Rival IQ: 2023 Higher Education Social Media Engagement Report

Rival IQ released its 2023 Higher Education Social Media Engagement Report. The University of Iowa has secured the top spot among D1 universities for the fifth consecutive year. The secret is dominance across multiple channels due to a diverse posting strategy and some seriously engaged followers.

The University of Iowa ranked first on Facebook and second on Twitter.

University of South Carolina at Columbia

The University of South Carolina at Columbia moved up the rankings this year, taking the silver medal, thanks to a significant increase in the number of users on Instagram.

The Gamecocks have been particularly successful on Facebook and Twitter this year, boasting about their current students and alumni in posts, not to mention their big win over arch-rival Clemson in the Palmetto Bowl.

Texas Christian University

Texas Christian University exploded onto the scene in 2023, jumping from No. 42 in 2022 to No. 3.

Having a football team in the national championship game certainly helps. In addition, TCU hosted a masterclass, posting photos, graphics and videos on social media.

James Madison University

The university has become a mainstay in the rankings, thanks to their third consecutive gold medal for Instagram, and top 10 finishes for both Facebook and Twitter.

Utah State University

Utah State University finished in the top 5 for the third consecutive year.

Leveraging its dedicated student body and loyal alumni, USU underpins its social media strategy with nostalgia-infused visuals such as campus beauty photos and timely takes on current trends, particularly targeting Generation Z.

Tarleton State University

Tarleton State entered the top 10 for the first time in 2022 and hasn't slowed down since, moving up two spots in the 2023 rankings.

Its performance on Facebook has been particularly impressive.

University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi enters the top 10 for the first time, having had a year of engaging content on all 4 social platforms, especially on Facebook and TikTok.

Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green State University made a huge step forward in the 2022 class, entering the top 10 for the first time.

It’s really influential on Instagram and has consistently high engagement on Instagram.

University of Georgia

The University of Georgia has found success over the past few years, largely due to a strong presence on Instagram and TikTok.

It is always popular on Instagram.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The Vols jumped on the TikTok bandwagon in 2022 to supplement their already strong presence on Facebook and Twitter, landing them in the top 10.