Texas universities rank among world’s top research institutions

June 19, 2026

Several Texas universities are among top research institutions in the world, following the release of a new global university ranking for 2026-27. 

The report, published by U.S. News & World Report, showcases 2,250 public and private universities around the globe that leverage academic research performance and global and regional reputations. The universities in the rankings are based on several criteria, including a global research score from 0-100 and global and regional research reputations, publications and international collaborations.

The newest rankings place several Texas Institutions amongst the world’s best with the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) leading the way at #56 with a research score of 73.6. UT Austin was ranked just below the University of North Caolina, Chapel Hill and one spot above the Karolinska Institute, a medical school in Stockholm, Sweeden.  

Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, one of Texas’ flagship public medical schools, placed just outside of the top 100 at #113 with a 67.2 global research score. They shared the spot with the University of Bern in Switzerland.  

Texas A&M, the largest university in the state, placed well at #177 with a research score of 63.5. The aggies tied with the University of Gothenburg in Sweeden, the countries 4th largest public University.  

Many other Texas public and private universities were featured in the rankings including:  

  • Rice University, 201st. 
  • University of Texas, San Antonio, tied 296th. 
  • University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, tied 324th. 
  • Baylor University, tied 451st 
  • University of Texas, Dallas, tied 503rd. 
  • Texas Tech University tied 562nd.  
  • University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, tied 599th. 
  • University of North Texas tied 739th.  
  • University of Texas, Arlington, tied 875th. 
  • Southern Methodist University, tied 944th  
  • University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, tied 1,153rd.  
  • University of Texas, El Paso, tied 1,238th.  
  • Texas State University tied 1,531st. 

Texas universities growing recognition on the global stage comes as enrollment has increased by over 10% in the last decade, while the state continues as the 6th largest global economy, according to estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.  

Photo by Brixiv from Pexels

This story is part of the weekly Texas Government Insider digital news publication. See more of the latest Texas government news here. For more national government news, check out Government Market News daily for new stories, insights and profiles from public sector professionals.

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