This year, University of Houston climbed 12 spots among all universities, as well as jumping up six spots to nab No. 68 in public universities. This brings it closer to the school’s goal of cracking the top 50. (JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock)
While Rice University, University of Texas at Austin, and Texas A&M University typically tend to end up on the higher end of the US News & World Report Best Colleges list, 2025 is the year that University of Houston made the biggest leap.
The list is based on up to 17 different factors, including graduation rates, first-year retention rates, faculty salaries, and borrower debt. The publication also releases other lists ranking colleges and universities, such as liberal arts colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
This year, University of Houston climbed 12 spots among all universities, as well as jumping up six spots to nab No. 68 in public universities. This brings it closer to the school’s goal of cracking the top 50.
“Our incredible rise in the rankings is a testament to our unwavering commitment to student success and institutional excellence,” UH president Renu Khator said in a press release. “We’re relentless in our pursuit to transform lives and communities, ensuring a strong future for our students and state. I thank our faculty, staff, students and supporters whose drive empowered us to crack the top 70 for the first time.”
To be eligible for ranking, colleges and universities must:
- Grant bachelor’s degrees
- Hold regional accreditation
- Offer traditional campus-based education
- Actively accept new applicants for first-year, full-time students
While this list was released in 2025, US News & World Report labels it as the 2026 Best Colleges.
2026 Best Colleges in Texas full rankings:
- 17. Rice University
- 30. UT Austin
- 51. Texas A&M University
- 88. Baylor University
- 88. Southern Methodist University
- 97. Texas Christian University
- 110. UT Dallas
- 132. University of Houston
- 198. Texas Tech University
- 198. University of St. Thomas
- 208. University of North Texas
- 213. UT Rio Grande Valley
- 213. UT San Antonio
- 222. UT Arlington
- 257. Sam Houston State University
- 257. Texas State University
- 257. UT El Paso
- 293. University of the Incarnate Word
- 318. UH Clear Lake
- 329. Abilene Christian University
- 329. Texas Women’s University
- 329. UT Tyler
- 343. Prairie View A&M University
- 352. TAMU Kingsville
- 373. Tarleton State University
- 384. Dallas Baptist University
- 384. East Texas A&M University
- 395-434: Hardin Simmons University
- 395-434: Lamar University
- 395-434: Our Lady of the Lake University
- 395-434: TAMU Corpus Christi
- 395-434: Texas Southern University
- 395-434: Texas Wesleyan University
- 395-434: University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
