Texas A&M Among Top Three Universities In Rankings That Emphasize Service To The Nation

Texas A&M is rated as one of the top three universities in the nation in the 2013 poll announced today (Tuesday) by Washington Monthly, which puts special emphasis on service to the nation.

Also, Texas A&M fares well in the publication’s new “Best Bang for the Buck” category, which links affordability with quality of education offered by the nation’s colleges and universities.

The Washington D.C.-based magazine ranks Texas A&M third nationally and first in Texas and among Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools in its overall ratings. Texas A&M has consistently ranked among the leaders ever since the publication began its annual survey.

The University of California-San Diego, which had topped the list for the past two years, again is ranked first, followed by the University of California-Riverside.

“We rate schools based on what they are doing for the country — on whether they’re improving social mobility, producing research and promoting public service,” notes Daniel Luzer, the Washington Monthly staffer who wrote the article announcing the 2013 rankings, adding that the magazine’s survey is meant to be an alternative to ranking based on such factors as wealth and exclusivity.

The “Best Bang for the Buck” category focuses on “schools that do the best job helping non-rich students earn marketable degrees at affordable prices,” Luzer explains. Texas A&M ranks 11th on that list and is the only Texas school included among the top 25.

Texas A&M is the only college to rank prominently — among the top dozen — on both lists.

The Washington Monthly rankings are the second non-conventional listings this month in which Texas A&M has been rated high nationally. Sierra magazine, which is published by the environmentally oriented Sierra Club, listed Texas A&M as a “cool school,” based on its achievements in energy and water conservation and for engaging students in sustainability initiatives.

Also, Texas A&M traditionally fares well nationally in the more traditional ratings based on academics and affordability, university officials note.

Other institutions that ranked among the top 10 in the Washington Monthly are (in order) Case Western Reserve, University of California-Berkeley, Stanford University, University of Texas at El Paso, Harvard, Georgia Tech and University of California-Los Angeles.

To view the magazine overall rankings and related information, click here.