UT-Austin and Texas A&M Dominate New National University Rankings, Driven by Merit and Neutrality
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A new ranking system emphasizes factors beyond customary metrics, revealing the university of Texas at Austin as the nation’s second-best university and Texas A&M University in fourth place. Published by City Journal, the rankings assessed 100 institutions based on 68 factors across four key categories: Outcomes, Student Experience, Leadership Quality, and Educational Experience. The results signal a potential shift in how students and families evaluate higher education, prioritizing institutional strength and academic rigor over ideological alignment.
UT-Austin Excels in Leadership, A&M in student Experience
The University of texas at Austin demonstrated particular strength in Leadership Quality, while texas A&M University excelled in Student Experience and Outcomes. According to the report, UT-Austin’s success stems from a commitment to meritocracy and resisting political pressures, while A&M’s positive results are linked to its focus on value-added education and fostering student political tolerance.
DEI Policies Under Scrutiny
A key differentiator in the rankings appears to be the approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The report found UT-Austin to be “largely unburdened” by a DEI regime following the 2023 statewide ban. Specifically, the university currently has “no DEI employees per 1,000 students, no Chief Diversity Officer, and no DEI-related mandatory training.” Texas A&M benefits from state-mandated curriculum standards requiring courses in history and government, the report identified “room for advancement” in its overall curriculum. The university received a C grade from The American council of Trustees and Alumni, based on the inclusion of seven essential subjects in core requirements. The report noted that TAMU’s curriculum does not currently include courses focused on DEI or activism.
Institutional Neutrality as a strength
Both UT-Austin and Texas A&M were praised for adhering to a policy of institutional neutrality, avoiding “aggressive forms of activism” that could compromise their core missions. This commitment was demonstrated by Texas A&M’s decision to remain neutral in the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard affirmative action case and UT-Austin’s refusal to participate in the anti-israel Boycott, Sanctions, and Divestment campaign.
Positive Student Outcomes for Both Universities
The rankings also considered student outcomes, finding that UT-Austin graduates “find economic success” early in their careers. Texas A&M graduates, simultaneously occurring, “tends to overperform expectations ten years after initial enrollment by over $10,000.” These positive outcomes underscore the value of a degree from either institution.
Other Texas Universities Recognized
Baylor University secured the 23rd spot in the rankings, while Rice University came in 60th. The University of Austin, a relatively new institution founded in 2021 with a stated goal of fostering “a learning surroundings free of narrow ideological policing,” received a notable mention for its lack of DEI infrastructure.
A New Lens for Evaluating Higher Education
John Sailer, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and Kevin Wallsten, a California State Professor and adjunct MI fellow, emphasized that these rankings offer students “a radically different way” to assess universities. They wrote that the goal is to “empower students with a holistic, transparent, and data-driven ranking system” and to facilitate a return to higher education’s essential mission: “fostering rigorous intellectual inquiry, preparing students for engaged citizenship, and benefiting society through genuine learning.”
Neither Texas A&M nor UT-Austin responded to a request for comment prior to publication.
The full City Journal collage rankings are available here.
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