The State of Texas has some of the best schools in the nation academically. Scholastically, three schools rank among the top 51 in the nation. Two have been named “New Ivy League” schools by Forbes.
Texas Longhorns fans are proud the University of Texas is academically one of the best colleges in the State of Texas and in the nation. It ranks so highly among public universities that it is one of the original “Public Ivy” schools, a term originated in a 1985 book that listed the best state schools in America.
Each year, U.S. News & World Report publishes an academic ranking of every college in the United States. In the Lone Star State, UT ranks No. 2 behind Rice.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian uses the academic prestige of UT Austin as a big selling point during the recruiting process. Along with the Longhorns success on the field, Sarkisian stresses the UT education.
“All the while that’s occurring at a Top 5 Public Institution in the United States. … Oh by the way, Forbes Magazine last year wrote (Texas is) the new Ivy League. Name another school that’s getting compared to Harvard, Yale and Princeton (academically) but on the flip side is getting compared to Georgia, Ohio State and Alabama on the football field.” — Steve Sarkisian
Using the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-27 National University Rankings, here is the full Top 10 academic rankings for the State of Texas:
1. Rice University (AAC) – Houston, Texas
Overview: Rice University is a private institution that was founded in 1912. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Rice University is ranked No. #17 in National Universities. It’s also ranked No. #5 in Best Value Schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,789 (fall 2024), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 300 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Rice University is 6:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at Rice University is 6:1, and the school has 65.6% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Rice University include: Computer and Information Sciences, General; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Economics, General; Psychology, General; Mechanical Engineering; Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology; Sport and Fitness Administration / Management; Mathematics, General; Neuroscience; and Statistics, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 98%. More Info
2. University of Texas (SEC) – Austin, Texas
Overview: The University of Texas—Austin is a public institution that was founded in 1883. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, The University of Texas—Austin is ranked No. #30 in National Universities. It’s also ranked No. #7 in Top Public Schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 43,165 (fall 2024), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 431 acres. The student-faculty ratio at The University of Texas—Austin is 18:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at The University of Texas—Austin is 19:1, and the school has 36.4% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at The University of Texas—Austin include: Engineering; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Psychology; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; and Visual and Performing Arts. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 96%. More Info
3. Texas A&M University (SEC) – College Station, Texas
Overview: Texas A&M University is a public institution that was founded in 1876. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Texas A&M University is ranked No. #51 in National Universities. It’s also ranked No. #21 in Top Public Schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 60,710 (fall 2024), its setting is city, and the campus size is 5,200 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Texas A&M University is 21:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at Texas A&M University is 19:1, and the school has 24.6% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Texas A&M University include: Engineering; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Agricultural / Animal / Plant / Veterinary Science and Related Fields; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Health Professions and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Engineering / Engineering-Related Technologies / Technicians; Psychology; and Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 94%. More Info
4. (tie) Baylor University (Big 12) – Waco, Texas
Overview: Baylor University is a private institution that was founded in 1845. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Baylor University is ranked No. #88 in National Universities. It’s also ranked No. #27 in Best Undergraduate Teaching.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,915 (fall 2024), and the campus size is 1,000 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Baylor University is 15:1. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at Baylor University is 15:1, and the school has 52.2% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Baylor University include: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Marketing/Marketing Management, General; Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other; Accounting; Psychology, General; Finance, General; Communication, General; Communication Sciences and Disorders, General; and Management Information Systems, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 90%. More Info
4. (tie) SMU (ACC) – Dallas, Texas
Overview: Southern Methodist University is a private institution that was founded in 1911. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Southern Methodist University is ranked No. #88 in National Universities. It’s also ranked No. #55 in Best Colleges for Veterans.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,285 (fall 2024), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 234 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Southern Methodist University is 11:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at Southern Methodist University is 11:1, and the school has 55.3% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Southern Methodist University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Engineering; Visual and Performing Arts; Psychology; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; and Mathematics and Statistics. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 90%. More Info
6. TCU (Big 12) – Fort Worth, Texas
Overview: Texas Christian University is a private institution that was founded in 1873. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Texas Christian University is ranked No. #97 in National Universities. It’s also ranked No. #39 in Best Undergraduate Teaching.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 11,049 (fall 2024), and the campus size is 308 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Texas Christian University is 14:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at Texas Christian University is 14:1, and the school has 41.2% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Texas Christian University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Health Professions and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Psychology; Visual and Performing Arts; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Education; Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services; and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 92%. More Info
7. University of Houston (Big 12) – Houston, Texas
Overview: University of Houston is a public institution that was founded in 1927. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Houston is ranked No. #132 in National Universities. It’s also ranked No. #40 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 39,257 (fall 2024), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,812 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of Houston is 22:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at University of Houston is 21:1, and the school has 33.3% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Houston include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Psychology; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Engineering; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Social Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; and Engineering / Engineering-Related Technologies / Technicians. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 86%. More Info
8. Texas Tech University (Big 12) – Lubbock, Texas
Overall: Texas Tech University is a public institution that was founded in 1923. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Texas Tech University is ranked No. #198 in National Universities. It’s also ranked No. #109 in Top Public Schools.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 32,580 (fall 2024), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,832 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Texas Tech University is 20:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at Texas Tech University is 21:1, and the school has 31.7% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Texas Tech University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Engineering; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences; Agricultural / Animal / Plant / Veterinary Science and Related Fields; Psychology; Education; Social Sciences; and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 86%. More Info
9. University of North Texas (AAC) – Denton, Texas
Overview: University of North Texas is a public institution that was founded in 1890. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of North Texas is ranked No. #208 in National Universities. It’s also ranked No. #34 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 34,458 (fall 2024), its setting is city, and the campus size is 1,017 acres. The student-faculty ratio at University of North Texas is 26:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at University of North Texas is 27:1, and the school has 33.2% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of North Texas include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Visual and Performing Arts; Psychology; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities; Education; and Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 80%. More Info
10. (tie) Sam Houston State (C-USA) – Huntsville, Texas
Overview: Sam Houston State University is a public institution that was founded in 1879. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Sam Houston State University is ranked No. #257 in National Universities. It’s also ranked No. #52 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,787 (fall 2024), its setting is rural, and the campus size is 368 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Sam Houston State University is 21:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at Sam Houston State University is 21:1, and the school has 38.2% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Sam Houston State University include: Criminal Justice/Safety Studies; Teacher Education, Multiple Levels; Business/Commerce, General; Psychology, General; Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Animal Sciences, General; Exercise Science and Kinesiology; Health / Health Care Administration / Management; Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General; and Mass Communication/Media Studies. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 75%. More Info
10. (tie) Texas State University (Pac-12) – San Marcos, Texas
Overview: Texas State University is a public institution that was founded in 1899. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Texas State University is ranked No. #257 in National Universities. It’s also ranked No. #144 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 36,236 (fall 2024), and the campus size is 507 acres. The student-faculty ratio at Texas State University is 21:1. More Info
Academics: The student-faculty ratio at Texas State University is 21:1, and the school has 39.3% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Texas State University include: Psychology, General; Business Administration and Management, General; Criminal Justice/Safety Studies; Exercise Science and Kinesiology; Teacher Education, Multiple Levels; Computer Science; Marketing/Marketing Management, General; Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General; and Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 79%. More Info
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: State of Texas schools ranked academically by U.S. News for 2026-27
Reporting by Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire | USA TODAY Network
