University Impact Rankings names Texas State among top institutions for social impact

Texas State University has been included on the inaugural Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings, announced April 3.

THE University Impact Rankings assess universities worldwide against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), using calibrated indicators to provide comprehensive and balanced comparisons across three broad areas: research, outreach and stewardship. The rankings include more than 450 universities from 76 countries. 

Texas State was included in the 101-200 cohort. Only the first 100 institutions were assigned individual numerical rankings. Texas State is one of just three universities in the state to be recognized. 

The new global university ranking approach aims to measure institutions’ impact on society, evaluating their performance on 11 of the 17 SDG. The SDG – which include providing inclusive and equitable quality education, achieving gender equality and fostering innovation – were adopted by the U.N. in 2016 and provide a framework for developing the world in a sustainable way.

Texas State's result is based on its performance on SDG 17 - Partnership for the Goals, and the three SDGs the university scored highest on:

• Gender equality (Texas State ranked 23rd)
• Sustainable cities and communities (Texas State ranked 40th)
• Peace, justice and strong institutions (Texas State ranked 44th)

Texas State scores in the remaining SDG categories considered in the University Impact Rankings are:

• Good health and well-being  (ranked 201-300)
• Quality education (ranked 101-200)
• Decent work and economic growth (ranked 101-200)
• Industry, innovation and infrastructure (not ranked)
• Reduced inequalities (ranked 101-200)
• Responsible consumption and production (not ranked)
• Climate action (ranked 101-200)
• Partnership for the goals (ranked 201-300)

The University Impact Rankings metrics were developed in partnership with Vertigo Ventures and Elsevier. For more information on the ranking methodology, visit www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/methodology-impact-rankings-2019.

The University Impact Rankings list is led by New Zealand's University of Auckland, with Canada’s McMaster University second and the University of British Columbia and the United Kingdom's University of Manchester tied for third. Japan is the most-represented nation in the table with 41 institutions, followed by the U.S. with 31 and Russia with 30.

For the complete rankings, visit www.timeshighereducation.com/rankings/impact/2019