University ties for No. 1 among Texas public institutions; undergraduate engineering earns No. 106 ranking


  Wednesday, September 23, 2026
  Rankings and Achievements, Announcements, Around Campus

By News and Media Relations

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – SEPT. 23, 2026 – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has climbed 30 spots to No. 26 nationally in the Top Performers on Social Mobility category of the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, up from No. 56 in the 2026 rankings. UTRGV also tied for No. 1 among Texas public universities in the category.

UTRGV ranked No. 250 among National Universities and No. 137 among Top Public Schools, placing it No. 9 among Texas public institutions classified as National Universities.

UTRGV President Guy Bailey said the rankings reflect the university’s commitment to student success and continued academic growth.

“Rankings are one measure of our progress, but what matters most is the impact we are having on our students and the Rio Grande Valley,” Bailey said. “We are especially proud to remain No. 1 in Texas for social mobility, which speaks directly to our mission of creating opportunities that change lives. 

“At the same time, the significant gains made by several of our undergraduate programs demonstrate the continued growth, quality and momentum across UTRGV. We know there is always more work to do, and we will continue building on these successes as we move forward.” 

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS RECOGNIZED

Several UTRGV undergraduate programs also earned national recognition:

  • Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs: No. 106 nationally and No. 54 among public institutions in the category for schools where an engineering doctorate is not offered, up 91 spots from No. 197 last year.
  • Computer Science: No. 276 nationally, up 85 spots.
  • Business Programs: No. 301 nationally, up 34 spots.
  • Nursing: No. 336 nationally, up 49 spots.

The results reflect the growing national visibility of UTRGV’s undergraduate programs and its role in preparing graduates for high-demand careers across the Rio Grande Valley and Texas.

CREATING OPPORTUNITY

U.S. News’ social mobility rankings assess how well universities enroll and graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants, which generally support undergraduates with significant financial need.

The Best Colleges rankings evaluate institutions using indicators that include graduation and retention rates, student outcomes, faculty resources, financial resources and peer assessments.

To view the complete rankings and learn more about the U.S. News Best Colleges methodology, visit usnews.com/best-colleges.

 

UTRGV – THE FUTURE OF TEXAS

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is shaping The Future of Texas by delivering a high-quality, affordable university experience centered on student success, academic excellence, research, healthcare and community impact. With tuition among the lowest in Texas, UTRGV gives its 35,000 students the opportunities of a major university, including Division I athletics and a new football program, while delivering exceptional value for Texas families. The only university in Texas with schools of Medicine, Podiatric Medicine and Optometry, UTRGV serves South Texas across nine communities while driving innovation and developing the talent that will move Texas forward.