The Impact Rankings 2022 of Times Higher Education (THE), a British magazine reporting specifically on news and issues related to higher education, named Ajou University as one of its top 100 universities in the world. Of the Korean universities assessed, Ajou University ranked sixth.

The THE Impact Rankings 2022, targeting 1,406 universities in 106 countries, was released on April 28 last year. In its fourth year this year, the THE Impact Rankings are made by focusing on how well the assessed universities fulfill social responsibility.

Assessed in detail are universities' endeavors in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, presented by the UN in 2015 towards more sustainable development, are 17 targets the world needs to work toward in the 5 core areas of People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. The Ministry of Education-initiated project University Innovation, now in its second phase, demands that participating universities state their plans for "creating social value," indicating that universities' role in bettering society is of national importance.

The THE Impact Rankings 2022 places Ajou University in the 101st-200th range, a notable climb from its position in the 201st-300th range the previous year. In 2022, Ajou University was ranked as one of the world's top 100 in No Poverty (SDG 1), Quality Education (SDG 4), and Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9), having progressed from the previous year when it was in the global top 100 in Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9) only.

In Korea, Ajou University ranks second in No Poverty (SDG 1) and Quality Education (SDG 4). Globally, it ranks 54th in No Poverty (SDG 1), having been recognized for the effectiveness of its proposed and actioned programs and policies aimed at ending poverty in the local community and the world. Ajou University ranks 88th globally in Quality Education (SDG 4) for its lifetime education model catering to local community members, and 84th in Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9), up 9 spots from last year, for its achievements in expanding the industry-academia ecosystem and technology transfers.

Ajou University made it into the 101st-200th range also in Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17). Ajou University has been practicing inclusivity, preserving culture and the environment for a sustainable future, and normalizing the SDG culture on campus, among other positive actions.

Starting with the 2019 installation of the Ajou Sustainable Development Goals Center, Ajou University has been working to meet the SDGs as part of its planned university development. In 2021, the Ajou Sustainable Development Goals Center partnered up with Ajou University's Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation and Suwon City and successfully developed and implemented a Sustainable Development Leadership Curriculum. It also publishes the Ajou Sustainable Development Report, an annual report on Ajou University efforts in sustainable development, and executes environmental campaigns and other activities to build greater awareness of the SDGs.

The THE Impact Rankings 2022 named the universities that made notable contribution to the economy and to society, environmental preservation, and human welfare. Western Sydney University of Australia was ranked first. Among Korean universities, Kyungpook National University was ranked 13th globally. Yonsei University (27th), Kyung Hee University (74th), Hanyang University (92nd), and Jeonbuk National University (95th) were the Korean universities that entered the top 100 list for the first time.