The University of St. Thomas-Houston has been selected as a 2024 Hidden Gem in a recent announcement by College Raptor. This leading college planning platform helps families discover college matches driven by AI algorithms to find the best colleges at the best price. 

UST, a private, Catholic liberal arts institution, was selected for Hidden Gems in the Southwest US. According to the College Raptor website, the Southwest is a dynamic and unique region. The area boasts some of the most outstanding colleges in the country that are accessible and amazing, but you may not have heard of them yet. The Southwest region includes Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Common majors for UST students include nursing, biology, psychology, and general studies. Eighty-six percent of St. Thomas students receive institutional grant aid averaging $19,000.

“We are honored to be included prominently in the Hidden Gems in the Southwest College guide,” UST President Dr. Richard Ludwick said. “University of St. Thomas is on the move, welcoming its largest freshman class in university history. UST attracts and retains talented students from around the world who join us for an education that prepares them for a life and career.”

This selection recognizes UST as one of the best colleges in the country based on a combination of factors, including retention rates, graduation rates, student-to-faculty ratio, endowment per student, selectivity and other key metrics as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently available enrollment year.

“For students seeking the enriching experience of a smaller college with exceptional programs, institutions like UST emerge as prime options, and we are honored to spotlight them with the recognition they genuinely deserve,” said William Staib, co-founder and CEO, College Raptor. 

College Raptor’s full methodology is outlined here.