The honor marks the sixth straight year the university has been recognized for its efforts to create a strong, consistent workplace culture.
For the sixth straight year and eighth time since 2014, Texas Tech University has been recognized as one of the best destinations in the country for employees with its ranking in the 2026 Great Colleges to Work For® program, one of the largest and most respected initiatives in the country that measures workplace factors in higher education.
The ranking is based on results of the Great Colleges to Work For® survey of faculty and staff at 171 institutions across the U.S., including 105 four-year colleges and universities. Texas Tech is one of 76 institutions to earn the designation.
“Our faculty and staff are central to the success of our students and the university, and I am grateful for their dedication and the many ways they contribute to Texas Tech,” President Lawrence Schovanec said. “To be recognized as a Great College to Work For® for the sixth consecutive year reflects the strength of our university community and our continued commitment to creating an environment where our faculty and staff can succeed.”
The university also was recognized in 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
One other university within the Texas Tech University System – Angelo State University – also was honored. Texas Tech, Baylor and Kansas State were the only schools from the Big 12 Conference recognized on the 2026 list.
Texas Tech earned recognition in two categories that determine a university’s status on the list:
- Compensation and benefits
- Professional development
Now in its 18th year, the Great Colleges to Work For® survey is based on a two-part assessment process. The first part is the ModernThink Higher Education Insight Survey© administered to faculty, administrators, exempt professional and non-exempt staff as well as adjuncts at two-year colleges. The second part is the ModernThink Higher Education Institution Questionnaire©, which captures employment data and workplace policies and practices from each institution.
Recognition analysis for the Great Colleges to Work For® program is conducted by ModernThink, an organizational development firm with particular survey and “Best Place to Work” expertise.
“Being recognized once again as a Great College to Work For® is an honor that reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff and commitment to advancing the university’s mission, supporting student success and pursuing excellence in all that we do,” said Jodie Billingsley, senior associate vice president for Human Resources.
About ModernThink, LLC
As a research and consulting leader in workplace issues, ModernThink has supported a wide variety of “Best Place to Work” initiatives. Through these programs, the firm has gained substantial survey and industry expertise, including specific insight into higher education. ModernThink knows what it takes to build a great place to work and shares that know-how with its clients. The ModernThink team of organizational development experts is dedicated to helping colleges follow through and capitalize on feedback from employees and benchmark data from peers to drive meaningful change at their institutions. Learn more about the Great Colleges to Work For® program, including all current and previous recognized institutions, at GreatCollegesProgram.com and GreatCollegesList.com, and about ModernThink at ModernThink.com.