2026 US News University Academic Rankings released

[DFWJC]

If anyone cares.
If not, just move on....

College rankings are always a bit odd, but the US News rankings have been around for a long time.
So here they are (link)


2026 US News


I have some SMU friends that like to brag...maybe not as much now that they're in the ACC
SMU is 16th out of 17 teams in the ACC...only ahead of Louisville
Again...fwiw

 

[DFWJC]

All Texas "Universities"

Rice
Texas
Texas A&M
Baylor-tie
SMU-tie
TCU
UT-Dallas
Houston
Texas Tech
St Thomas
North Texas
UT-Rio Grande Valley
UT-San Antonio
UT-Arlington
Sam Houston
Texas State
UTEP
Incarnate Word
Houston-Clearlake
Abilene Christian
Texas Women's
UT-Tyler
Prarie View
Tx AM-Kingsville
Tarleton St
Dallas Baptist
E Texas A&M--tie
Hardin Simmons--tie
Lamar--tie
Tx AM--Corpus--tie
Our Lady of the Lake--tie'
Texas Southern--tie
Texas Wesly--tie
Mary Hardin-Baylor--tie

 

[Sarek]

NJ #1

 

[Creeper]

Some shocking results in my opinions. When I attended college my school was in the top 3 in science and engineering colleges. It was MIT, Cal Tech, and Stevens Institute or RPI.. While lesser known, Stevens was considered one of the better schools in the country. We had difficult academic requirements for admission, a rigid curriculum based on a declared interest, (science or engineering), and a reputation for graduating the best scientists and engineers. Our graduates were sought after from all over the country, especially in chemical engineering. Now, Rutgers - Newark is even higher rated than Stevens. That school was an absolute joke. Students who couldn't get into Rutgers - New Brunswick, were offered admission in Newark. So many "party" schools are ahead of my alma mater. How embarrassing. I have my diploma hanging above my desk as I type this. I may have to take it down and hide it in the closet. The next time they ask me for a donation I may have to tell them to pound sand.

 

[VaqueroTD]

It's all subjective. I notice in San Antonio that University of Incarnate Word and Our Lady of the Lake University are almost the worst in Texas, below nearby UTSA, yet my memory of schools like that in San Antonio is they were a breeding ground for locals in the elite. I partied with the mayor's son one night and seemed like everyone I met had some connection to those small private Catholic schools.

 

[DFWJC]

It's all subjective. I notice in San Antonio that University of Incarnate Word and Our Lady of the Lake University are almost the worst in Texas, below nearby UTSA, yet my memory of schools like that in San Antonio is they were a breeding ground for locals in the elite. I partied with the mayor's son one night and seemed like everyone I met had some connection to those small private Catholic schools.

I think Trinity is by far the highest rated school in that part of the state.
They just didn't fall under the "universities" category set by US News.

As for those schools way down the list, I suspect they are splitting hairs at that point.
Plus, as you said, it can be subjective.

I will say this, well connected kids attedning a school doesnt mean its any good. Could be that they are already set up, so it doesn't matter where they go....or they were crap students witha big bank roll.

No big deal, just putting it out there

 

[gtb1943]

The whole thing is US News yearly big PR campaign patting themselves on the back