Best Colleges in Texas + Complete List of Schools

The University of Texas at Austin is Texas' flagship public university. With 52,000 students and a bustling campus in downtown Austin, UT Austin is a great place to earn a degree. You can choose from over 170 undergrad fields of study or pick from 100 graduate programs.

On top of its academic reputation, UT Austin also brings college students to a city filled with dozens of museums, libraries, and cultural venues. While tuition rates vary depending on your program and state of residency, in-state undergrads can typically expect to pay less than $13,000 per year in tuition. Apply to UT Austin with the Common App or ApplyTexas application.

Rice University — one of the state's top private research universities — brings innovative research to Texas' largest city. Plus, it has a reputation for high-quality undergraduate education.

Thanks to a low student-to-faculty ratio and a unique residential college system, you'll find a tight-knit community at Rice. Undergrads join one of 11 residential colleges when they come to Rice. The system creates strong bonds between students throughout their time at the university.

Rice reports an annual tuition rate of around $57,000, with the average first-year aid package slightly exceeding tuition. Thanks to Rice's online programs, you can also earn a master's in computer science, data science, engineering management, or business administration without visiting campus.

At over 5,000 acres, the main campus at Texas A&M University is more than enough space for its nearly 75,000 students. In fact, it's the biggest college in Texas by enrollment and campus size. 

College Station's public university dates back to 1876. Today, Texas A&M has a reputation for affordability, quality, and athletic dominance. You can choose from over 140 undergraduate majors and more than 270 graduate programs. Tuition and fees for in-state learners are around $11,550 per year, and over 70% of Aggies receive some form of financial aid.

Study abroad or learn in Dallas as a Southern Methodist University student. This private Texas college enrolls over 12,000 students from around the world. You can gain research experience, develop leadership skills, and give back to your community while earning your degree. 

Nestled on 234 acres a few miles from downtown Dallas, SMU's campus offers a close-knit community in a major city. 

Choose from eight schools dedicated to the humanities, sciences, business, engineering, and more. While tuition and fees are nearly $62,000 per year, around three in four students receive scholarships and financial aid. A similar percentage graduate with no student debt. 

Trinity University operates as one of Texas' top-ranked liberal arts schools, welcoming 2,500 students to its campus in San Antonio. The university prioritizes the student experience, boasting an inclusive environment that inspires curiosity and thoughtfulness. The private university's core curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking and discovery. 

On a campus filled with oak trees, fountains, and red brick buildings, you can choose from nearly 60 majors. Trinity charges around $51,000 per year in tuition and fees. Scholarships and financial aid help many students cover their educational costs. Over half of Trinity students graduate with no debt.

Are you considering private Texas colleges? Texas Christian University ranks as one of the best in the state. From its Fort Worth campus, this Christian college offers over 110 undergraduate areas of study and nearly 100 graduate programs. TCU also boasts a tree-lined campus and a unique mascot: the horned frog.

Within six months of graduation, 93% of alumni are either employed or in grad school. 

You can apply to TCU through a test-optional admission process where the university uses transcripts, an essay, and counselor and teacher evaluations to admit first-year students. Many students qualify for financial aid to help cover the $57,000 per year tuition rate.

More than 40,000 students enroll at Lubbock's public research university, choosing Texas Tech University for its academic excellence and affordability. Plus, the campus's Spanish Renaissance architecture makes Texas Tech stand out.

In its 150 undergraduate offerings and 100 master's programs, Texas Tech encourages both intellectual and personal development. Texas residents can expect to pay under $12,000 per year for undergrad tuition, while graduate tuition is around $9,500. 

First-generation students, students of color, and students from other historically underrepresented groups can receive targeted support through school programs and services. Additionally, Texas Tech is a federally recognized Hispanic-serving institution.

Ready to put your commitment to service into practice? Sam Houston State University operates with the motto, "The Measure of a Life Is Its Service." At this public university in Huntsville, you can join over 21,000 students committed to global awareness and community engagement. 

Want to earn your degree online? The online bachelor's programs at SHSU include majors like business, criminal justice, health science, nursing, communication, and psychology. Or choose from over 170 fields of study offered on the university's three campuses. 

And there's good news if cost is a top priority. SHSU's affordable undergraduate tuition rate of $244 per credit applies to Texas residents and out-of-state students taking classes online.

If a small-town, liberal arts college with easy access to Austin's big-city culture sounds appealing, then Southwestern University might be a good fit. Located in Georgetown, the private college boasts a scenic campus located only 30 miles north of downtown Austin. 

At Southwestern, you can develop your intellectual curiosity and originality while taking interdisciplinary courses. And you'll be joining a small learning community of about 1,500 students. 

The application process focuses on a holistic review that does not require ACT or SAT scores. You can expect to spend around $50,000 per year in tuition and fees, with opportunities for financial aid.

Still trying to figure out your major? The University of Houston hosts over 275 degree-granting programs. You can join more than 46,000 students attending UH on campus or enroll in one of the school's many online programs. With over 1,250 online courses offered each year, along with more than 50 online graduate programs, you can attend a top-ranked Texas college even if you live in another state.

UH ranks as the largest college in Texas' most-populous city. The public institution is also one of the most diverse major research universities in the country. One in three students identify as Hispanic, and international students make up nearly 10% of the student body. 

How much does it cost to attend UH? With the school's fixed tuition rate plan, several of the university's colleges charge less than $6,000 per term.