The University of Texas at San Antonio has jumped 92 spots on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Colleges to No. 280, the most significant increase of all public universities and the second-most of all colleges and universities. Among public universities on this year’s list, UTSA ranks No. 151.

Now in its 40th year, the Best Colleges rankings has been a major influencer in how prospective students across the country select where to go to college. Nearly 1,500 colleges and universities are included in its rankings.

This year’s list reflects changes to the way U.S. News ranks universities—the goal being to place a higher emphasis on social mobility and outcomes. New factors, including first-generation graduation rates and proportion of college graduates earning more than a high-school graduate, mean universities like UTSA are being measured more accurately for their impact. Meanwhile, UTSA’s focused efforts around research and student success have propelled the university to greater recognition.

“Over the last decade we have worked strategically to become a Carnegie R1 institution, to be eligible for National Research University fund status here in Texas, to be recognized for our immense progress in student success measures, to become a Seal Certified institution from Excelencia in Education, and to showcase how our students benefit from a UTSA education as they enter the workforce with low debt and high economic and social mobility,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “These collective efforts have been noticed and we are grateful for the recognition.”

“Over the last decade, we have worked strategically to ... showcase how our students benefit from a UTSA education as they enter the workforce with low debt and high economic and social mobility.”

As part of the Best Colleges ranking, UTSA was also recognized for its innovation and commitment to social mobility—taking the No. 58 and No. 47 spots, respectively.

In determining social mobility, U.S. News looked at how well institutions graduated economically disadvantaged students—including first-generation and Pell Grant-awarded students.

UTSA is committed to preparing career-ready students by increasing access to excellence and cultivating an environment where students from all backgrounds can excel. A Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), 59% of UTSA’s students identify as Hispanic.

Over the past several years, UTSA has seen a rise in one-year, two- and three-year retention rates. UTSA has also decreased the average time it takes for students to earn their degree—from 5.4 to 4.3 years. That means students are entering the workforce earlier and graduating with less debt. Financial aid and student success programs, which enable students to focus on degree completion, have been key to UTSA’s success in retaining and graduating students.

The innovation ranking recognizes UTSA’s dedication to making promising changes on campus through innovative improvements to such areas as curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technologies and facilities.

With an emphasis on transdisciplinary collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship, UTSA is leveraging its research and development capabilities to benefit the San Antonio community and the world beyond. The university has a strong technology transfer network, enabling faculty members to develop and commercialize innovative solutions for the benefit of society. This environment enables industrial research, partnerships, intellectual property management, proof-of-concept development, new venture incubation and entrepreneurial training.

UTSA has also set itself apart through university-wide efforts such as the Classroom to Career initiative. UTSA’s strong focus on preparing students with cutting edge curricula and experiential learning experiences provides a formula for a marketable advantage in the workplace.

By participating in these immersive “learning-by-doing” opportunities such as internships, service learning, undergraduate research and study abroad programs, students understand how classroom learning applies in the real-world and develop marketable skills that improve career success.

These experiences are important for greater success, financial security and a higher quality of life for all students, especially for those from historically underserved populations.

“UTSA’s Classroom to Career initiative is making a deep impact on the lives of our students, their families and our community,” said UTSA Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Shipley. “We know that learning isn’t limited to the classroom. By engaging our faculty and industry partners to create valuable learning opportunities for our students, we are preparing students for future success while meeting the growing needs of our local workforce.”

As part of its strategic plan, UTSA aims for 75% of its undergraduate students to participate in some type of experiential learning before graduation. These valuable experiences prepare students with the knowledge, skills and insight to overcome challenges, navigate the workplace and achieve career success.