Fort Worth, Texas, September 25, 2025
News Summary
North Texas universities have performed impressively in the latest U.S. News college rankings, with Texas Christian University climbing to the 97th position nationally. The rankings, which assessed over 1,700 institutions based on factors such as graduation rates and borrowing debt, revealed that Rice University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Texas A&M University ranked among the top three in Texas. Many institutions showcased notable improvements, reflecting their dedication to student success and academic quality.
Fort Worth, Texas – North Texas universities have continued to shine in the 2026 U.S. News college rankings, showcasing their commitment to academic excellence and student success. Several universities in the region ranked among the best in Texas, highlighting their competitive edge in higher education.
The U.S. News evaluated more than 1,700 colleges based on various key factors, including graduation rates, first-year retention rates, graduation rate performance, borrower debt, and more. Notably, this year, SAT and ACT scores were removed as ranking factors for the Regional Colleges North and Regional Universities North categories as many schools have adopted test-optional policies. Despite slight calculation tweaks, U.S. News maintained its overall methodology for ranking colleges this year.
In the latest rankings, Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth made significant strides, rising eight spots to be ranked 97th nationally. The top three universities in Texas are led by Rice University, which holds the 17th position nationally, followed by the University of Texas at Austin at 30th, and Texas A&M University at 51st.
Other noteworthy rankings among Texas universities include Baylor University and Southern Methodist University, both tied at 88th, while the University of Texas at Dallas is positioned at 110th. Additionally, the University of Houston recorded a 12-spot increase to 132nd, Texas Tech University ranked 198th, the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley came in at 213th, and the University of Texas at Arlington is at 222nd.
In a particularly interesting highlight, the University of St. Thomas was recognized for its contributions to social mobility, ranking 8th nationally for social mobility for students. This reflects the university’s commitment to providing equitable educational opportunities for all students.
Moreover, over 20 Texas universities were included in Forbes’ top 500 colleges list, which emphasizes the return on investment for students. External rankings from sources like Forbes and Niche also positioned Rice University positively, with Forbes listing it at 12th.
Texas Tech University showcased a strong performance as well, achieving a 16-spot increase to rank 198th nationally and 109th among public schools. The U.S. News rankings are widely recognized for enhancing visibility among prospective students, although they have faced criticisms for potentially overlooking aspects of real student experiences.
Nationally, the top three universities included Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University. These institutions continue to set the benchmark for excellence in higher education across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors did U.S. News use to evaluate colleges in the rankings?
U.S. News evaluated more than 1,700 colleges based on several factors including graduation rates, first-year retention rates, graduation rate performance, borrower debt, and more.
Which university in North Texas ranked highest this year?
Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth rose eight spots to be ranked 97th nationally.
What are the top three universities in Texas according to the 2026 U.S. News rankings?
The top three universities in Texas were Rice University at No. 17, University of Texas at Austin at No. 30, and Texas A&M University at No. 51.
How many Texas universities appear in Forbes’ top 500 colleges list?
More than 20 Texas universities appeared in Forbes’ top 500 colleges list, which emphasizes students’ return on investment.
Key Rankings Overview
| University | National Rank |
|---|---|
| Rice University | No. 17 |
| University of Texas at Austin | No. 30 |
| Texas A&M University | No. 51 |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) | No. 97 |
| Baylor University | No. 88 (tied) |
| Southern Methodist University | No. 88 (tied) |
| University of Texas at Dallas | No. 110 (tied) |
| University of Houston | No. 132 (tied) |
| Texas Tech University | No. 198 (tied) |
| University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley | No. 213 (tied) |
| University of Texas at Arlington | No. 222 (tied) |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- WFAA: North Texas Universities Rank
- Wikipedia: University of Texas at Austin
- Houston Chronicle: US News Rankings
- Google Search: U.S. News College Rankings
- KCBD: Texas Tech Rankings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College
- Axios: University of Houston Rankings
- Google News: Texas Universities Rankings
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