Aalto University maintained strong academic performance and international recognition in 2024
The Aalto University Board approved the Annual Board Report and Financial Statements for 2024 in its meeting on 3 April 2025.
International recognition and academic excellence
Aalto University continued to excel in global university rankings in 2024. It was ranked first among Finnish universities and 113th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings. Aalto’s art and design performed particularly well, ranking 8th globally. The Times Higher Education listed Aalto as the 21st best young university (less than 50 years old).
Aalto University received the Quality Label for Excellence from the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) for its outstanding development work.
The university's research output remained strong, with 2 384 international refereed articles published in scientific journals, an increase from 2 210 in the previous year. Of these, 1 678 articles were among the most cited 10%, highlighting the impact of Aalto’s research.
Aalto University saw growth in both the number of graduates and applications to degree programmes in 2024. The university awarded 1 732 bachelor’s degrees, 2 257 master’s degrees, and 281 doctoral degrees, reflecting an increase compared to the previous year. The number of applications to the bachelor’s programmes and especially to the two-year master’s programmes continued to grow.
In terms of innovation, the entrepreneurial activities around Aalto remains vibrant. The ecosystem around Aalto sees around 100 startups founded annually, with the total value of businesses established by alumni exceeding EUR 30 billion. Aalto was the only university listed among the top Finnish organisations with the most patent applications, securing 3rd place overall.
The university continued to enhance its campus, with two new buildings, Kide and Marsio, opening in the heart of the campus in 2024.
Financial sustainability
By balancing strong academic performance with financial sustainability, Aalto University maintained its position both in Finland and the global academic community.
Aalto University Group’s total income increased by 6% to EUR 626 million (EUR 531 million) in 2024. Total expenses amounted to EUR 524 million (EUR 482 million), main expense item being personnel expenses. The group recorded a net profit of EUR 102 million (49 million) for the financial year. The group’s balance sheet totaled EUR 2 251 million (EUR 2 080 million). The increase of the balance sheet is primarily explained by the increase in the value of the university’s endowment assets.
In 2024, Aalto University’s endowment portfolio delivered a robust return of 11.2% and provided EUR 41 million to support education and research. This funding accounts for approximately 9% of the university’s annual budget and continues to support its high-quality education and research as a compensation of the long-term erosion of the government funding. The endowment’s market value stood at EUR 1 499 billion at the end of the year.
Profit and loss
| 2023 | 2024 | |
| Turnover | 409 | 434 |
| Expenses | 450 | 472 |
| Operating profit/loss | -41 | -38 |
| Fundraising profit/loss | 4 | 5 |
| Endowment profit/loss | 102 | 152 |
| Financing profit/loss | -14 | -14 |
| Net Profit/loss | 49 | 102 |
| Net profit % | 12% | 23% |
Balance sheet
| 2023 | 2024 | |
| Noncurrent assets | 1959 | 2075 |
| Intangible assets | 2 | 2 |
| Tangible assets | 594 | 590 |
| Investments | 1362 | 1483 |
| Current assets | 121 | 176 |
| Total | 2080 | 2251 |
| Equity | 1609 | 1715 |
| Liabilities | 471 | 535 |
| Interest bearing liabilities | 306 | 356 |
| Non-interest bearing liabilities | 165 | 179 |
| Total | 2080 | 2251 |
| Equity ratio | 77% | 76% |
Read more
- Aalto University Annual Board Report and Financial Statements 2024
- Key figures of 2024
- Aalto University endowment provided EUR 41 million in 2024 for education and research
More information
Marianna Bom, Chief Financial Officer
marianna.bom@aalto.fi, phone +358 50 575 3762
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