New publication highlights Dallas-Fort Worth as No. 1 region for higher education in Texas
The Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) released a new edition of its Dallas-Fort Worth Higher Education Review at the annual State of Higher Education held Friday, Feb. 10, at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum.
The magazine tells the story of Dallas-Fort Worth’s (DFW) strong higher education ecosystem and the 70-plus institutions that contribute to DFW’s status as the intellectual capital of Texas.
“People don’t often think of DFW as a powerhouse for higher education, but the output and impact data showcase us as the No. 1 region in Texas for higher education,” said Elizabeth Caudill McClain, DRC Vice President for Education and Workforce.
Twenty-two percent of all students in Texas are enrolled in a DFW college or university, and 24% of all degrees completed annually in Texas come from a DFW college or university—that’s more than any other region in the state.
“Not only do we lead in enrollment and degree completion, but DFW is the No. 1 Texas metro area for Carnegie-designated R1 and R2 institutions,” Caudill McClain added. “We have the most students at the best institutions, and 72% of those students are staying and working in our region—fueling our economy—after graduation.”
DFW’s retention of graduates ranks as the sixth-highest rate in the U.S., and the region is home to five Carnegie R1 and R2 research universities.
The DFW Higher Education Review is produced by the DRC in collaboration with DFW universities and colleges. By releasing the publication at the start of the 88th Texas Legislative Session, the DRC hopes the publication will bolster advocacy efforts at the Capitol.
DFW’s strength in higher education is complemented by its economic strength. The region is the fastest-growing metro in the U.S., adding more than 97,000 people in 2021, and leads the U.S. for three-year job growth.
Universities and colleges in DFW not only complement the region’s economic strength—they fuel it. Higher education institutions generate $13.3 billion in business activity, and $67.4 billion of economic activity in the region comes from graduates of DFW institutions, totaling 15% of the total regional economy.
In addition to impact data, the DFW Higher Education Review includes stories covering how the DRC partners with higher education leaders, corporate initiatives that have driven improvements in workforce development and research, researchers building real-world solutions with data, and more.
Visit our Education & Workforce page to learn how the DRC is working to develop today’s talent into tomorrow’s workforce.