Alumni of Texas universities don’t need further proof that their degrees hold value, but a recent ranking says three schools set their graduates up for long-term goals particularly well. The University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and Houston’s Rice University made the cut on LinkedIn’s first-ever ranking of the 50 best U.S. colleges for long-term career success.
Rice University lands highest on the list at No. 31, joining just two other Texas schools: Southern Methodist University at No. 37 and UT at No. 46.
LinkedIn, a career networking site, says the ranking is based on exclusive data about alumni, such as job placement rates, advancement into senior-level jobs, post-graduate formation of startups, and pre-graduation internships.
“A four-year bachelor’s degree is a significant investment of time and money, especially as tuition costs rise and the job market shifts,” the LinkedIn report says. “For millions of Americans, the return on investment is worth it. Those who earn the degree can see an enduring impact on their earning potential and overall career trajectory.”
Where someone earns a degree can have an even bigger impact, according to LinkedIn, as graduates of top programs often land jobs more rapidly, build strong professional networks, and rise to leadership roles more quickly.
“Long-term success isn’t just about landing a great first job; it’s about sustained career growth and opportunity years after graduation,” Andrew Seaman, senior editor-at-large for jobs and career development at LinkedIn News, told Fortune. “For this list, that means looking at how well a school sets alumni up for the long haul.”
Topping the LinkedIn list are No. 1 Princeton University; No. 2 Duke University; No. 3 University of Pennsylvania; No. 4 Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and No. 5 Cornell University.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the data about the three Texas schools on the LinkedIn list:
- Tuition: $66,540
- Undergraduate enrollment: 4,800
- Top industries of graduates: Technology, business consulting, higher education
- Top post-graduation destinations: Houston, San Francisco Bay Area, New York City
- Notable skills: MATLAB programming language, engineering design, data science
- Tuition: $61,880
- Undergraduate enrollment: 7,285
- Top industries of graduates: Financial services, business consulting
- Top post-graduation destinations: Dallas, New York City, Los Angeles
- Most notable skills: AMPL programming language, Avid iNews content creation system, data science
The University of Texas at Austin
- Tuition: $10,858 (in-state); $42,554 (out-of-state)
- Undergraduate enrollment: 42,445
- Top industries of graduates: Technology, medical practices, advertising
- Top post-graduation destinations: Austin, Dallas, Houston
- Most notable skills: SOLIDWORKS computer-aided design software, architecture, Avid Media Composer video editing software
While, inexplicably, no San Antonio schools made this particular list, local universities have been faring well in other recent rankings. In mid-August, Trinity University and Texas State University in San Marcos were praised in education services company The Princeton Review’s “The Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition.” Later the same month, Trinity and the University of Texas at San Antonio got high marks on Forbes’ new annual list of America’s Top Colleges.
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