According to a newly released list by Forbes Media, Texas A&M University-Kingsville is ranked among the top 25 universities in the nation based on alumni ratings.
South Texas’ first institution of higher learning ranks 21st on the list and is one of only two Texas universities, included in the rankings, the other institution being Rice University. Topping the list are Princeton University, Yale University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
“Our alumni are passionate about this university and are tremendous advocates,” said Texas A&M University-Kingsville President Mark A. Hussey. “In 95 years, we have awarded more than 80,000 degrees. Our faculty and staff have impacted the lives of tens of thousands of graduates who have gone on to successful careers. Simply put, we change lives here.”
The ratings provide a novel approach to university rankings and are based entirely on alumni feedback. Forbes notes while consumers frequently review products and services, university rankings have traditionally included alumni feedback only as one small factor in their methodology.
Rankings are based on a study published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs entitled “Assessing The Validity of Consumer Ratings for Higher Education”. Researchers collected and analyzed data from the Strada-Gallup Education Consumer Survey. The data analyzed comes from 146,345 college graduates from 2,989 colleges and universities.
The study asked participants how strongly they agreed with a series of statements, including:
- You received a high-quality education
- You would recommend the educational path you took to other people
- You would not be where you are today without your degree
- You learned important skills during college courses that you use in your day-to-day life
- Your educational experiences make you an attractive candidate to employers
- Your education was worth the cost
- If you had to do it all over again, you would attend the same institution
“While I did not participate in this survey, I’m honored to be a part of Javelina Nation and completely agree that becoming a Javelina is well worth the investment. I certainly would not be where I am today without my experience at the university,” said Romeo Perez, a 1982 Chemical Engineering graduate. “Coming from a small South Texas town, I know first-hand the impact a first-class education from Texas A&I University/Texas A&M University-Kingsville has on the upward mobility of the families in our region and beyond. Sure, the affordability gave me access to an education, but the Javelina experience is what gave me the opportunities that started me on a career that took me to various parts of our country and across the globe. So yes, I would say that I am more than satisfied with my degree – I am a proud Javelina and glad to see my alma mater being highly recognized at a national-level.”
Of the institutions included on the list, Texas A&M-Kingsville is the least expensive university, with tuition of approximately $9,000 for in-state students. The University of Chicago is the highest-priced University with a tuition of more than $60,000. Forbes notes that “when it comes to alumni ratings, there is no relationship between price and quality.”
