Best Colleges in Texas 2026

Texas has 256 colleges and universities in our database; 205 report the graduation-rate data our ranking requires. The top 25 are ranked below by a fixed four-factor formula: 6-year graduation rate (30%), median earnings 10 years after entry (30%), admission selectivity (20%), and in-state tuition affordability (20%).

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