Houston Daily

The University of Houston has advanced in the latest U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” rankings, moving up six places to No. 68 among public universities and twelve spots to No. 132 overall. The rankings, released on September 23, reflect the university’s continued efforts to enhance student success and institutional performance.

Renu Khator, president of the University of Houston, said: “Our incredible rise in the rankings is a testament to our unwavering commitment to student success and institutional excellence. We’re relentless in our pursuit to transform lives and communities, ensuring a strong future for our students and state. I thank our faculty, staff, students and supporters whose drive empowered us to crack the top 70 for the first time.”

In addition to its overall improvement, UH ranked No. 40 nationally for social mobility—a measure that highlights how well universities help students from lower-income backgrounds achieve academic and career success. For the first time, UH also appeared on the “Most Innovative Schools” list at No. 48, which recognizes institutions making significant changes in curriculum development, faculty initiatives, campus life enhancements, technology adoption, and facilities improvements.

U.S. News & World Report bases its rankings on 17 criteria such as peer assessment (20% of an institution’s score), graduation rates (16%), and graduation rate performance (10%). The University of Houston’s six-year graduation rate has increased steadily in recent years and now stands at 65%, exceeding both state and national averages.

UH’s growing national reputation is also reflected in other recent evaluations. Forbes’ latest ranking placed UH at No. 43 among public universities nationwide—an increase of three positions—and at No. 107 overall after rising eight spots. In Princeton Review’s “Best Value Colleges,” UH ranked No. 42 nationally.

Additionally, fifteen graduate programs at UH were listed among the top fifty in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools” rankings; three were ranked within the top ten.

The university continues its focus on providing opportunities for diverse student populations while pursuing recognition as a leading public research institution.