Making the Grade

San Antonio university graduates to the top of new ranking of best Texas schools

Trinity is tops.

An esteemed San Antonio university is once again at the top of the class. Personal finance website WalletHub has added to Trinity University’s accolades with a No. 3 ranking in Texas and a No. 61 ranking nationally among 2022’s best colleges and universities.

To determine the top-performing schools, WalletHub compared more than 1,000 institutions in the U.S. across 30 key measures, including student-to-faculty ratio, graduation rate, and post-school median salary.

In Texas, Trinity ranks No. 3 for admission rate and student-faculty ratio, No. 5 for post-school median salary, No. 6 for graduation rate, and No. 21 for gender and racial diversity. Not every ranking is that stellar, though. It comes in at 52nd for on-campus crime and 51st for net cost among 55 Texas schools.

Joining Trinity as the top schools in Texas, according to WalletHub, are the following institutions:

Rice University (No. 6 nationally)
University of Texas at Austin (No. 45 nationally)
Trinity University in San Antonio (No. 61 nationally)
Texas A&M University in College Station (No. 127 nationally)
Southwestern University in Georgetown (No. 144 nationally)
University of Dallas (No. 152 nationally)
Southern Methodist University in Dallas (No. 178 nationally)
Austin College in Sherman (No. 192 nationally)
LeTourneau University in Longview (No. 231 nationally)
University of Houston (No. 238 nationally)
University of Texas at Dallas (No. 252 nationally)
Texas Christian University in Fort Worth (No. 253 nationally)
Baylor University in Waco (No. 357 nationally)
Texas Lutheran University in Seguin (No. 375 nationally)
Southwest Adventist University in Keene (No. 407 nationally)

colleges lists wallethub rankings education

A Night at the Market

San Antonio's Pearl unwraps holiday lights for night market series

Photo courtesy of Pearl

Pearl side streets are at their coziest when holiday decor is up.

The magic of the night market is returning to San Antonio's Pearl for the 2024 holiday season. A news release promises "festive music, unique local makers, and one-of-a-kind holiday finds" on Wednesday Evenings.

Like an extension of the usual farmers and summer makers markets held on the weekends, these markets will bring local vendors to the streets. Holiday Night Markets are scheduled for November 27 and December 4, 11, and 18 from 5-9 pm.

Although Pearl hasn't provided a list of vendors, we do know they'll be selling seasonal goods. Produce is not on the menu, so shoppers will still need to stop by the farmers market for their veggies.

Pearl Holiday Night Market The Holiday Night Markets are a lot like farmers markets in the same location.Photo courtesy of Pearl

The markets will be surrounded by Pearl's other holiday initiatives, including a holiday tree that lights up November 29, the day after Thanksgiving. In response to a question on Facebook about when carolers would stop by, Pearl could not give a date but confirmed that there would be different entertainment every week.

There will also be an opportunity to donate to several charities via Giving Machines from November 18 to December 8. The five benefactors in 2024 are the San Antonio Food Bank, Wish for Our Heroes, Alamo Head Injury Association, Vibrant Works and Catholic Charities of San Antonio. Donors can choose which they want to receive their gift.

Pearl Giving Machines The Giving Machines are like vending machines that drop gift cards into a collection bin to show contributions.Photo courtesy of Pearl

“We are delighted to welcome The Giving Machines back to Pearl in 2024,” said Pearl CEO Mesha Millsap in a separate press release. “Last year's overwhelming response showcased the incredible generosity of San Antonians during the giving season. We're excited to once again offer our community a chance to come together and make a tangible difference in the lives of our neighbors.”

Let me know if you have any questions. I am sharing a link to a folder of high-res images here to include markets, the tree and the Giving Machines. Our Giving Machines event takes place this morning at 10:30 a.m. and we opened a media pass through 11am for that press conference.

pearl markets holidays