News Summary
Southern Methodist University (SMU) has been ranked as the top university in North Texas according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. SMU’s rise to the 88th position nationally reflects its strong graduation rates and student-faculty ratios. The University of Texas at Dallas was recognized as the area’s best public institution, while Texas Christian University also made significant gains. The rankings highlight the competitive higher education landscape in North Texas, emphasizing social mobility and educational outcomes.
Dallas, TX – Southern Methodist University (SMU) has been named the top university in North Texas, maintaining its reputation in the newly released 2026 U.S. News & World Report “best colleges” rankings. The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) earned recognition as the best public school in the area, reflecting a competitive higher education landscape in the region.
The rankings evaluate approximately 1,700 institutions across the United States based on more than a dozen criteria, including graduation rates, borrower debt, and student-faculty ratios. Among Texas schools, six made the top 100 national universities list, with SMU and Texas Christian University (TCU) being prominent representatives.
Rice University in Houston continues to lead as Texas’ best national university, securing the 17th position nationally. UTD holds the third position among public schools in Texas, following the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and Texas A&M.
SMU experienced an upward movement in the rankings, rising three spots from the previous year to achieve a national ranking of 88th. TCU made a notable advance as well, climbing eight spots to rank 97th nationally. Conversely, UTD faced a slight decline, dropping two spots to 54th among public schools nationwide and ranking 110th in the overall category of national universities.
The University of North Texas has also shown improvement, ranking sixth for public schools in Texas and rising 12 spots to number 208 overall nationally.
Key Statistics and Financial Considerations
SMU boasts a 76% four-year graduation rate, with 54% of its classes containing fewer than 20 students. The annual cost of tuition, fees, housing, and food at SMU is just under $70,000. In addition, SMU is ranked 96th in the Best Value Schools category, with notable rankings including 66th in Economics and 55th for Best College for Veterans.
TCU reports a 74% four-year graduation rate and indicates that 39% of its classes have fewer than 20 students. The cost of attendance at TCU is approximately $84,000 annually, and this institution is ranked 72nd in the Best Value Schools category.
The University of North Texas stands out in terms of social mobility, achieving a rank of 34th, which highlights its commitment to supporting students from various backgrounds, including first-generation college students.
Rankings Methodology and Implications
The rankings methodology emphasizes important measures such as social mobility and educational outcomes. This year’s evaluation introduced new criteria focused on first-generation college students’ experiences and achievements, underscoring the changing landscape of higher education.
Institutions like SMU and TCU have been recognized for their faculty’s dedication to research and continuous improvements in academic programs, which is an essential factor that contributes to a favorable learning environment for students.
Support for Educational Coverage
The education coverage, particularly in North Texas, is supported by community-funded initiatives involving local foundations and universities. This ensures comprehensive reporting and analysis of educational developments in the region.
For those interested in exploring the full array of rankings and additional contextual information, the complete set of data can be accessed on the U.S. News website.
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Additional Resources
- Dallas Observer
- Wikipedia: List of Universities in the United States
- WFAA
- Google Search: North Texas Universities 2026 rankings
- Dallas News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Higher Education
- Culture Map Dallas
- Google News: Texas university educational rankings
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
