Austin, TX, October 20, 2025
News Summary
A recent WalletHub analysis highlighting nearly 800 higher education institutions shows Texas colleges excelling in national rankings. Rice University leads the state at 9th nationally, while UT Austin ranks 58th. The study also reveals notable placements for other institutions, emphasizing Texas’ strong educational landscape. Key metrics such as faculty resources and student outcomes contribute to these rankings, with a significant focus on social mobility and return on investment in college education. The rankings present a shifting perspective on what defines excellence in higher education.
Texas Colleges and Universities Achieve National Recognition in WalletHub’s 2026 Rankings
Austin, TX—The recent WalletHub’s 2026 rankings of nearly 800 higher education institutions in the U.S. have placed Texas colleges and universities in the spotlight, revealing significant achievements in national standings. The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) earned the 58th overall position, making it the second-highest ranked Texas college according to this analysis.
Leading the Texas educational ranking is Rice University, which is positioned 9th nationally despite dropping three spots from its 2024 evaluation. Rice University excelled in critical categories, scoring 10th for faculty resources, 12th for student educational outcomes, 16th for student selectivity, and 26th for student career outcomes. However, the institution faced challenges, ranking 576th in campus safety and 700th for financial aspects, with total costs exceeding $84,000 annually for in-state students.
Other notable Texas institutions include the University of Houston, which ranked 268th overall and 52nd among universities in the South, signifying its placement among the top 10 Texas institutions. Texas A&M University-College Station follows closely at 4th in Texas and 51st nationally.
Ranking Overview of Texas Colleges
The 10 best colleges and universities in Texas according to WalletHub’s 2026 rankings are:
- Rice University, Houston
- The University of Texas at Austin
- Trinity University, San Antonio
- Texas A&M University-College Station
- Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
- Austin College, Sherman
- Southwestern University, Georgetown
- University of Dallas
- The University of Texas at Dallas
- University of Houston
National Recognition of Texas Institutions
In addition to WalletHub’s ranking, Southern Methodist University (SMU) has gained recognition as the top university in North Texas, according to U.S. News, which ranks Rice as Texas’ best national university at 17th place. UT Austin is rated 30th in U.S. News rankings, with Texas A&M at 51st. Other notable rankings include Baylor University and SMU at 88th, and Texas Christian University (TCU) at 97th. The University of Texas at Dallas holds its position as the top public school in North Texas, ranking 54th among national public schools and 110th overall. The University of North Texas has also made strides, rising to 208th among national universities and holding the 6th position for public schools in Texas.
Changing Criteria in College Rankings
Recent discussions surrounding college rankings have highlighted a shift in focus from prestige to various factors such as social mobility and return on investment (ROI). The U.S. News rankings now consider factors like graduation rates, borrower debt, and the student-faculty ratio, leading them to update their criteria to better reflect these priorities, specifically by recognizing first-generation graduation rates and the success of graduates.
FAQs
1. What was UT Austin’s ranking in WalletHub’s analysis of higher education institutions for 2026?
UT Austin ranked 58th overall in WalletHub’s analysis of nearly 800 higher education institutions across the U.S.
2. Which Texas university is ranked the highest?
Rice University holds the title of the top institution in Texas, ranked 9th nationally but down three spots from its 2024 ranking.
3. What are the key categories where Rice University scored highly?
Rice University scored 10th for faculty resources, 12th for student educational outcomes, 16th for student selectivity, 26th for student career outcomes, and 46th for campus experience.
4. How did the University of Houston rank in WalletHub’s 2026 analysis?
The University of Houston ranked 268th overall and 52nd among universities in the South, positioning it among Texas’ top 10 institutions.
5. What are the top 10 colleges and universities in Texas for 2026 according to WalletHub?
The 10 best colleges and universities in Texas for 2026 are Rice University, University of Texas at Austin, Trinity University, Texas A&M University-College Station, Texas Christian University, Austin College, Southwestern University, University of Dallas, University of Texas at Dallas, and University of Houston.
Key Features of Texas Colleges’ Rankings
| University | National Rank | State Rank | Key Category Rankings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice University | 9 | 1 | 10th for faculty resources, 12th for student educational outcomes |
| The University of Texas at Austin | 58 | 2 | N/A |
| University of Houston | 268 | 10 | N/A |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | 51 | 4 | N/A |
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Additional Resources
- Austin American-Statesman: UT Austin Best Colleges
- Wikipedia: University of Texas at Austin
- AOL News: Houston’s Rice University Tops
- Google Search: Rice University rankings
- Culture Map: Texas College Rankings
- Google Scholar: Texas Colleges Ranking
- Culture Map Austin: Southwestern University Rankings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Universities
- Houston Chronicle: Texas College Football Rankings
- Google News: Texas College Football
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