Today U.S. News and World Report released its 2022-2023 Best Colleges rankings, and University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) moved up in its rankings from last year’s categories. The University also appears on new lists. The second-largest university in Houston, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university in the heart of downtown Houston.

“There is much to celebrate at University of Houston-Downtown,” stated UHD President Loren Blanchard, “and our ascent in the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings is just one measure of the positive outcomes emanating from our campus. As the Anchor Institution for the Greater Houston region, UHD is a top regional university and now ranks 27th in the West in social mobility for our graduates.”

As defined by U.S. News and World Report, Regional Universities offer a full range of undergraduate programs and some master's programs and are split into four regions: North, South, Midwest and West. UHD is considered a Top Regional University (West) with a ranking of 78, ten points higher than last year. UHD is highly ranked in these lists as well:

• Top Public Universities in the West: ranked 40 (+5) (ranked 45 last year);

• Top Performers on Social Mobility for Regional Universities (West): ranked 27 (+5) (ranked 32 last year); and

• Undergraduate Business Programs (overall): ranked 247 (tied) (+31) (ranked 278 (tied) last year)

UHD now appears in these listings for Regional Universities (West):

• Least Debt;

• Economic Diversity; and

• Ethnic Diversity.

“At UHD, we are especially concerned with upward socioeconomic mobility for our graduates,” added Blanchard, “so this climb up the social mobility ladder in terms of rankings is especially poignant.” Most importantly, it empowers UHD graduates to be leaders in their professions and their communities, enabling them to be thought leaders and problem solvers. However, upward mobility also sets up our graduates to:

• contribute more to the economy;

• have a better quality of life;

• contribute more civically;

• have a greater range of career opportunities;

• better adapt to a changing job market;

• be healthier;

• ensure that their children are prepared to attend college after high school graduation;

according to www.theclassroom.com.

“Moreover, UHD alumni graduate with the lowest student loan debt of any university in Texas,” added Blanchard. “Our graduates’ ability to enter the workforce with little or no debt speaks to their determination and the affordability of a UHD education.” The University is also noted nationally as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and Minority-Serving Institution with 53% Hispanic and 20% African-American students.

For more information, visit www.usnews.com/colleges. For more information on UHD’s 46 bachelor’s, 11 master’s degree programs and 17 fully online programs within the Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Public Service and College of Sciences & Technology, visit www.uhd.edu.