September 25, 2025

Texas Universities Shine in Latest National Rankings

News Summary

Texas universities have achieved remarkable success in the recent U.S. News & World Report college rankings, with Rice University ranking No. 17 nationally. The University of Houston has made significant progress, climbing to No. 132 overall and is recognized for its commitment to social mobility. Additionally, the University of St. Thomas has been highlighted for its excellent support for students from diverse backgrounds. Together, these institutions are proudly representing Texas in the competitive educational landscape.

Texas Universities Shine in Latest Rankings

The U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026 Best Colleges rankings, showcasing significant achievements for Texas universities. Rice University has claimed the top spot in the state and ranks No. 17 nationally, while the University of Houston has improved its standing, now ranked No. 132, up 12 positions from last year. This upward movement has brought UH closer to its goal of breaking into the top 50 public universities in the nation.

In total, three Houston universities made it into the top 200 of this year’s rankings: Rice University, the University of Houston, and the University of St. Thomas. These rankings reflect the institutions’ commitment to academic quality and student success, as evaluated across 17 indicators.

Rice University Achievements

Rice University has not only retained its position as Texas’ top university but has also made notable advancements in various ranking categories. The institution was ranked No. 5 for Best Value Schools, emphasizing its affordability, No. 8 for Undergraduate Teaching, and climbed 14 spots to No. 15 in the “Most Innovative Schools” category. Furthermore, Rice improved its social mobility ranking by 20 spots to No. 98, indicating its commitment to assisting lower-income students.

University of Houston Progress

The University of Houston has become the No. 40 institution in the realm of social mobility and is the eighth-ranked university in Texas. This ranking reflects UH’s efforts to support students from diverse backgrounds. Notably, the university has maintained steady tuition rates for several years, ensuring that education remains affordable. Through the Cougar Promise program, undergraduates from families earning $65,000 or less are enabled to pay no tuition, while families earning up to $125,000 are granted guaranteed discounts.

Additionally, the University of Houston welcomed a record enrollment of 48,972 students this academic year, marking its largest freshman class ever, demonstrating its growing appeal among prospective students.

University of St. Thomas Highlights

The University of St. Thomas has also excelled in the rankings, being recognized as No. 1 in Texas for social mobility and No. 8 overall in the category. Approximately 80% of undergraduate students at the institution receive financial aid, illustrating a strong commitment to supporting students financially, with over one-third of those students being Pell Grant eligible.

Overall Rankings Context

This year, 11 Texas universities secured spots in the overall top 200 rankings, reflecting the state’s robust higher education system. As a point of comparison, the top three universities in the nation are Princeton University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University.

The U.S. News rankings serve as a key resource for prospective students, helping them gauge academic quality and student success at universities nationwide. However, these rankings have faced criticism over their reliance on metrics that some believe do not fully capture the essence of a university’s offerings.

As Texas universities continue to climb the rankings and improve their services to students, they reinforce their status as competitive institutions on both a national scale and within the state.

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Author: STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

The COLLEGE STATION STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECollegeStation.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in College Station, Brazos County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo, Chilifest, and Aggie Muster. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Brazos Valley, plus leading businesses in education, biotechnology, and retail that power the local economy such as Texas A&M University, Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, and H-E-B. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

STAFF HERE COLLEGE WRITER

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