Peace Corps Ranks UT Among 2026 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges

The University of Texas at Austin cracked the top five nationally among large schools on the Peace Corps’ 2026 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities list, continuing its longstanding history with the Peace Corps and global service.  

UT Austin rose three spots to No. 4 in the country after 42 Longhorn alumni served in 27 countries around the world in 2025-2026. These include Armenia, Benin, Colombia, Costa Rica, Eastern Caribbean, Ecuador, Fiji, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malawi, Morocco, North Macedonia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, and Zambia. 

The University has steadily climbed the national rankings in recent years: UT earned its way into the Top 10 (No. 8) in 2024 before climbing to No. 7 in 2025 and has arrived at No. 4 this year.  

“Advising Longhorns who want to take their commitment to service abroad, representing the best of America in the service of peacebuilding, is very inspiring work,” said Anne Saldívar, UT campus Peace Corps recruiter. “To then see UT Austin represented in at least half of the current Peace Corps countries and continue to rise as a leading university just makes me feel even more proud of our students. I’m so thankful for my home within Texas Global.” 

Since the agency's founding in 1961, nearly 2,000 alumni from UT Austin have served abroad as Peace Corps Volunteers.  During that time, close to 250,000 volunteers have served in 144 host countries. 

“We are grateful to partner with colleges and universities across the nation who instill the value of national service in their students, inspiring them to pursue post-graduation,” said Peace Corps Acting Director Richard E. Swarttz. “In more than 60 countries, Peace Corps Volunteers are working side by side with communities helping to address real needs through agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health, and youth in development projects.”    

A New Generation in Service 

Vivian Nguyen, a 2024 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in leadership in global sustainability, is just one of the many Longhorns preparing to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer. Nguyen departs June 5 for Mongolia to begin training as an English teacher.  

“UT’s Texas Global helped me tremendously in discovering the Peace Corps mission and work,” Nguyen said. “Anne Saldívar, the school’s Peace Corps recruiter, supported me with mock interviews, reviewing my application materials and sharing her own experience, having gone through the process herself.” 

As an English teacher, Nguyen will collaborate with local educators to strengthen language learning and proficiency levels in Mongolia.  

“It was a joy working with Vivian as she prepared for service,” Saldívar said. “While her degree gave her tangible skills for this sort of work, her dedication to community service, maturity and openness to continue learning and adapting to new environments is what really set her apart and made her an excellent candidate for the Peace Corps.” 

Salvidar added, “I have nothing but confidence in her ability to thrive in the necessary people-to-people diplomacy work that lies ahead in Mongolia and beyond.” 

The daughter of Kim and Hieu Nguyen of Richardson, Nguyen joins the 174 Texas residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. More than 8,808 Texas residents have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. 

Preparing Future Volunteers  

The Peace Corps sends passionate and skilled Americans abroad to collaborate with community members on locally prioritized projects, gaining skills and experience while fostering mutual understanding and advancing both American and host country priorities. Nations and communities around the world continue to partner with the Peace Corps as the agency aspires to attract and support 8,000 volunteers in service by September 30, 2030.  

Individuals interested in applying for Peace Corps service are encouraged to speak with the UT Austin campus Peace Corps recruiter. UT Austin also offers a Peace Corps Prep program for students hoping to strengthen their applications. This program allows students to self-enroll in a Canvas course that helps align coursework with the Peace Corps’ mission and values.  

“Michele Hockett Cooper, the Peace Corps Prep faculty advisor and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Kazakhstan, is my closest partner on campus,” Saldívar said. “The PC Prep program helps students get clear about their motivation for service while getting support for their application, in addition to meeting like-minded students and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers.” 

The final Peace Corps Coffee Chat of the year happens Tuesday, April 28, 2:30-3:30 p.m., at the Lucky Lab Coffee Patio in West Campus. On Wednesday, April 29, 5-7 p.m., the Peace Corps End-of-Year Celebration takes place at the Texas Global Lounge. 

Learn more about UT’s Peace Corps resources and programs offered Texas Global or visit peacecorps.gov to learn more and apply for service.