UT Southwestern Medical Center has been recognized as the top-ranked university in North Texas in the 2026-27 U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Global Universities” rankings, released Tuesday. The ranking evaluates approximately 2,400 institutions worldwide based on research-focused criteria, including the quantity of highly cited publications and international academic reputation.

UT Southwestern, a public medical school in Dallas that trains nearly 4,000 students annually, achieved the highest position among North Texas institutions, securing 113th place globally. Other regional universities also featured in the rankings: University of Texas at Dallas ranked 503rd, University of North Texas in Denton came in at 739th, and University of Texas at Arlington was positioned at 875th. Two private institutions, Southern Methodist University and Texas Christian University, were ranked 944th and 1,906th respectively.

The U.S. News global rankings differ from the annual “Best Colleges” list, which focuses on undergraduate metrics such as student-faculty ratios and borrower debt. Instead, the global rankings emphasize research output and academic impact.

Statewide, more than 20 Texas universities appeared in the rankings, with nine institutions placing within the top 500 globally. The University of Texas at Austin led the state with a 56th-place ranking, followed by Baylor College of Medicine at 144th, Texas A&M University at 177th, and Rice University at 201st. Other Texas universities ranked include University of Texas at San Antonio (296th), University of Texas Health Science Center Houston (324th), University of Houston (390th), and Baylor University (451st).

The U.S. News global rankings incorporate universities from over 100 countries, underscoring the competitive research landscape on an international scale. This year’s results highlight North Texas institutions’ contributions to academic research and their growing presence in global higher education.

The Dallas Morning News Education Lab spearheaded coverage of the rankings, supported by community funding and partnerships with local organizations and universities. The initiative aims to advance public understanding of critical education issues shaping the region’s future.