We’re honored to be ranked the #1 University in Texas and #7 in the Nation by Washington Monthly’s 2025 College Guide and Rankings.
This achievement belongs to every student, faculty member, staff member, our alumni, and supporters who have helped shape UTRGV into the transformative institution it is today.
Our Vaquero community is also celebrating our inaugural Football season, the launch of our new Marching Band, our 10th Anniversary, and the opening of our UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center!
Come see what makes UTRGV a top choice—and now, the top-ranked public university in Texas.
The Washington Monthly’s main rankings comprise four equally weighted components: access, affordability, outcomes, and community and national service. To be top-ranked, colleges needed to excel across all four measures.
As a Best Bang for the Buck university, we measured high on:
Access — serving our students from low and moderate-income backgrounds.
Affordability — being accessible to students from lower to middle-income families.
Outcomes — helping our students graduate and succeed.
For the community and national service component of Washington Monthly’s methodology, we measured high on participation in: AmeriCorps & Peace Corps, ROTC, Community Service via Federal Work-Study, Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, Voting Engagement, and Degrees in Socially Valuable Fields.
This recognition is a powerful affirmation of what UTRGV stands for—and a historic milestone for a university that, in just a decade, has become a national model for access, impact, and student success.
Beyond #1: More Top Rankings
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Site Policies | Privacy Policy | Required Links | Fraud Reporting | UTRGV Careers |Clery Crime Reports | Texas Homeland Security | Texas Veterans | Mental Health Resources
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WE DID IT—AGAIN!
How'd We Do It?
"There’s nothing generic about this institution. Its programs reflect the needs of the borderlands. And its students, overwhelmingly local, are reshaping what public higher education can look like when built with—and for—a community. UTRGV is redefining what a regional public university can do."
— Washington Monthly
Join us as we look forward to more incredible achievements by staying connected with UTRGV. Keep up with upcoming announcements, news, and events by subscribing to The Newsroom and following us on Facebook, Instagram, or X!
Additional Rankings
Beyond #1: More Top Rankings
The Pillars of Our Success
"UTRGV’s affordable tuition has made a huge difference in my college journey. It’s allowed me to focus on my education without stressing about how I’ll be able afford the next semester. I’ve been able to stay enrolled full-time, get involved on campus, and take advantage of opportunities like student organizations and on-campus jobs. It’s given me the freedom to really enjoy and make the most of my college experience."
— Sofia S., UTRGV Undergraduate Student
Free Tuition: UTRGV Tuition Advantage covers full tuition for families earning $125K or less.
Low Student Debt: 90% or more of undergrads receive aid and graduate with minimal debt.
Fixed Tuition: A four-year tuition guarantee provides cost stability.
AFFORDABILITY & VALUE
Upward Mobility: With over 60,000 graduates, UTRGV is a national leader in helping students rise economically.
Strong ROI: Graduates benefit from high earning potential.
First-Gen Focus: Empowering first-generation students to thrive.
SOCIAL MOBILITY
#2
Best Hispanic Serving Institution
Regional Anchor: Dedicated to the success of the Rio Grande Valley.
Real-Woorld Learning: Students engage in service projects that solve community issues.
Cultural Enrichment: Enhancing the region through arts and public programs.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Innovation Leader: Record breaking research expenditures advancing research in healthcare, space, and cybersecurity.
Student Involvement: Undergrads gain hands-on experience with expert faculty.
Global Impact: Research that tackles local and global challenges.
RESEARCH
We’re honored to be ranked the #1 University in Texas and #7 in the Nation by Washington Monthly’s 2025 College Guide and Rankings.
This achievement belongs to every student, faculty member, staff member, our alumni, and supporters who have helped shape UTRGV into the transformative institution it is today.
Our Vaquero community is also celebrating our inaugural Football season, the launch of our new Marching Band, our 10th Anniversary, and the opening of our UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center!
Come see what makes UTRGV a top choice—and now, the top-ranked public university in Texas.
WE DID IT—AGAIN!
The Washington Monthly’s main rankings comprise four equally weighted components: access, affordability, outcomes, and community and national service. To be top-ranked, colleges needed to excel across all four measures.
As a Best Bang for the Buck university, we measured high on:
Access — serving our students from low and moderate-income backgrounds.
Affordability — being accessible to students from lower to middle-income families.
Outcomes — helping our students graduate and succeed.
For the community and national service component of Washington Monthly’s methodology, we measured high on participation in: AmeriCorps & Peace Corps, ROTC, Community Service via Federal Work-Study, Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, Voting Engagement, and Degrees in Socially Valuable Fields.
This recognition is a powerful affirmation of what UTRGV stands for—and a historic milestone for a university that, in just a decade, has become a national model for access, impact, and student success.
(Washington Monthly’s 2025 College Guide and Rankings)
Beyond #1: More Top Rankings
How'd We Do It?
"There’s nothing generic about this institution. Its programs reflect the needs of the borderlands. And its students, overwhelmingly local, are reshaping what public higher education can look like when built with—and for—a community. UTRGV is redefining what a regional public university can do."
— Washington Monthly
Join us as we look forward to more incredible achievements by staying connected with UTRGV. Keep up with upcoming announcements, news, and events by subscribing to The Newsroom and following us on Facebook, Instagram, or X!
Additional Rankings
Best Hispanic Serving Institution
#2
"UTRGV’s affordable tuition has made a huge difference in my college journey. It’s allowed me to focus on my education without stressing about how I’ll be able afford the next semester. I’ve been able to stay enrolled full-time, get involved on campus, and take advantage of opportunities like student organizations and on-campus jobs. It’s given me the freedom to really enjoy and make the most of my college experience."
— Sofia, UTRGV Undergraduate Student
#2
Best Bang for the Buck-Southern Colleges
Click below to learn more about UTRGV's first day achievements:
#2
Best Bang for the Buck-
Southern Colleges
Beyond #1: More Top Rankings
The Pillars of Our Success
Free Tuition: UTRGV Tuition Advantage covers full tuition for families earning $125K or less.
Low Student Debt: 90% or more of undergrads receive aid and graduate with minimal debt.
Fixed Tuition: A four-year tuition guarantee provides cost stability.
AFFORDABILITY & VALUE
Upward Mobility: With over 60,000 graduates, UTRGV is a national leader in helping students rise economically.
Strong ROI: Graduates benefit from high earning potential.
First-Gen Focus: Empowering first-generation students to thrive.
SOCIAL MOBILITY
Regional Anchor: Dedicated to the success of the Rio Grande Valley.
Real-Woorld Learning: Students engage in service projects that solve community issues.
Cultural Enrichment: Enhancing the region through arts and public programs.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Innovation Leader: Record breaking research expenditures advancing research in healthcare, space, and cybersecurity.
Student Involvement: Undergrads gain hands-on experience with expert faculty.
Global Impact: Research that tackles local and global challenges.
RESEARCH
A Tip of the Hat from Dr. Bailey
Sign up for Tip of the Hat, President Guy Bailey’s email newsletter sharing a front-row seat to the moments and milestones shaping UTRGV.
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#1 Among Texas Universities
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#3 Among Top Doctoral Universities
Top 15 Colleges
Washington Monthly’s 2025 College Guide and Rankings
Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars
Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars
- Berea College (KY)
- California State-Fresno
- California State–Northridge
- California State-Los Angeles
- Princeton University (NJ)
- California State–Sacramento (CA)
- UT Rio Grande Valley
- Florida International University
- California State–Long Beach
- MIT
#7 Among National Universities
Top 10 Colleges
Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars
- UT Rio Grande Valley
- UT El Paso
- Rice
- UT San Antonio
- Texas A&M International
- UT Arlington
- Houston-Downtown
- Sam Houston State
- UT Austin
- Houston
#1 Among Texas Universities
In Texas
- California State-Fresno
- Princeton
- UT Rio Grande Valley
- Florida International
- California State-Long Beach
- MIT
- California State–Bernardino
- California State–Fullerton
- Stanford
- Penn
- Duke
- Central Florida
- Cornell
- BYU
- Harvard
#3 Among Top Doctoral Universities
Top 15 Colleges
Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars