The ratings, in partnership with College Pulse and Statista, measure universities in regard to student outcomes and learning environment.
Texas Tech University continues to solidify its standing as one of the top academic and research institutions with the latest rankings from one of the most respected media outlets in the world.
The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings placed Texas Tech at No. 203 out of the top 400 universities in the country. In association with research partners College Pulse and Statista, the WSJ rankings rate colleges and universities in the U.S. on several components, including student outcomes and learning environment.
Texas Tech also ranked No. 64 in the nation in the student experience category and No. 134 in salary impact. The student experience ranking rated colleges rated by which ones offered a great experience while attending. The salary impact ranking lists schools in order of their effect on graduates' salaries and how this relates to the college's cost.
“The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings further exemplify Texas Tech's commitment to providing an exceptional and affordable educational experience,” said Lawrence Schovanec, Texas Tech president. “Every day, Texas Tech works to provide a unique and personalized experience and to produce graduates that are career-ready and positioned to be leaders in their community, our state and the nation.”
Texas Tech's ranking places it toward the top of the list among schools in Texas and in the Big 12 Conference. Texas Tech ranked No. 7 among the 22 public and private schools in the state that appear in the rankings and No. 4 among public schools in the state.
Among Big 12 schools, Texas Tech also ranked No. 7 of the 14 league teams in the rankings and No. 2 among Big 12 schools in Texas.
Of the 21 institutions nationwide that hold standing as both a Carnegie Very High Research Activity and Hispanic-Serving Institution, Texas Tech is among the 20 that rank on the WSJ/College Pulse list.
In rating student outcomes, which accounts for 70% of a school's score, factors that were examined include salary impact for graduates compared to similar institutions, the average net price of attendance and the value added to a graduate's median salary from that attendance, and graduation rate.
In terms of learning environment, which accounts for 20% of a school's score, factors include the quality and frequency of learning opportunities available to students, how well they are prepared for a career after graduation, academic facilities available to students, and the extent to which students would recommend their college or university. Diversity makes up the final 10% of the WSJ/College Pulse rankings.
The rankings were compiled from a survey of verified college students and recent alumni. College Pulse surveyed almost 61,000 students and alumni online during the first half of 2023, while graduate salaries were taken from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard for 2019 and 2020, examining median salaries 10 years after enrollment for graduates who received federal financial aid as a student.
Graduation rates were taken from the Department of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for 2021, measuring the proportion of first-time, full-time students studying for four-year bachelor's degrees who graduate within six years.
U.S. colleges were eligible for the rankings as long as they were eligible for federal financial aid, awarded four-year bachelor's degrees, enrolled more than 900 students, were not insolvent and not a for-profit institution.
