The University of Arizona finished in the top 0.4% among more than 20,000 higher education institutions worldwide in the Center for World University Rankings, released Monday.

The UA also appears in the Princeton Review's latest edition of "The Best 385 Colleges: 2020 Edition," with top marks in sustainability (95 out of a possible 100), fire safety (91) and quality of life (85).

The UA's overall CWUR score of 83.3 placed 69th overall and 43rd among U.S. universities. The number of UA alumni who have won major international awards, prizes and medals contributed to the university's strong showing in the ratings.

"It is gratifying to see the University of Arizona firmly establish its position alongside the world's top academic research institutions once again," said UA President Robert C. Robbins. "Our faculty's breakthrough research continues to strengthen our position as a global leader in education and innovation."

The UA's rankings by category:

• Quality of faculty: 47
• Research performance: 86
• Alumni employment: 180
• Quality of education: 276

CWUR annually publishes the only global university rankings that use quantitative measures to assess the quality of education, the prestige of faculty members and the quality of faculty research, without relying on surveys and university data submissions.

In the Princeton Review's college guide, released Tuesday, the UA earned praise as "a perfect blend of long-lasting traditions, strong spirit … and empowering devotion to the community" with professors that are "very passionate about their research and the subject material for the course."

The Princeton Review also publishes several top-20 ratings for various categories relating to academics and campus life. The UA earned recognition for active Greek life (No. 11) and best health services (No. 12).

The UA also earned a place among the top 100 higher education institutions in the world in the latest Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings, released July 17.