Best Colleges in Texas 2026

Texas offers outstanding higher education options across 78 qualifying institutions, with a strong mix of public and private schools dominating the rankings. The top five includes three public universities and two private institutions, reflecting the state's commitment to accessible quality education alongside specialized private programs. Leading schools excel in research output, student outcomes, and academic rigor, with The University of Texas at Austin and Rice University setting particularly high standards. When evaluating Texas colleges, students should examine graduation rates, faculty-to-student ratios, career placement statistics, and program strength in their intended field of study. The diverse range of top-performing institutions means Texas students can find excellent matches regardless of their academic interests or career goals.

Schools Ranked

$57,420

Avg. Earnings

67.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Graduation Rate	Median Earnings	Acceptance Rate	In-State Tuition
1	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas	87.6%	$75,121	31.4%	$11,678
2	Rice University Houston, Texas	95.7%	$89,718	8.7%	$58,128
3	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	83.8%	$72,097	62.7%	$13,099
4	Southwest College for the Deaf Big Spring, Texas	80.0%	$38,382		$2,766
5	Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio San Antonio, Texas	68.1%	$61,480		$16,400
6	Trinity University San Antonio, Texas	81.9%	$71,668	30.5%	$51,352
7	University of Houston Houston, Texas	64.9%	$62,377	66.2%	$9,711
8	Texas Tech University Lubbock, Texas	67.5%	$62,454	67.3%	$11,852
9	The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, Texas	70.8%	$68,227	84.7%	$14,564
10	Western Texas College Snyder, Texas	58.5%	$42,508		$3,240
11	Clarendon College Clarendon, Texas	60.6%	$38,696		$3,720
12	Parker University Dallas, Texas	71.8%	$42,091		$17,457
13	Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas	83.3%	$78,354	52.3%	$64,460
14	DeVry University-Texas Irving, Texas	33.3%	$45,987	0.0%	$17,488
15	College of Biblical Studies-Houston Houston, Texas	60.0%	$39,260		$7,475
16	Texas A & M International University Laredo, Texas	48.9%	$48,386	47.9%	$7,846
17	Houston International College Cardiotech Ultrasound School Houston, Texas	100.0%	$36,432	100.0%	$11,978
18	University of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, Texas	50.9%	$59,004	69.4%	$7,746
19	Baylor University Waco, Texas	80.2%	$65,793	45.9%	$54,844
20	Texas Christian University Fort Worth, Texas	85.6%	$68,424	56.1%	$57,220
21	The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, Texas	56.5%	$63,199	80.8%	$11,728
22	University of North Texas Denton, Texas	59.6%	$57,010	79.1%	$11,164
23	Brazosport College Lake Jackson, Texas	38.7%	$45,910		$2,388
24	LeTourneau University Longview, Texas	61.1%	$57,103	48.8%	$35,500
25	North Central Texas College Gainesville, Texas	34.6%	$45,809		$2,520