Sep 23, 2025 - News
University of Houston jumps in U.S. News college rankings
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The University of Houston climbed 12 spots in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings released Tuesday.
The big picture: The annual Best Colleges report is one of the most influential (and most controversial) rankings of colleges and universities nationwide.
By the rankings: UH rose from No. 144 to No. 132, back near its 2023 position. The university also ranks 68th in the nation's top public schools, closer to its goal of breaking into the top 50.
- Rice University remains the top-ranked school in Texas, moving up one spot to tie for No. 17 nationally. It also rose one place on the "best value" list, now ranked No. 5.
- The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University held steady at their previous national and public school rankings.