Designing a Model for Comparative Study of Iranian Universities

There are various systems for ranking universities at the national and international levels which measure universities by different indicators and show their strengths and weaknesses compared to other universities. But the ranking system of the country's universities, which is based on national and international conditions, is more important than ever. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to design a model for a comparative study and ranking of universities in the country. This research is applied in terms of purpose and is quantitative-qualitative in terms of type. The study population consists of experienced people involved in the development planning of universities in the country. To determine the sample size, the theoretical impregnation method was used. In this research, first, the necessary information for theoretical discussions was collected through deep study and review of related documents including the published scientific resources,  Then, using the content analysis method, criteria and indicators of university assessment were collected, and finally, the task of determining criteria weights and indicators was done by analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method based on expert opinions. Finally, the model was presented to evaluate and rank the universities of Iran. According to the results of this research, seven criteria and 33 concepts were obtained, which, in the end, according to the weights criteria the ranks were rated. The following rankings are related to the quality of research, international credit, social and cultural credibility, the degree of innovation and financial efficiency, the rate of training of experts, and facilities.