For eight years, the Analytical Center "Expert AC" has been monitoring changes in the higher education system launched by federal programs. The rating of faculties has been conducted by the Analytical Center "Expert" since 2016. In the first edition of the rating, according to the results of 2015, there were only 10 subject areas (humanities, life sciences, energy, mathematics, computer science, Earth sciences, social sciences, economics, physics and astronomy, chemistry), in the second edition there were 13 (3 subject areas are additionally included: engineering sciences, materials science and chemical technologies). To date, the analysis covers 25 scientific fields and more than 150 universities in Russia.

The rating of scientific productivity of universities from Expert AC is based on two key principles: narrow specialization and deep immersion in problems, objectivity. The indicators used in the rating are divided into three equivalent blocks: "Demand / Quality", "Scale and sustainability of activities" and "Quality of growth".

According to the results of the past year, Southern Federal University was included in 23 rating categories, improving the results in most positions.

Thus, in energy in 2022, SFedU occupied the 18th line of the rating, and in 2023 it rose by almost five positions, settling on the 13th-14th place.

In addition, SFedU entered the TOP 15 of the rating in ecology - 13, Earth sciences – 13, astronomy and astrophysics – 11-12, agriculture – 15, social sciences – 15-16. The university is also traditionally included in the TOP 20 in the following areas: materials science - 19-20, metallurgy – 18-19, renewable energy – 17-20, chemical engineering – 18, engineering sciences – 19, humanities – 18-20, as well as management and chemistry.

In other areas of the rating, Southern Federal University is in the TOP 25-30.