Houston Universities Shine in U.S. News & World Report Rankings
Houston’s prestigious universities have made significant strides in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of the best graduate schools nationwide for 2025. Several graduate programs have also secured top 10 spots in a Texas-wide comparison.
Ranking Methodology
U.S. News published its annual national "Best Graduate Schools" rankings on April 8, evaluating various programs including business, education, engineering, fine arts, health, and more. This year’s report introduced new Ph.D. social sciences and humanities program rankings in English, history, political science, and sociology for the first time since 2021. Additionally, graduate economics and psychology programs in the social sciences and humanities were ranked for the first time since 2022.
Local Universities’ Rankings
Nine local universities have made it to the rankings, with some being newcomers. Here’s a breakdown of their rankings, both statewide and nationally, along with comparisons to last year’s national ranking:
- University of Houston: Ranked No. 4 for its graduate engineering school in Texas and No. 72 nationally. Its graduate education school ranked No. 5 in Texas and No. 81 nationally, down from No. 63 last year. The University of Houston Law Center ranked No. 5 in Texas and No. 63 nationally, up from No. 68.
- University of Houston Law Center: Boasts the No. 9 best health law program and ranked No. 15 for its legal writing program nationally. The university’s part-time MBA program ranked No. 38 nationally.
- University of Houston-Clear Lake: Tied for No. 166 for its part-time MBA program.
- University of Houston-Downtown: Ranked No. 21 for its graduate education school in Texas, tying for No. 234-258 nationally.
- Prairie View A&M University: Ranked No. 1 for its Doctor of Nursing Practice program in Texas and No. 33 nationally, up from No. 45. Its graduate nursing program ranked No. 2 in Texas and No. 41 nationally, down from No. 31.
- Texas Southern University: Ranked No. 5 for its graduate nursing program in Texas and No. 104 nationally, up from No. 117. Its Doctor of Nursing Practice program ranked No. 7 in Texas, tying for No. 143-158 nationally.
Rice University’s Achievements
Rice University has also made notable appearances in the rankings:
- Ranked No. 2 for its graduate business school in Texas and No. 29 nationally, unchanged from last year.
- Ranked No. 3 for its graduate engineering school in Texas and No. 26 nationally.
- Its entrepreneurship program is the 9th best in the country, and its part-time MBA program ranked 13th nationally.
- The George R. Brown School of Engineering earned nods for its No. 10-ranking biomedical engineering and environmental engineering programs.
Other Local Universities
- South Texas College of Law: Performed the best for its trial advocacy (No. 12), dispute resolution law (No. 23), and legal writing (No. 51) programs.
- Houston Christian University: Made its debut in the rankings.
Conclusion
The latest U.S. News & World Report rankings reflect the growing excellence of Houston’s universities, with several institutions making significant improvements and newcomers joining the ranks. These achievements underscore the city’s commitment to providing high-quality education and its potential to attract top talent from across the nation. As these universities continue to climb the ranks, they not only elevate the educational landscape of Houston but also contribute to the city’s reputation as a hub for academic excellence.
