Dallas Universities Climb in 2025 U.S. News Graduate School Rankings
Nine Dallas-area universities have secured spots in the prestigious 2025 U.S. News & World Report graduate school rankings, highlighting the region’s growing academic prominence.
The rankings, released earlier this month, showcase both public and private institutions across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, with several schools making significant gains over previous years.
UT Dallas Leads Regional Performance
The University of Texas at Dallas has emerged as a standout performer, earning national recognition for its graduate programs. The university’s Jindal School of Management particularly impressed, ranking No. 16 overall and No. 12 among public universities for its online graduate business programs (excluding MBA).
This achievement reflects UT Dallas’s continued investment in high-quality graduate education and its growing reputation in specialized business disciplines.
UNT Dallas Shows Remarkable Improvement
Perhaps the most dramatic year-over-year improvement came from UNT Dallas, which climbed to #35 in the Regional Universities West category, up from #44 last year. The university also earned notable recognition for social mobility, veterans’ support, and value.
This upward trajectory demonstrates UNT Dallas’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities while maintaining affordability and quality.
SMU Maintains Strong Position
Southern Methodist University (SMU) continues to rank among the “Best National Universities” in the 2025 assessments. The private university maintains its reputation for academic excellence while also prioritizing financial accessibility.
“Three out of every four undergraduate students receive scholarships and/or financial aid,” notes SMU, highlighting the institution’s commitment to making quality education available to qualified students regardless of economic background.
Understanding the Rankings Methodology
The U.S. News graduate school rankings employ a comprehensive methodology that weighs multiple factors. Research activity accounts for 50% of a school’s score, while quality assessments (25%), faculty resources (20%), and student selectivity (5%) round out the evaluation criteria.
This multifaceted approach ensures that rankings reflect both academic reputation and measurable performance metrics.
Texas Higher Education Landscape
Beyond Dallas, other Texas institutions have also made their mark in the 2025 rankings. Texas A&M University continues to excel in STEM fields, law, and veterinary medicine, while Texas State University boasts eleven nationally ranked programs.
The strong showing of Dallas-area universities within this competitive statewide landscape speaks to the region’s growing importance as an educational hub.
As these rankings demonstrate, Dallas-area graduate programs are increasingly competitive on the national stage, offering students world-class educational opportunities without leaving the Lone Star State.