Houston, Texas, September 23, 2025
News Summary
Rice University has achieved a national rank of No. 17 in the latest U.S. News & World Report’s ‘Best Colleges’ rankings, improving from last year. The University of Houston also made strides, climbing 12 positions to secure a rank of No. 132. This reflects the competitive nature of higher education in Texas, as local institutions aim for greater recognition and improved student outcomes.
Houston, Texas – Rice University Ranks No. 17 and University of Houston Climbs 12 Spots to No. 132 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 “Best Colleges” Rankings
Rice University has been ranked No. 17 nationally in the latest U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 “Best Colleges” rankings, showcasing a slight improvement from its previous year’s rank. In addition, the University of Houston has made significant progress by climbing 12 spots to secure the No. 132 position. This marks an important milestone as UH aims closer to its goal of entering the top 50 universities in the nation.
These rankings further illustrate the competitive landscape of higher education within Texas. The University of Texas at Austin follows closely behind with a ranking of No. 30 (tied), while Texas A&M University sits at No. 51 (tied). Baylor University and Southern Methodist University both achieved a rank of No. 88 (tied), while Texas Christian University is at No. 97 (tied).
Among other Texas institutions, the University of Texas at Dallas occupies the No. 110 (tied) position. Meanwhile, Texas Tech University and the University of St. Thomas are both ranked No. 198 (tied), with the University of North Texas at No. 208 (tied). Other notables include the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and the University of Texas at San Antonio both at No. 213 (tied), and the University of Texas at Arlington at No. 222 (tied).
Additionally, Sam Houston State University, Texas State University, and the University of Texas-El Paso share a rank of No. 257 (tied). The University of the Incarnate Word ranks No. 293 (tied), while the University of Houston-Clear Lake stands at No. 318 (tied). Lastly, Abilene Christian University, Texas Woman’s University, and the University of Texas at Tyler are ranked No. 329 (tied).
U.S. News rankings are considered to be highly influential in the realm of higher education. While they provide valuable visibility for educational institutions to attract prospective students, critics argue these rankings may overlook real student experiences and perpetuate wealth disparities in education. Despite this, more than half of the ranking’s overall score is based on student outcomes from diverse backgrounds.
This year, the top three universities in the national rankings include Princeton University, which holds the 1st position, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at 2nd, and Harvard University at 3rd. Rice University has consistently been regarded as the best university in Texas, with the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University following as the second and third highest-ranked universities in the state.
Notably, many Texas universities are tied within specific rankings, demonstrating the competitive nature of institutions vying for recognition within similar tier placements. The U.S. News & World Report rankings are not just numbers; they shape perceptions and can have real effects on enrollment and institutional reputation.
Texas Universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Rankings
- Rice University: No. 17
- University of Houston: No. 132
- University of Texas at Austin: No. 30 (tied)
- Texas A&M University: No. 51 (tied)
- Baylor University: No. 88 (tied)
- Southern Methodist University: No. 88 (tied)
- Texas Christian University: No. 97 (tied)
- University of Texas at Dallas: No. 110 (tied)
- Texas Tech University: No. 198 (tied)
- University of St. Thomas: No. 198 (tied)
- University of North Texas: No. 208 (tied)
- University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley: No. 213 (tied)
- University of Texas at San Antonio: No. 213 (tied)
- University of Texas at Arlington: No. 222 (tied)
- Texas universities ranked No. 257 and below include universities ranging from No. 257 to No. 384.
FAQ
What is Rice University’s ranking in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges Rankings?
Rice University is ranked No. 17 in the nation.
What ranking did the University of Houston achieve in the latest rankings?
The University of Houston has risen 12 spots to rank No. 132 in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 “Best Colleges” rankings.
How does the University of Houston’s current ranking compare to its previous rank?
The University of Houston has climbed 12 spots to rank No. 132 in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 “Best Colleges” rankings.
What are the top three universities in the U.S. according to the latest rankings?
The top universities in this year’s national rankings were Princeton University (1st), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2nd), and Harvard University (3rd).
Chart: Key Features of U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Rankings
| University | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Rice University | No. 17 |
| University of Houston | No. 132 |
| University of Texas at Austin | No. 30 (tied) |
| Texas A&M University | No. 51 (tied) |
| Baylor University | No. 88 (tied) |
| Southern Methodist University | No. 88 (tied) |
| Texas Christian University | No. 97 (tied) |
| University of Texas at Dallas | No. 110 (tied) |
| Texas Tech University | No. 198 (tied) |
| University of North Texas | No. 208 (tied) |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Austin’s Private K-12 Schools Recognized for Excellence
Additional Resources
- Houston Chronicle
- Wikipedia: Rice University
- Houston Innovation Map
- Google Search: University of Houston 2026 rankings
- ABC13
- Google Scholar: Rice University 2026 rankings
- Statesman
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas universities rankings
- KHOU
- Google News: Texas colleges 2026 rankings
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