead: from 15th place in 2008, it climbed to 6th place, and landed in the top group along with the University of Mannheim, TU Munich and WHU Vallendar.


As pleasing as those results are, since its establishment ZU hasn't attached too much importance to generalized rankings. "Owing to the gratifying segmentation of higher education in Germany, the individualization of study for students is paramount – and that has to be experienced on site". "Everyone for themselves”, says Student Vice President Lena Schulze-Gabrechten about ZU’s approach, which is reflected in the various student academies and forms of direct teaching experience, as well as the unique selection process.

About the ranking method: One third of the subjects are re-evaluated each year in the CHE University Rankings. This year it is the study of law, economics, and sociology, as well as media studies, communication science, and social work. It is considered the most comprehensive and detailed ranking of its kind in German-speaking countries and is also being implemented in other countries. More than 300 Universities and technical colleges were assessed. Along with details regarding the study program, teaching approach, equipment, and research, the ranking also includes the evaluation of more than 250,000 students relating to study conditions at their University. The weekly newspaper “DIE ZEIT” publishes selected data about the students' evaluations, about research indicators and about the Universities' reputations or their facilities in their “ZEIT Studienführer 2011/12” ("ZEIT study guide 2011/12").


To the entire CHE-Ranking

CHE University Ranking 2011/2012: Master's in Economics in top position

The Master Program in Economics at Zeppelin University is one of the best in Germany. In the new Master's ranking of the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE) published in mid-December 2011, ZU's two-year Master Program in Economics was awarded a top ranking. In all five categories of study situation, support by lecturers, transition to the Master Program, practical relevance and academic relevance, the ZU Master Program was awarded a green point and thus in the top group. Besides ZU, only the Programs offered by the Universities of Augsburg, Mannheim, the TU Munich and the private business schools HHL, ebs and WHU were rated so positively.

University Ranking EU U-Multirank 2014/15

In the new, recently published "U-Multirank" EU college rankings ZU performed outstandingly. Thus the results of the most recent CHE Rankings were also confirmed on an international level.

In contrast to previous rankings, the new international ranking not only investigates the students' satisfaction with their study conditions, but also the Universities' level of efficiency in various other areas. In the U-Multirank, top marks were awarded to ZU in the areas of study and teaching, as well as research.

A "Very Good" was also awarded to the Overall Quality of Courses and Teaching, Students' Learning Experience, Research Orientation of the Courses, Contact Between Students and Scientists, and the Combination of Study and Working Environment in Economics programs. Third-Party fundraising, Performance of PhD students and Classroom Equipment were also very highly ranked. Furthermore, ZU was well above average in areas such as International Orientation of Programs, Publication of Papers, Library Facilities, and Third-Party Funding.

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"Handelsblatt Career"- Ranking 2007/2008

In the field of Economics, Zeppelin University (ZU) is among the top ten Universities in Germany. In the current "Handelsblatt Karriere" College Rankings (2007/2008), it achieved an eighth place finish in the field at the first attempt.

"It's a surprising achievement which shows us that the path we chose to go down over three years ago with our research-oriented and multidisciplinary teaching and studies was the right one, and this shows us how we should logically go forward" says ZU President Stephan A. Jansen who is particularly delighted for the students "who, three years ago, took a gamble on starting a demanding course in a newly founded university".

It is ZU's first time to appear in a ranking, and right among the leaders at that. Hence the surprise at its performance: ZU came ahead of renowned universities like Frankfurt/Main (9th place), Mannheim (10th place), Munich (11th place), TH Karlsruhe (20th place), and University of Tübingen (25th place). As part of the ranking, universities were evaluated by students, graduates and HR managers in businesses amongst others. The class groups which had been together since the university's foundation year went their separate ways only last Fall so there should be even more positive appraisals in the coming years. Better still were the ratings (and therefore the level of satisfaction) from the graduates group and, finally, from the students who voted the university in 4th place.

The ranking is based on a survey of around 50,000 students and graduates from all German universities, as well as HR managers from a thousand large companies. On the scale which runs from 1 (for "very satisfied/very good") to 6 (for "very unsatisfied/very bad"), criteria such as Teaching, Equipment, Practical Relevance, Job Preparation, and Links to Business were evaluated. On top of this was the positive rating from a college survey on whether students are properly prepared for the working environment.

Time to decide

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