The University of Texas at Austin has been recognized as one of the top public universities in the United States, according to the latest "Best National Universities Rankings" from U.S. News & World Report. The institution secured the No. 7 spot among public universities and was ranked No. 30 overall among all national universities, both public and private.
The rankings evaluated over 400 colleges based on factors such as graduation rates, faculty resources, and graduate outcomes, including starting salaries and debt levels. In addition to its overall performance, 24 of UT Austin's undergraduate programs were ranked in the top 10 nationally.
Key Takeaways
- UT Austin is ranked the No. 7 public university in the United States, tied with the University of Florida.
- The university holds the No. 30 position among all national universities.
- It was named the No. 1 public university in the state of Texas.
- 24 individual undergraduate programs at UT Austin placed in the top 10 nationally.
University's National and State Standing
The University of Texas at Austin affirmed its position as a leading academic institution in the recent U.S. News & World Report analysis. The university's placement as the seventh-best public university in the nation highlights its consistent performance against other high-achieving schools.
Within Texas, UT Austin was named the top public university. The rankings considered a range of metrics, including student retention, the resources available for classroom instruction, and the success of graduates in the workforce.
"Our commitment to the people of Texas is to deliver an uncompromising standard of academic excellence," UT President Jim Davis stated in a news release. "That excellence is driving the highest demand and student performance in our University’s history, and today’s rankings validate our performance. I am grateful to our faculty and staff for their dedication to our students and their academic success."
A Look at the Metrics
The evaluation process for the rankings is comprehensive, focusing on student outcomes and institutional quality. Key factors include graduation and retention rates, which signal student satisfaction and success. The analysis also weighs the starting salaries of graduates against the debt they incurred to obtain their degrees.
UT Austin by the Numbers
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 43,165
- Acceptance Rate: 27%
- In-State Tuition and Fees: $11,687
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor's Degree
Top Public Universities in the Nation
UT Austin's No. 7 position places it among an elite group of public institutions. The rankings provide a clear picture of the competitive landscape for public higher education in the United States.
According to U.S. News & World Report, the top public schools are:
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
- University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (tie)
- University of Virginia (tie)
- University of California, San Diego
- The University of Texas at Austin (tie)
- University of Florida (tie)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (tie)
- University of California, Davis (tie)
- University of California, Irvine (tie)
Exceptional Performance in Undergraduate Programs
Beyond its overall institutional ranking, UT Austin demonstrated significant strength in its specific undergraduate programs. Of the 37 programs evaluated, 35 were named the best in Texas. Nationally, 24 of these programs secured a spot in the top 10.
The university's engineering, business, and computer science schools received particularly high marks, with multiple specializations recognized for their quality.
Program Evaluation
The subject-specific rankings are based on peer assessments from deans and senior faculty members at other institutions. This method gauges the academic reputation and quality of a university's programs from the perspective of experts in the field.
Top-Ranked Engineering Programs
The Cockrell School of Engineering was ranked No. 11 overall among schools where a doctorate is the highest degree. Several of its specific disciplines were listed among the nation's best.
- Petroleum Engineering: No. 2
- Chemical Engineering: No. 5
- Civil Engineering: No. 5
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering: No. 6 (tie)
- Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering: No. 8
- Computer Engineering: No. 8
- Electrical/Electronic/Communications Engineering: No. 9
- Biomedical Engineering: No. 10
Leading Business Specializations
The McCombs School of Business was ranked No. 6 overall for its undergraduate programs. It boasts a wide array of specializations that are considered among the best in the country.
- Accounting: No. 2
- Marketing: No. 3
- Finance: No. 5
- Analytics: No. 6 (tie)
- Entrepreneurship: No. 6
- Insurance: No. 6
- Management: No. 6
- Management Information Systems: No. 7
- Production/Operation Management: No. 7 (tie)
- Real Estate: No. 8
- Quantitative Analysis: No. 9
- Supply Chain Management/Logistics: No. 10
Computer Science Program Highlights
UT Austin's Computer Science program also received high praise, tying for No. 9 in the nation. Within this field, two key areas of study were singled out for their excellence.
- Artificial Intelligence: No. 7 (tie)
- Theory: No. 9
These strong departmental rankings contribute to the university's overall reputation and attract top students and faculty from around the world. The consistent recognition across multiple fields underscores the depth and quality of the academic offerings at The University of Texas at Austin.