Purpose: a research on different sociological and economic aspects of world education rankings (THE, ARWU, QS), evaluation of their role and impact on the world education market’s main consumers (i.e. students and academic staff) as a subject to discussion in terms of the customers’ preferences and choice motivators.  

Methodology: general scientific research tools were applied throughout the research: analysis, synthesis, deduction.

Results: world ranking approach and methodology was assessed, defined and systemized, a unique general ranking of the countries was developed and performed (based on the researched body – the US ranked #1, Russia #30), expert recommendations for Russian universities have been developed and concluded.

Practical implications: the main statements could be used within learning courses on the internationalization of higher education and applied in sociological and economic research dedicated to macroeconomic problems and issues analysis.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12731/2218-7405-2013-2-18