Hispanic Serving Institutions in Texas

Discover more about Hispanic-serving institutions in Texas and what these diverse universities or colleges can offer you as a student.
Nalea Ko
By
Edited by
Updated January 25, 2024
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  • TAMIU offers the most affordable education among Hispanic-serving institutions in Texas.
  • After California, Texas has the most Hispanic-serving institutions in the U.S.
  • Support resources at Hispanic-serving institutions help Hispanic and Latino/a students succeed in college.
  • Some 64 Hispanic-serving institutions call Texas home.

The Lone Star State boasts the second-largest concentration of Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) after California. To get recognized by the United States Department of Education (ED) as an HSI, a college needs a Hispanic undergraduate enrollment of at least 25%.

There are 359 HSIs in the U.S., according to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Hispanic and Latino/a students can receive increased support at HSIs, which can lead to higher graduation rates.

Considering attending an HSI? Discover everything you need to know about Hispanic-serving institutions in Texas in this comprehensive breakdown. And learn how much the cheapest HSIs in Texas cost.

List of All Hispanic Serving Institutions in Texas

We’ve created a complete list of all four-year nonprofit HSIs in Texas. You can use the table below to compare data on student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.

The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Institutions with fewer than 500 undergraduates were not included in this list.

4-Year Hispanic Serving Institutions in Texas
SchoolTotal Student EnrollmentTotal Hispanic EnrollmentAvg. Annual Net PriceAcceptance RateNumber of Applicants
Concordia University Texas1,86333%$24,76186%1,886
Hallmark University87646%$12,28153%329
Houston Baptist University4,25732%$19,51584%10,258
Our Lady of the Lake University2,32666%$19,100100%N/A
Sam Houston State University21,48026%$13,63285%16,316
Southwestern Adventist University79347%$20,02854%1,438
Southwestern University1,48325%$31,01445%5,557
St. Edward’s University3,47046%$27,19385%6,015
St. Mary’s University3,25360%$21,37986%5,369
Sul Ross State University1,98775%$13,13097%717
Texas A&M International University8,50592%$5,38348%7,848
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi10,77862%$15,18188%8,421
Texas A&M University-Kingsville6,09269%$11,34797%5,768
Texas A&M University-San Antonio7,30977%$11,04396%9,110
Texas Lutheran University1,36942%$21,44292%1,835
Texas State University38,17140%$14,12088%28,908
Texas Tech University40,37827%$17,89667%35,400
Texas Woman’s University15,95828%$11,68294%7,286
The University of Texas at Arlington43,94636%$14,26281%21,963
The University of Texas at Austin52,38428%$17,43431%60,055
The University of Texas at El Paso23,88084%$9,563100%10,493
The University of Texas at San Antonio34,39358%$12,66487%23,295
The University of Texas Permian Basin5,84849%$10,37095%1,475
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley31,55991%$8,10588%13,744
Trinity University2,69226%$30,03831%11,463
University of Houston46,70034%$14,05666%29,783
University of North Texas44,76726%$15,28379%32,016
University of North Texas at Dallas3,68541%$13,55585%21,500
University of the Incarnate Word7,30554%$20,83294%9,625
West Texas A&M University9,24230%$17,00192%4,695

How Much Do Colleges in Texas Cost?

Texas charges $1,359 less than the national average for in-state tuition at public four-year colleges. According to the NCES, four-year Texas public institutions charged in-state students $8,016 in 2020-2021. Even going to college as a non-resident in Texas costs less than the national average for out-of-state students.

Out-of-state students paid an average of $27,091 nationally in 2020-2021, whereas Texas out-of-state students paid $25,471.

Cost Of College In Texas 2020-2021
Institution TypeAvg. Tuition And Required Fees
Public 4-Year (In-State)$8,016
Public 4-Year (Out-of-State)$25,471
Private 4-Year$37,450
Public 2-Year (In-State)$2,828
Public 2-Year (Out-of-State$7,764
Source: NCES

Most Affordable HSIs in Texas

In the 2019-2020 school year, Texas boasted a college enrollment of 1.7 million students, with 39.2% of students identifying as Latino/a. There are 64 Hispanic-serving institutions in Texas. Of the HSIs in Texas, the following five colleges stand out as the most affordable schools.

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
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How We Rank Schools

#1

Texas A&M International University

  • Laredo, TX
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Located on a 300-acre campus in Laredo, Texas, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU)  ranks as the cheapest Hispanic-serving institution in Texas, with an average annual net price of $5,383. The 1970-founded college educates some 8,505 students, with a 48% Hispanic enrollment, who can choose from 100 programs and more than 100 student organizations. TAMIU earned HSI designation in 2021. 

62%

Online Enrollment

$ 3,818

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

74%

Retention Rate

$13,610

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
54%
Students Enrolled
8,455
Institution Type
Public
#2

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

  • Edinburg, TX
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), a public university established in 2013, features one of the largest Latino/a student populations in Texas, with a total Hispanic enrollment of 91%. This large university maintains a student body of 31,559 and has one of the most affordable tuition rates in Texas. Students pay an average annual net price of $8,105. UTRGV's schools and colleges offer more than 125 undergraduate and graduate programs.

78%

Online Enrollment

$ 7,857

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

72%

Retention Rate

$17,649

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
94%
Students Enrolled
31,940
Institution Type
Public
#3

The University of Texas at El Paso

  • El Paso, TX
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), established in 1913, has eight colleges and schools on a 414-acre campus. This public university offers 74 bachelor's, 70 master's, and 24 doctoral degrees. UTEP's inclusive admission process means that the school accepts 100% of applicants. Some 24,000 students attend UTEP. Students pay an average annual net price of $9,563.

62%

Online Enrollment

$ 7,704

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

70%

Retention Rate

$23,112

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
100%
Students Enrolled
24,003
Institution Type
Public
#4

The University of Texas Permian Basin

  • Odessa, TX
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Founded in 1969, The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) hosts five colleges that offer more than 75 undergraduate and graduate degrees. You can also choose from 41 online bachelor's and master's degrees and certificates. This public college awarded $49.8 million in financial aid to students. ​​With an average annual net price of $10,370, UTPB ranks as the fourth cheapest Hispanic-serving institution in Texas.

81%

Online Enrollment

$ 6,577

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

67%

Retention Rate

$18,817

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
65%
Students Enrolled
5,534
Institution Type
Public
#5

Texas A&M University-San Antonio

  • San Antonio, TX
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Established as an independent university in 2009, Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-SA) offers 62 affordable undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students at this public university pay an average annual net price of $11,043. According to A&M-SA, around 98% of students receive financial aid. And 58% of A&M-SA's student population identifies as Hispanic. A&M-SA received the HSI in 2017.

40%

Online Enrollment

$ 4,708

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

67%

Retention Rate

$18,364

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
73%
Students Enrolled
6,893
Institution Type
Public

Benefits of Attending an HSI in Texas

What are HSIs? Much like minority-serving institutions, HSIs aim to make higher education more equitable for Hispanic and Latino/a students. HSIs first received federal funding in 1995. Today, roughly 2.094 million Hispanic students attend HSIs across the country. Hispanic-serving institutions in Texas offer additional benefits that include:

  • Providing an overall positive college experience
  • Granting funding and research opportunities to support Hispanic students
  • A more diverse student body
  • An inclusive campus life
  • A greater graduation outcomes for Latinos/as
  • Affordable tuition
  • Hispanic student clubs and organizations

These colleges and universities qualify for additional federal aid to increase educational outcomes for Hispanic students and boost the number of Hispanic students in STEM majors.

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