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Urban Colleges in Texas

50 schools in Texas. See our methodology.

Rice University's 8.68% acceptance rate stands among the most selective in the nation, yet it offers one of the lowest net prices at $12,640 for students who gain admission to this Houston institution. The state's 174 urban colleges create a pricing spectrum from Texas A&M International's $3,061 net cost to Baylor's $41,942, reflecting Texas's commitment to accessible higher education through programs like the TEXAS Grant. Urban campuses connect directly to the state's second-largest healthcare workforce, with Houston's Texas Medical Center providing internships and career paths for graduates. The University of Texas at Austin demonstrates this connection with 42,100 students and $75,121 median earnings, while specialized programs like Galen College of Nursing produce graduates earning $61,480 in a state where major employers including HCA and Baylor Scott & White actively recruit. Graduation rates span from 33.3% to 100%, with smaller specialized schools often achieving higher completion rates than large research universities.
50
Schools
$16,217
Avg. Net Price
$50,995
Avg. Earnings
56.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Urban Colleges in Texas

College listings
# School Setting Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 City-Large 42,100 $19,678 87.6%
2 City-Large 4,562 $12,640 95.7%
3 City-Midsize 59,099 $20,924 83.8%
4 City-Large 3,206 $29,824 68.1%
5 City-Large 2,518 $23,650 81.9%
6 City-Large 37,175 $13,853 64.9%
7 City-Large 32,446 $20,071 67.5%
8 City-Midsize 21,317 $17,435 70.8%
9 City-Large 494 $25,491 71.8%
10 City-Large 26 33.3%
11 City-Large 482 $16,267 60.0%
12 City-Large 6,502 $3,061 48.9%
13 City-Large 41 $19,158 100.0%
14 City-Midsize 6,082 $11,056 50.9%
15 City-Midsize 15,007 $41,942 80.2%
16 City-Large 10,919 $33,531 85.6%
17 City-Large 30,834 $15,235 56.5%
18 City-Midsize 33,680 $14,352 59.6%
19 City-Midsize 1,014 $25,957
20 City-Small 1,510 $25,314 61.1%
21 City-Large 1,817 $17,803 65.7%
22 City-Large 102 $26,359 93.1%
23 City-Small 1,125 $23,451 69.5%
24 City-Large 13,872 $4,546 36.8%
25 City-Large 382 $42,938 54.5%
26 City-Small 34,547 $16,438 56.2%
27 City-Midsize 23,071 $7,540 34.4%
28 City-Large 41,815 $4,146 35.5%
29 City-Large 29,675 $11,234 51.2%
30 City-Small 1,454 $27,468 69.3%
31 City-Midsize 4,997 $6,185 35.3%
32 City-Midsize 7,347 $6,040 30.7%
33 City-Large 334 $26,470 57.7%
34 City-Large 10,772 $4,873 34.5%
35 City-Midsize 9,153 $10,280 37.5%
36 City-Small 1,609 $7,236 36.2%
37 City-Large 7,723 $4,374 34.0%
38 City-Large 4
39 City-Midsize 4,176 $9,296 27.9%
40 City-Small 1,524 $8,127 32.4%
41 City-Large 40,214 $6,073 25.6%
42 City-Large 63 $17,372 88.1%
43 City-Small 3,342 $1,975 28.3%
44 City-Large 190 $16,179 60.0%
45 City-Small 1,455 $4,887 30.2%
46 City-Midsize 3,453 $5,458 26.8%
47 City-Large 124 $18,264 45.5%
48 City-Small 2,385 $4,550 24.8%
49 City-Large 1,403 $25,470 68.0%
50 City-Large 1,661 $23,939 68.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Rice University stand out among Texas urban colleges?

Rice University combines extreme selectivity with affordability, accepting just 8.68% of applicants while maintaining a net price of $12,640. The Houston-based university achieves a 95.70% graduation rate and produces graduates with median earnings of $89,718, making it both academically rigorous and financially rewarding for students who gain admission.

How do net prices vary among Texas urban colleges?

Net prices range dramatically from $3,061 at Texas A&M International University to $41,942 at Baylor University. Public institutions like UT Austin ($19,678) and Texas Tech ($20,071) cluster around $20,000, while private colleges show wider variation. The TEXAS Grant helps make these urban campuses accessible to state residents.

Is there a connection between school size and graduation rates?

Large universities show mixed results, with UT Austin achieving 87.60% graduation rates among 42,100 students, while Texas A&M College Station graduates 83.80% of its 59,099 students. Smaller specialized schools like Houston International College reach 100% graduation rates with just 41 students, suggesting more personalized attention aids completion.

Does location within Texas affect career outcomes?

Houston-area schools benefit from the Texas Medical Center and major healthcare employers like HCA. Rice University graduates earn $89,718 median income, while University of Houston graduates earn $62,377. Austin's UT students earn $75,121, reflecting the city's tech sector growth and state government opportunities.

What acceptance rates should students expect at Texas urban colleges?

Acceptance rates span from Rice University's highly selective 8.68% to numerous schools with 100% acceptance. Major public universities like UT Dallas (84.74%) and Texas Tech (67.34%) admit most qualified applicants, while UT Austin's 31.35% rate reflects its flagship status and national reputation.

How do specialized programs perform compared to traditional universities?

Specialized schools often achieve higher graduation rates but varying earnings. Galen College of Nursing graduates 68.10% of students earning $61,480, while Parker University achieves 71.80% graduation with $42,091 earnings. These focused programs serve specific workforce needs in Texas's growing healthcare sector.

Related

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.