TCU’s spot in the 2018 U.S. News and World Report’s National University Rankings rose up this year, moving up four spots from 82nd to 78th.

TCU is tied with two universities for 78th: Miami University-Oxford and the University of Iowa.

Chancellor Victor Boschini said while the new ranking is reflective of the school’s efforts to better the learning environment, they should only be one aspect when evaluating and choosing colleges.

“If we focus on the students, the rankings will follow,” Boschini said.

The Frogs were also tied in rank with Miami University-Oxford and the University of Iowa for 41st in “Best Colleges for Veterans”, but stood alone at 69th for “Best Value Schools”. The ranking indicates a school’s quality in academics based on the 2018 U.S. News ranking with the 2016-2017 cost of attending the school for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid.

Some higher education experts warn the U.S. News Rankings should be taken lightly. Critics say prospective students and school administrators pay too much attention to the rankings. They also say that the rankings favor schools that have more affluent students. 

Other top schools in Texas are also on the list.

Rice remains the highest ranked Texas school and the only one ranked in the top 50 at number 14.

Five schools in Texas fought for positions in spots 80-50 with the University of Texas at Austin at 56th overall and SMU following at 61st. Texas A&M University climbed up to 69th this year, surpassing Baylor University, which fell four spots to 74th. TCU rounds out the group at 78th.

Other area universities on the list are the University of Texas at Dallas at 145th and Dallas Baptist University at 202th.