News Summary
The University of Texas at Austin has achieved the top rank in Texas and 20th place nationally in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The rankings evaluate over 1,500 universities worldwide based on academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, and more. UT Austin’s recognition extends beyond QS, having received accolades in various other rankings, underscoring its commitment to excellence in education and research. With a diverse student body and competitive academic standards, UT Austin continues to enhance its reputation in higher education.
Austin – The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) has secured the top position in Texas and the 20th place nationally in the QS World University Rankings 2026. This ranking distinguishes UT Austin among the leading institutions, with a global position of 68th in a list that evaluates over 1,500 universities worldwide.
The QS World University Rankings assess universities based on several key indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, faculty research, and international diversity. These metrics provide a comprehensive overview of a university’s quality and performance in education and research.
This year, 192 U.S. universities made it onto the QS rankings, representing the highest number from any country. However, the competition for top positions is becoming increasingly intense, as the QS report notes a decline in the number of American universities in the top 100, from 32 a decade ago to 26 today. The prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retains its position as the top global university.
UT Austin’s recognition is not limited to the QS rankings alone. In the past year, the university has achieved several accolades in other reputable rankings. It topped U.S. News‘ 2025 list of best graduate schools and was ranked 30th nationally for best colleges overall. Additionally, it was recognized as the second-best college in Texas by WalletHub in their 2025 list. The university also garnered two top-10 positions on The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur‘s lists for best graduate and undergraduate schools, and it is ranked 9th among public universities in the U.S. by Niche.
UT Austin, which currently boasts an undergraduate enrollment of 42,444 for the fall of 2023, has an acceptance rate of 29%. The institution operates on a semester-based academic calendar and covers 431 acres of land. In terms of student demographics, a significant portion of the student body comprises minority groups, with 62% representation. The university’s efforts to maintain diversity and inclusivity have been acknowledged as one of its strengths.
Regarding tuition costs, in-state students pay $11,678 for tuition and fees, while out-of-state students face a higher cost of $42,778. The academic standards for admission remain high, with the average SAT scores of admitted students ranging from 1310 to 1520 and the average ACT scores falling between 29 and 34. The faculty-student ratio at UT Austin stands at 19:1, indicative of the attention individual students receive during their academic journey.
Other Texas universities have also made an impression on the QS World University Rankings 2026. Notable mentions include Rice University, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Texas at Arlington, Stephen F. Austin University, Sam Houston State University, Texas State University, and Baylor University. Each of these institutions contributes to the growing academic landscape in Texas and enhances the state’s reputation for higher education.
As the landscape of global education continues to evolve, UT Austin’s achievements underscore its commitment to excellence and innovation in higher education, reaffirming its status as a leading institution both in Texas and the nation.
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Additional Resources
- CultureMap: UT Austin QS World Ranking
- U.S. News: UT Austin Best Colleges
- Mix 94.1: Best University in Texas 2025
- KVUE: UT Austin Best Texas College
- Chronicle: Texas College Rankings
- Wikipedia: University of Texas at Austin
- Google Search: University of Texas at Austin ranking
- Google Scholar: University of Texas at Austin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: University of Texas at Austin
- Google News: UT Austin
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