Florida and Texas Schools Excel in College Rankings While OU and OSU Fall Short: What It Means for Students

The recent City Journal College Rankings highlight the top 100 colleges in the U.S. These rankings focus on a few key factors: a strong curriculum, fostering open discussions, and helping students earn enough to pay off their loans. Interestingly, neither the University of Oklahoma nor Oklahoma State University made the list.

In contrast, several colleges in Texas ranked well. The rankings suggest that recent efforts in Florida, especially by Governor Ron DeSantis, have boosted the state’s universities. Florida’s approach emphasizes a well-rounded education that includes civic values.

According to City Journal, many rankings miss critical aspects of what makes a college worthwhile. They claim that existing lists often overlook the quality of education and campus culture. “With higher education in crisis, you need the most relevant information to choose the right college,” they state. They consider whether schools promote healthy debate, avoid divisive ideologies, and prepare students for a successful future.

The University of Florida was recognized as the best university in the nation. Its curriculum has evolved recently to prioritize classic texts and civic education. A notable initiative is the Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education, created to deepen students’ understanding of Western civilization and American governance.

The City Journal report notes that the University of Florida has minimal bureaucracy around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and is free from activist pressures. Additionally, it still requires standardized test scores for admission. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) even awarded it a strong rating for free speech policies.

Other top universities include Texas A&M, which ranked fourth overall, and the University of Texas at Austin, ranked second. Florida State University also performed well, taking seventh place overall and third for return on investment, with graduates quickly recouping their education costs.

Interestingly, only one Oklahoma institution made the top 100: the University of Tulsa, at 43rd. According to the report, its faculty are notably diverse in ideology. The report suggests that students perceive their professors as being moderately diverse in political beliefs and that contributions from faculty lean towards both liberal and conservative causes.

This ranking sheds light on the ongoing conversation around higher education. As students seek valuable investments in their future, it’s essential to consider not just the cost of tuition but the educational environment and overall support. With the landscape of university education shifting, choices made today will have lasting impacts on tomorrow’s leaders.

For further details, check out the full City Journal College Rankings [here](https://collegerankings.city-journal.org/rankings).

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