UTRGV began the first week of the Fall 2022 semester with news it ranks second among all Texas public universities, according to Washington Monthly. The publication’s annual national College Guide and Rankings also places UTRGV as the 45th best public university in the United States among more than 400 other schools.

Additionally, UTRGV places first in Texas in the following public university rankings:

• Lowest net price of attendance for students whose household income is below $75,000. UTRGV also places second nationally.
• Performance of Pell Grant-eligible students. UTRGV also places fourth nationally.
• Social mobility of students. UTRGV also places 12th nationally.

The university also places second among Southern public universities for Best Bang for Your Buck. These include schools in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee.

UTRGV President Guy Bailey said these rankings are a byproduct of the university’s commitment to embodying and building upon the Valley’s values, including family, hard work and entrepreneurship.

“These rankings are no accident,” Bailey said. “Ever since UTRGV was created, we set out to be the best value university in the country, providing a high-quality education at an affordable price. The rest of the country is now taking notice of the special things that are happening in the Valley, and I am grateful to all the students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners who have played a role in our success.”

Washington Monthly ranks four-year schools based on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories. These include social mobility, research and providing opportunities for public service. Schools in the ranking include national universities, liberal arts colleges, baccalaureate colleges and master’s universities.

In May, UTRGV was also in The Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine’s first-ever list of the top 10 schools in the country for Hispanics/Latinos in STEM careers. The university ranked fifth Schools for Mathematics and Statistics (Graduate Degrees, 2019-20), and seventh in Schools for Health Professions and Related Programs.