The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has been named the 2025 recipient of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ inaugural Excellence in Student Success Award, recognizing the institution’s comprehensive and data-driven approach to improving student outcomes. The award, announced in Philadelphia, honors universities that have demonstrated measurable progress in degree completion, reduced barriers to attainment, and implemented sustainable, institution-wide strategies that strengthen student achievement.
APLU President Waded Cruzado praised UTSA’s work, calling it a national model. “Public and land-grant universities provide one of the most accessible pathways to a life-changing education. UT San Antonio’s innovations in student success offer a blueprint for research institutions across the country,” she said.
UTSA’s strategy centers on a coordinated ecosystem that integrates academic innovation, financial access, and career development. Its Ruby Team—a cross-divisional leadership group—aligns efforts across student success, enrollment, data analytics, and academic affairs to deliver holistic support. Real-time dashboards and predictive analytics help faculty and staff identify obstacles and intervene earlier.
Key initiatives have produced significant gains. The Classroom to Career (C2C) program has expanded experiential learning by 85%, contributing to a 22% increase in degrees awarded to participating students. The Bold Promise program has enabled more than 5,000 high-achieving, low-income students to attend UTSA tuition-free. Course redesigns across high-impact classes have also strengthened student belonging and reduced D/F/withdrawal rates.
These efforts have driven a 94% increase in UTSA’s four-year graduation rate and a 71% increase in six-year completion. Today, 40% of UTSA graduates earn their bachelor’s degree debt-free.
UTSA was selected from a competitive finalist group that included UC Merced, University of Illinois Chicago, Northern Illinois University, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
