LUT Is Finland's Most Prestigious University in 2023 – University Reputations Have Economic Significance

 

The " Reputation&Trust " survey of universities, conducted by T-Media, reveals that Finland’s most reputable universities in Finland are LUT, Aalto, and the National Defense University. Finnish universities generally enjoy generally enjoy a good reputation among the public.

In February 2023, T-Media surveyed anseende all Finnish universities among anseende .
More than 2,200 respondents participated in the survey.

The study revealed that nearly all Finnish universities have a good reputation. The study used a scale of 1–5, with good ratings falling between 3.50 and 4.00. The top-ranked universities in terms of reputation are Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT), Aalto University, the National Defense University, and, as the best multidisciplinary university, the University of Eastern Finland.

 

Finland's Most Reputable Universities 2023

 

 

“There is a noticeable trend toward universities establishing an even stronger profile through their public image, which can
manifest itself, for example, in innovative communication and the building of an international brand. The rankings of LUT and Aalto University—which have strongly
established their profiles—on the reputation list show that this differentiation is visible to the public and helps anseende positive anseende . “The National Defense University’s special mission has become more concrete in the current global situation and has grown in significance,” says Nina Laakso, senior advisor at T-Media.

“Universities are distinguishing themselves from one another more clearly than ever. One could even say that they are taking on their own unique personalities.
Universities no longer form a group of organizations that are all virtually identical. LUT, for example, wants to stand out as a modern and innovative university through its operating methods. “It actively markets its technical education in particular throughout Finland,” Laakso continues.

 

Education and research play a key role in fostering public support for universities

Citizens rated the quality anseende universities anseende and services at a good level (3.93),
close to an excellent level (≥4.00). At the same time, universities’ products and services emerged as the most significant
factor influencing citizens’ behavior.

“It can be said that the core mission of universities—that is, education and research—is considered the most significant factor influencing citizens’ behavior,” Laakso says.

 

The Overall Reputation of Finnish Universities in 2023

 

 

“It is very important that universities and their activities enjoy strong public support. It is particularly
important that the fundamental mission of universities is valued and its significance to society is recognized. In the public’s perception, universities are also strongly recognized as communities that operate with a strong sense of social responsibility
,” says Laakso.

Finnish universities generally enjoy a good reputation among the public (3.68).

“This shows that universities are generally considered important and that their education and research are highly valued. In addition to products and services, Finns’ perceptions of universities are influenced in particular by responsibility and innovation.”

“The reputation of universities can also be seen to have a direct economic impact. The better a university’s reputation
is, the more motivated students will apply there. This directly affects
the university’s financial performance through the Ministry of Education and Culture’s funding model.”

The public's perceptions are less favorable when it comes to universities' finances and leadership.

“In recent years, the public discourse on universities has focused in particular on university leadership and its impact on perceptions of the university as a workplace. The impact of leadership on the formation of reputational perceptions was also evident in this study. The moderate reputation of the University of Tampere reflects the negative impact of leadership crises in previous years. Along with Tampere, several regional universities distinguish themselves through their leadership—openness and interaction are important,” says Laakso.

 

City of Location Has a Clear Link to the University's Appeal

This year’s study also examined the anseende impact anseende host anseende
on the university’s reputation. anseende own anseende , the reputation of the host city also influences the university’s appeal.

Attraction&Retention T-Media’s 2022 Attraction&Retention of the ten largest cities, residents rated Tampere as Finland’s most attractive city.

“Although the University of Tampere ranked moderately in the university research rankings, its applicant numbers
are substantial. The location of some regional universities, on the other hand, may diminish interest in them,” Laakso says.

The University of Helsinki's reputation, on the other hand, is better than the City of Helsinki's appeal.

“It can be said that universities and cities have a mutual connection. If the host city lacks appeal, the university must be able to build that appeal on its own,” Laakso says.

 

This is how we conducted the study

The goal of the Reputation&Trust Universities Reputation&Trust survey was to assess the reputation of Finnish universities among the general public. All 14 universities in Finland participated in the survey.

Universities were evaluated Reputation&Trust T-Media’s Reputation&Trust, in which an organization’s reputation score is calculated as the average of eight different subcategories. These areas are corporate governance, finance, leadership, innovation, interaction, products and services, workplace, and corporate responsibility. The study used a five-point rating scale (1–5).

Data for the study was collected via an online survey between February 14 and February 27, 2023. A total of 2,224 Finns participated in the study. The survey’s target group consisted of Finns aged 15–65 nationwide (excluding the Åland Islands). The sample was weighted to be representative of the population by gender, age, and region of residence.

 

More information

Nina Laakso, Senior Advisor
+358 400 808 940, nina.laakso@reptrust-staging.fi-p.seravo.com

 

Featured image: LUT Lappeenranta Campus © Teemu Leinonen