Texas Top 15 Universities (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio: unemployed, high school, closing)

[JJG]

Originally Posted by Mark Senior

Baylor "got" into Big 12, then of course received better coaches, players, started winning, equals, prestige, higher rankings

Yeah... like 15 years AFTER the Big XII came into existence.

This isn't about sports, it's about the university in general.

[mmccullo]

Universities that made the 2013-2014 Kiplinger list were announced yesterday, October 17, 2013.

Among them was Trinity University.

The magazine lists the University based on academic quality and affordability.

SAN ANTONIO - Kiplinger's Personal Finance has included Trinity University on its list of the country's best values in private colleges, placing the institution at No. 31. Kiplinger's annual list ranks 100 private universities and 100 liberal arts colleges. The top 50 colleges and top 50 universities appear in Kiplinger's December issue-on newsstands Nov. 5.

Trinity University and the other schools included in the 2014 lists represent the colleges that provide high-quality academics at a reasonable cost during these continued tough economic times. The colleges exemplify the attributes parents and students look for in higher education, including small class sizes, a good freshman retention rate and a high four-year graduation rate. Many schools, including Trinity, have appeared on the list multiple times.

"With President Obama's recent emphasis on rating colleges and universities based on their value, our rankings serve as a valuable resource to help students and families make more informed choices," says Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. "Combining a high-quality education with an affordable price tag is a challenge, but the colleges on this year's list offer the best of both worlds."
Kiplinger's rankings measure academic quality and affordability. Academic criteria include the student admission rate (the number of students accepted out of those who apply), the test scores of incoming freshmen, the ratio of students to faculty members, and the four- and five-year graduation rates. On the cost side, Kiplinger's measures the sticker price, the availability and average amount of need-based and merit-based financial aid, and the average student debt at graduation. Many of the schools on the top 200 list have appeared in Kiplinger's rankings in previous years, demonstrating that these schools consistently deliver good value.

Trinity University, founded in 1869, is one of the nation's top private undergraduate institutions. Noted for its superior academic quality, outstanding faculty, and exceptional academic and residential resources, Trinity is committed to the intellectual, civic, and professional preparation of its students.

[ScoPro]

Well, if the president thinks rankings should be also based on affordability, then both his alma maters wouldn't be on anybody's list.

[L210]

Trinity University is not cheap either, but it doesn't mean that high ranking private schools can't be affordable. Many of these schools are generous with loan-free aid. Most Harvard students graduate with little debt.

[cinfali]

Originally Posted by BCB

What are you talking about?

Actually, Mark has a point. Sports is a great way to promote your university, that is why so many academic institutions invest heavily in it although most of them lose money.

For example, after Appalachian State beat Michigan , they got a huge bump in applications.
http://www.appstate.edu/~mt54813/doc...Admissions.pdf (and selectivity is a big component of the university rankings.)

Similar stuff happened at Boise State, University of Cincinnati etc. Of course, sports can only take you so far, but it makes a difference.

[DanielWayne]

Originally Posted by cinfali

Actually, Mark has a point. Sports is a great way to promote your university, that is why so many academic institutions invest heavily in it although most of them lose money.

For example, after Appalachian State beat Michigan , they got a huge bump in applications.
http://www.appstate.edu/~mt54813/doc...Admissions.pdf (and selectivity is a big component of the university rankings.)

Similar stuff happened at Boise State, University of Cincinnati etc. Of course, sports can only take you so far, but it makes a difference.

There is truth to this.

The Flutie Effect: How Athletic Success Boosts College Applications - Forbes

[PanTerra]

Originally Posted by cinfali

Actually, Mark has a point. Sports is a great way to promote your university, that is why so many academic institutions invest heavily in it although most of them lose money.

For example, after Appalachian State beat Michigan , they got a huge bump in applications.
http://www.appstate.edu/~mt54813/doc...Admissions.pdf (and selectivity is a big component of the university rankings.)

Similar stuff happened at Boise State, University of Cincinnati etc. Of course, sports can only take you so far, but it makes a difference.

But the point wasn't so well made regarding Baylor. It already was pretty high in the rankings. Doing well in sports again is just gravy.

[AT9]

Glad this thread is still alive...used to live in TX and now considering returning for law school. Rankings are so subjective, but I think it's better to consider schools on different tiers as opposed to individualized 1, 2, 3, etc. Here's how I would break it down:

Tier 1: UT-Austin, Rice
Tier 2: A&M, SMU, Trinity, Baylor
Tier 3: Tech, UH, UT-Dallas, TCU
Tier 4: The others

Like I said, this is subjective. My breakdown is based on my perception of a school's prestige, personal biases, etc. Of course, depending on your personal goals, price, and individual programs, you may be better off at UTSA than Trinity, UH than Rice, or UT-Dallas than SMU.

[ocean2026]

The OP Probably had no qualifications to make such a thread but wanted response. For many schools it depends on what you study. Sam Houston State is one of the Top 3 Criminal Justice Schools in the United States. For other subjects it's average. UTEP is similar to many of the other UT Schools - Permian Basin etc all are pretty decent. THe UT System is probably one of the best in the country although there is a large gap between the University of California and the rest.

[979Texan]

Agreed these rankings are subjective. Personal bias is fine as long as you realize it is bias and don't pump your school because you are so emotionally tied to an important life choice.

Plenty of good public and private institutions in Texas to go around, just gotta be wise on what a school is using to sell you on why you should go there.