As high school graduates gear up for their first year of college in Texas, several might find themselves on campus at a top-ranked university in the world this fall.
U.S. News and World Report released its 2026-27 Best Global Universities list — with six universities cracking the top 500 of the list.
The list takes into account 13 indicators and weights measuring global research performance and reputation, ranking the world’s 2,250 top universities.
Here’s a look at how some major public and private academic colleges and universities in Texas fared on the list.
Global Ranking: No. 56.
Locations: Austin, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Global Ranking: No. 117 (tie).
Locations: College Station, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Global Ranking: No. 201.
Locations: Houston, Texas.
Type: Private university.
Global Ranking: No. 296 (tie).
Locations: San Antonio, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Global Ranking: No. 390.
Locations: Houston, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Global Ranking: No. 451.
Locations: Waco, Texas.
Type: Private university.
Global Ranking: No. 503 (tie).
Locations: Richardson, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Global Ranking: No. 562 (tie).
Locations: Lubbock, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Global Ranking: No. 739 (tie).
Locations: Denton, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Global Ranking: No. 875 (tie).
Locations: Arlington, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Global Ranking: No, 1531 (tie).
Locations: San Marcos, Texas.
Type: Public university.
Global Ranking: No. 1906 (tie).
Locations: Fort Worth, Texas.
Type: Private university.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.