Best colleges in Texas

Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

Best colleges in Texas

Group of college students studying around a table.

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions a person will make for their education, impacting everything from future earnings and employment to potential student loan debt and social circles.

While every student wants to get the best education they possibly can, there are myriad considerations to take into account: location, size, diversity, areas of focus, study abroad opportunities—the list goes on.

While best college lists are often topped with the same handful of expensive Ivy League schools, the U.S. is home to more than 4,000 degree-granting schools spread out across all 50 states and several territories, with amazing education offerings for students to consider.

Stacker compiled a list of the best four-year colleges in Texas using rankings from Niche. Tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, acceptance rate, and graduation rate are among the factors considered in deciding these rankings. Location is also often a key factor in a school’s appeal, whether it be a beachside location, one full of New England foliage, or proximity to tech hubs and companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Google. Online and unspecified location schools were excluded from the rankings.

Keep reading to see the best schools in your state.

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#10. Baylor University

A group of college students having a discussion under a tree on campus.

– Location: Waco, TX
– Acceptance rate: 57%
– Net price: $46,039
– SAT range: 1160-1350
– Niche grade:  A-

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#9. University of Texas – Permian Basin

A student wearing a backpack holding two books as they walk to a college class.

– Location: Odessa, TX
– Acceptance rate: 65%
– Net price: $9,447
– SAT range: 920-1140
– Niche grade:  A-

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#8. University of Houston

College students laughing and having fun at a tailgate party.

– Location: Houston, TX
– Acceptance rate: 66%
– Net price: $14,339
– SAT range: 1140-1330
– Niche grade:  A-

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#7. Texas Tech University

Bookshelves forming a hallway in a college library.

– Location: Lubbock, TX
– Acceptance rate: 68%
– Net price: $17,057
– SAT range: 1110-1280
– Niche grade:  A

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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#6. Texas Christian University

A student taking notes in a library.

– Location: Fort Worth, TX
– Acceptance rate: 54%
– Net price: $42,574
– SAT range: 1130-1350
– Niche grade:  A

You may also like: Best counties to live in Texas

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#5. Southern Methodist University

An empty college dorm room with bunkbeds.

– Location: Dallas, TX
– Acceptance rate: 53%
– Net price: $41,986
– SAT range: 1340-1510
– Niche grade:  A

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#4. Trinity University

A college professor giving a lecture.

– Location: San Antonio, TX
– Acceptance rate: 34%
– Net price: $27,356
– SAT range: 1280-1440
– Niche grade:  A

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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#3. Texas A&M University

A group of college students working together on a group project in a library.

– Location: College Station, TX
– Acceptance rate: 64%
– Net price: $22,253
– SAT range: 1140-1380
– Niche grade:  A+

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#2. University of Texas – Austin

An empty college classroom.

– Location: Austin, TX
– Acceptance rate: 29%
– Net price: $16,589
– SAT range: 1230-1500
– Niche grade:  A+

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#1. Rice University

A group of college students working on their laptops.

– Location: Houston, TX
– Acceptance rate: 9%
– Net price: $18,521
– SAT range: 1490-1570
– Niche grade:  A+

You may also like: Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Texas

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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