Best Colleges in Texas – Introduction
Are you looking for the best colleges in Texas?
The answer to “what are the best colleges in Texas” will be different for every student. With so many schools out there, it can be hard to find the best university in Texas for you. Before you start looking at top colleges in Texas, consider how certain attributes will influence your decision-making process. For many students, location is often a key factor in the college search. Whether you live in Texas and want to attend college in-state or want to move out-of-state to a fast-growing city like Austin, this guide will help you find the best colleges in Texas for you.
We’ll cover everything you need to know about the best universities in Texas, including:
- Texas college rankings
- How many colleges are in Texas
- Top colleges in Texas
- Acceptance rates at the best colleges in Texas
- The best private and public colleges in Texas
- Best universities in Texas by major (including the best colleges in Texas for pre-med, business, and psychology)
- The Texas top ten percent scholarship, and more.
How many colleges are in Texas?
There are many top universities in Texas. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are 239 colleges in Texas. The best colleges in Texas can be broken out into three categories: public, non-profit private, and for-profit private.
In Texas, there are:
- 102 public colleges in Texas
- 73 non-profit private colleges in Texas
- 64 for-profit private colleges in Texas
With hundreds of schools, Texas provides a range of diverse universities for students looking to earn their degrees. Each of the top universities in Texas has its own unique combination of college location, college size, and campus culture.
As you look for the best colleges in TX for you, think about your needs. Do you want to attend a large, urban university? Or would you prefer a smaller college setting where you know all your classmates? The top colleges in Texas vary widely, so you’ll have plenty of options as you search for the best colleges in Texas for you.
Find your fit at the best colleges in Texas
So, what are the best colleges in Texas like? Some of the top colleges in Texas are large, public universities while others are smaller, private colleges. When looking at the best colleges in TX, it is important to note that many private colleges in Texas have religious elements that influence the culture and values of the institution, though many others do not. No matter what your background is, the best universities in Texas have something to offer everyone.
In addition to providing students with different experiences on campus, the best colleges in Texas are located in a variety of cities and college towns. So, at each of the best colleges in TX, you’ll have a vastly different experience. Each college setting is unique and will impact the kinds of experiences, people, and opportunities you will encounter once you leave campus. For example, a more urban school like UT Austin will feel vastly different from a more rural college like UT El Paso. For a school that has a little of both, students looking for the best colleges in Texas may be interested in a school like Baylor, located in the slightly smaller city of Waco.
No matter what kind of campus culture you are looking for, the best colleges in Texas give students plenty of options.
What are the best colleges in Texas?
There are many different lists students can access online to find the top colleges in Texas. The three best colleges in Texas according to US News college rankings are:
#1- Rice University
With an A+ in academics, campus, diversity, and value, Rice is one of CollegeAdvisor’s top universities in Texas. It is one of the best Texas universities because of its smaller class sizes, strong financial aid program, 6 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and residential college system.
#2- University of Texas at Austin
One of the best colleges in Texas is also one of the biggest. As part of the University of Texas System, UT Austin is the flagship school of some of the best colleges in TX—namely, the UT system. Students can choose from over 170 fields of study, many research opportunities, and 1000+ student groups, including the largest student-run newspaper in the country.
#3- Texas A&M University
Texas A&M is considered one of the best colleges in TX for all students regardless of their background. As one of the best universities in Texas, Texas A&M was one of the first public higher education institutes in the state. And with over 133 undergraduate degrees, the study options are endless.
As you will notice, some of the best colleges in Texas are public, while others are private. Rice and Southern Methodist University (#4 on the best colleges in Texas list) are among the best private colleges in Texas. They are both smaller universities located in the major cities of Austin and Dallas. Each of these top Texas colleges will offer students a small school community while providing access to a vibrant city.
However, public universities also rank among the best colleges in Texas. UT Austin, a much larger university, is the best college in Texas of the 13 UT higher education institutions. Texas A&M is also another large, public research university that ranks high on the list.
There are many features that make these top Texas colleges the best in the state. While any of the best Texas universities are guaranteed to have strong academic programs, they also offer so much more. All three of these schools are considered the top universities in Texas for their expansive academic offerings, plentiful research opportunities, and engaging campus culture.
Keep in mind that the best universities in Texas aren’t limited to the top 3. In the next section, we’ll broaden our scope and list the top 10 best colleges in Texas.
What are the top 10 schools in Texas?
According to US News college rankings, these are the top 10 best colleges in Texas:
- Rice University
- University of Texas at Austin
- Southern Methodist University
- Texas A&M University
- Baylor University
- Texas Christian University
- The University of Texas at Dallas
- University of Houston
- Texas Tech University
- Sam Houston State University
Top Ten Schools in Texas
#1. Rice University quick facts:
- College location: Houston, TX
- College setting: Urban
- College size: 300 acres
- Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,247
According to US News, Rice is the best college in Texas. The Rice University ranking among National Universities is #15. Rice is one of the best universities in Texas, so it is no surprise it is also high on other college lists. It is also ranked #6 in Best Value Schools and #16 in Most Innovative Schools.
#2. University of Texas at Austin quick facts:
- College location: Austin, TX
- College setting: urban
- College size: 437 acres
- Total undergraduate enrollment: 40,916
UT Austin is next on our list of best Texas colleges. The University of Texas ranking among National Universities is #38. UT Austin is also #10 in Top Public Schools and #9 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.
#3.Texas A&M University quick facts:
- College location: College Station, TX
- College setting: urban
- College size: 5,200 acres
- Total undergraduate enrollment: 56,723
The Texas A&M ranking among National Universities is #67. Texas A&M is also #26 in Top Public Schools and #10 in Aerospace Engineering, earning its rank among the top colleges in Texas. As one of the top universities in Texas, it attracts students from all backgrounds.
#4.Southern Methodist University quick facts:
- College location: Dallas, TX
- College setting: urban
- College size: 234 acres
- Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,908
The next best college in Texas is Southern Methodist University. The Southern Methodist University ranking among National Universities is #72. SMU is also #104 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs and #192 in Best Value Schools.
#5.Baylor University quick facts:
- College location: Waco, TX
- College setting: urban
- College size: 1,000 acres
- Total undergraduate enrollment: 15,191
Baylor is the next best college in Texas. The Baylor ranking among National Universities is #77. Baylor is also #20 in Most Innovative Schools and #10 in First-Year Experiences. Baylor is considered one of the best universities in Texas because of its small size and top-ranked programs across a variety of fields.
#6.Texas Christian University quick facts:
- College location: Fort Worth, TX
- College setting: suburban
- College size: 302 acres
- Total undergraduate enrollment: 9,704
The Texas Christian ranking among National Universities is #89. TCU is also #110 in Best Value Schools and #49 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs. As one of the best universities in Texas, TCU emphasizes school pride and has excellent athletic programs.
#7.The University of Texas at Dallas quick facts:
- College location: Richardson, TX
- College setting: suburban
- College size: 500 acres
- Total undergraduate enrollment: 21,445
The University of Texas ranking among National Universities is #151. UT Dallas is also #72 in Top Public Schools and #75 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs. It’s no surprise that another one of the best universities in Texas is part of the UT system.
#8.The University of Houston quick facts:
- College location: Houston, TX
- College setting: urban
- College size: 895 acres
- Total undergraduate enrollment: 38,581
The next best university in Texas is in Houston. The University of Houston ranking among National Universities is #182. University of Houston is also #45 in Top Performers on Social Mobility and #124 in Best Value Schools. UT Houston’s vast resources and urban location make this school one of the top universities in Texas.
#9.Texas Tech University quick facts:
- College location: Lubbock, TX
- College setting: urban
- College size: 1,839 acres
- Total undergraduate enrollment: 33,2132
Texas Tech University is next on our list of top universities in Texas. The Texas Tech ranking among National Universities is #219. As one of the best colleges in TX, Texas Tech is also #94 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs and #112 in Top Public Schools.
#10.Abilene Christian University quick facts:
- College location: Abilene, TX
- College setting: city
- College size: 272 acres
- Total undergraduate enrollment: 3,560
We round out our list of top colleges in Texas with a small, Christian school in Abilene, TX. The Abilene Christian University ranking among National Universities is #250. It is also #35 in Study Abroad and #5 in Service Learning.
More resources for Texas College rankings
Ranked college lists, like U.S. News’s Best Colleges or Forbes’ Top Colleges, can be a good resource to help students learn more about top universities in Texas. However, remember that they don’t tell you everything. Each of these rankings uses different metrics, and some of their considerations may not be as relevant to you. No list will tell you what is the best Texas college for you. Finding the best university in Texas will require you to decide what is important for you in a college. If you’re interested in one of the top colleges in Texas, make sure you look past Texas college rankings and do your research!
Once you’ve conducted some initial research on the best universities in Texas, the next step for many students is to see the colleges in person. College visits can help solidify your opinion about the best colleges in Texas. While not every student can afford to visit every school they apply to, visiting the schools you’ve been accepted to can help you make your decision when it comes time for college enrollment. If you’re not sure where to visit first, use our best colleges in Texas map to help you plan your visits to all of the top universities in Texas.
Colleges in Texas map
The best Texas universities are located all across the state. College location is an important factor to consider when determining the best college in Texas for you. To help you understand where all these schools are located, including the best colleges in Dallas, Houston, and Austin, here is our Best Colleges in Texas Map.
The top 10 best colleges in Texas are located in vastly different cities and have a lot of variety in their programs and offerings. Six of the top colleges in Texas are located in the state’s most populous cities: Austin, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth.