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Top Colleges in Texas

Written by Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman

Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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Updated: December 6th, 2023

Millions of students attend college in Texas every year, and for good reason. The Lone Star State is home to many renowned and affordable institutions. In-state students can enjoy discounted tuition at schools like UT-Austin and Texas A&M. Rice University is a great private option in Houston that attracts students from all over the country. Find the right Texas college for you below.

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46 colleges
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Top College Top College
Top College Top College: Affordability

Rice University

Houston, TX • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

Houston, TX

Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

9% acceptance rate
4,240 undergraduate students
92% graduation rate
$17,805 average per year after aid
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Top College Top College
Top College Top College: Affordability

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Public, City

Austin, TX

Public, City

29% acceptance rate
40,506 undergraduate students
88% graduation rate
$17,519 average per year after aid
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Top College Top College
Top College Top College: Affordability

Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station, TX • Public, City

College Station, TX

Public, City

64% acceptance rate
56,006 undergraduate students
83% graduation rate
$20,976 average per year after aid
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Trinity University

San Antonio, TX • Private, Non-Profit, City

San Antonio, TX

Private, Non-Profit, City

34% acceptance rate
2,509 undergraduate students
80% graduation rate
$18,637 average per year after aid
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Top College Top College: Affordability

The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, TX • Public, City

Richardson, TX

Public, City

87% acceptance rate
21,416 undergraduate students
72% graduation rate
$17,033 average per year after aid
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Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

Dallas, TX

Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

53% acceptance rate
6,894 undergraduate students
82% graduation rate
$40,452 average per year after aid
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Southwestern University

Georgetown, TX • Private, Non-Profit, City

Georgetown, TX

Private, Non-Profit, City

51% acceptance rate
1,500 undergraduate students
74% graduation rate
$25,451 average per year after aid
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Top College Top College: Affordability

University of Houston

Houston, TX • Public, City

Houston, TX

Public, City

66% acceptance rate
37,553 undergraduate students
62% graduation rate
$13,798 average per year after aid
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Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX • Public, City

Lubbock, TX

Public, City

68% acceptance rate
32,414 undergraduate students
63% graduation rate
$17,313 average per year after aid
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University of North Texas

Denton, TX • Public, City

Denton, TX

Public, City

81% acceptance rate
32,590 undergraduate students
60% graduation rate
$12,006 average per year after aid
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Baylor University

Waco, TX • Private, Non-Profit, City

Waco, TX

Private, Non-Profit, City

57% acceptance rate
15,102 undergraduate students
82% graduation rate
$37,248 average per year after aid
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Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX • Private, Non-Profit, City

Fort Worth, TX

Private, Non-Profit, City

54% acceptance rate
10,215 undergraduate students
83% graduation rate
$39,155 average per year after aid
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Saint Edward's University

Austin, TX • Private, Non-Profit, City

Austin, TX

Private, Non-Profit, City

92% acceptance rate
2,867 undergraduate students
66% graduation rate
$21,232 average per year after aid
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University of St Thomas

Houston, TX • Private, Non-Profit, City

Houston, TX

Private, Non-Profit, City

98% acceptance rate
2,603 undergraduate students
62% graduation rate
$18,241 average per year after aid
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St. Mary's University

San Antonio, TX • Private, Non-Profit, City

San Antonio, TX

Private, Non-Profit, City

88% acceptance rate
2,083 undergraduate students
59% graduation rate
$17,120 average per year after aid
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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX • Public, City

Edinburg, TX

Public, City

94% acceptance rate
26,402 undergraduate students
51% graduation rate
$5,363 average per year after aid
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Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX • Public, Town

Huntsville, TX

Public, Town

97% acceptance rate
18,288 undergraduate students
57% graduation rate
$15,446 average per year after aid
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Texas A & M International University

Laredo, TX • Public, City

Laredo, TX

Public, City

54% acceptance rate
6,352 undergraduate students
49% graduation rate
$4,667 average per year after aid
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The University of Texas at San Antonio

San Antonio, TX • Public, City

San Antonio, TX

Public, City

91% acceptance rate
29,151 undergraduate students
51% graduation rate
$10,489 average per year after aid
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Texas State University

San Marcos, TX • Public, City

San Marcos, TX

Public, City

70% acceptance rate
33,175 undergraduate students
57% graduation rate
$17,033 average per year after aid
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About the Data

We sort colleges on our lists according to their Scholarships360 Top Colleges Index Score. This score is calculated using up-to-date information taken directly from the College Scorecard. Additional information is sourced from the colleges themselves, as well as other publicly available information. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

State Grants in Texas

Most states offer their own state-wide grants to help residents obtain an affordable education. Here are some of the most prominent state-wide grants in Texas:

TEXAS Grant

The TEXAS Grant offers funding for Texas students with financial need who are attending public institutions or healthcare-related programs in the state. Award amounts vary by year, but in 2023 they were approximately $5,000 per year.

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program

The TEOG offers funding for Texas students with financial need who are attending public two-year community colleges, public technical colleges or public state colleges in the state. 

Texas Tuition Reciprocity Agreements

Texas is not part of any major tuition reciprocity program, but they do have a bordering states waiver that allows students at select institutions in bordering states to receive in-state tuition at select Texas universities. To see if you qualify, you can reach out to the school you are interested in attending.

Texas Tuition Promise Fund

The Texas Tuition Promise Fund is an exciting program for parents who are planning ahead for their child’s education. This fund allows parents to lock in current tuition rates and fees by saving money for their child long before they attend college.

Higher education becomes more and more expensive every year, so buying tuition units ahead-of-time can end up providing substantial savings down the line. If you are a parent planning ahead for school, be sure to investigate this program as an option.

Other college lists to explore

Frequently asked questions

What is the hardest Texas college to get into?

Rice University has the lowest acceptance rate in the state of Texas, with 9% of students admitted in 2023. However, college admissions vary on a student-by-student basis. Many applicants will find themselves rejected from some schools and accepted by schools with an even lower admissions rate. If you are interested in a school, be sure to apply to see whether your application catches the eye of an admissions officer. 

Why should I study in Texas?

Texas is a great state for college for many reasons. They are home to a strong public school system; University of Texas at Austin is one of the country’s best public schools. Additionally, for Texas residents, any public school in the state will be a great deal due to in-state tuition.



Texas is also an economic powerhouse. This offers opportunities for employment, internships, and more. It’s also a state with a very rich set of cultures, and many students will enjoy experiencing all the Lone Star State has to offer.

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