The University of Vienna, established in 1365, ranks around 87th globally, raising questions about the impact of age and language on university rankings. Discussions highlight that older institutions do not necessarily equate to higher quality, as rankings often favor English-speaking universities. The choice of ranking system significantly influences perceptions, with some institutions like Oxford performing differently across various metrics. Historical context is also considered, noting that the U.S. lacked world-class universities in physics until the early 20th century. Comparisons between universities can be misleading due to differing focuses and resources, with concerns raised about funding disparities, particularly in German and Russian institutions. Overall, skepticism towards the validity of online rankings is prevalent.
