SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 — Forbes has ranked UTSA No. 127 in public universities in its 2024–2025 America’s Top Colleges list for the university’s success in delivering an affordable, high-quality education that supports students from diverse financial backgrounds and prepares them for long-term success.
Forbes’ ranking methodology evaluates higher education institutions based on alumni salary, student debt, graduation rates, return-on-investment (ROI), retention and academic success.
Among ranked institutions, UTSA earned these placements:
These rankings reflect UTSA’s continuing efforts to eliminate financial barriers, empowering students to graduate quicker and with less debt. For example, 39% of UTSA students are graduating with no tuition loan debt compared to 29% a decade ago.
Forbes’ ranking also emphasizes schools that effectively support Pell Grant recipients, rewarding institutions like UTSA for serving a large percentage of low-income students and achieving strong graduation outcomes for them. About 75% of UTSA undergraduates receive financial aid, and more than 11,000 undergraduates, or 45% of all students, receive federal Pell Grants each year, according to the UTSA Office of Institutional Research and Analysis.
UTSA’s Bold Promise and Bold Scholars programs provide intentional support to help students succeed in addition to offering financial assistance and on-campus housing that can magnify belonging and success. Initially launched in 2019, Bold Promise provides full tuition to eligible Texas students who rank in the top 25% of their high school class and have household incomes up to $70,000. Since its inception, more than 4,000 students have benefited from the program and 67% of Bold Promise students have been first-generation college students.
UTSA further supports retention and persistence through its network of faculty development and support, student success, mentoring and advising programs. The university also actively seeks opportunities to collaborate with similar institutions and with nationwide initiatives to improve student success outcomes.
For example, by participating in the nationwide Student Experience Project, UTSA leveraged new classroom approaches training for faculty. The enhancements contributed to a 2% decrease in drop, fail and withdrawal (DFW) rates between Fall 2022 and Fall 2023 during the pilot phase, with improvements across various student groups, including Pell-eligible and first-generation students.
UTSA consistently prepares graduates for successful careers in top industries aligned to the region’s strengths, supported by a combination of financial assistance, strong academic support programs, and a commitment to empowering students from all backgrounds to build their own bold futures.
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Move In To COLFA is strongly recommended for new students in COLFA. It gives you the chance to learn about the Student Success Center, campus resources and meet new friends!
Academic Classroom: Lecture Hall (MH 2.01.10,) McKinney Humanities BldgWe invite you to join us for Birds Up! Downtown, an exciting welcome back event designed to connect students with the different departments at the Downtown Campus. Students will have the opportunity to learn about some of the departments on campus, gain access to different resources, and collect some giveaways!
Bill Miller PlazaCome and celebrate this year's homecoming at the Downtown Campus with food, games, giveaways, music, and more. We look forward to seeing your Roadrunner Spirit!
Bill Miller PlazaThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
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