Candle Impact Score: A Novel Metric for Assessing University Marginal Impact in Global Higher Education

Abstract Higher education institutions vary dramatically in their transformative potential depending on national context. This paper introduces the Candle Impact Score (CIS), a simple yet powerful metric that quantifies the marginal difference a university makes. This is analogous to lighting a candle in a dark room versus an already lit one. Using only two well-established parameters viz QS World University Rankings position and National Adult Illiteracy Rate. The CIS prioritizes one leading university per country (highest-ranked in top 500) and rewards impact in underserved regions. Results show that NUST Islamabad emerges in top 10 list, while elite institutions like University of Toronto rank modestly due to low baseline darkness. The model offers a policy-relevant lens for prioritizing higher-education investment to make the world a better place.