by our College Data Analytics TeamRice University ranks #1 of 329 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Colleges in Texas ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 69% six-year graduation rate and $92,815 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Texas, narrowing things down is no easy task. Our ranking highlights **329** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 329 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
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Rice University leads the 329 ranked colleges in Texas, followed by The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston (#2) and The University Of Texas At Austin (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 college in Texas. This private not-for-profit school is set in Houston, TX. Rice University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. Rice University graduates report median early-career earnings of $75,299. The median student debt is $11,904.
The strong outcomes at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston earned it the #2 place in Texas. This public school is set in Houston, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,748, with out-of-state students paying around $43,132. Median early-career earnings reach $101,165. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 329 colleges in Texas in this year's ranking, The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #3 spot. Located in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. The median student debt is $21,275.
Out of the 329 colleges in Texas in this year's ranking, The University Of Texas Medical Branch landed the #4 spot. Set in Galveston, TX, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,402, while out-of-state students pay about $28,011. Early-career graduates earn a median of $79,793. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #5 this year. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Texas A And M University College Station graduates report median early-career earnings of $64,891. The median student debt is $20,031.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,214, compared with $22,514 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $76,328. Students borrow a median of $24,889 to complete a degree here.
Southern Methodist University placed #7 among the best colleges in Texas. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dallas, TX. Southern Methodist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Median early-career earnings reach $70,632. Southern Methodist University students take on a median of $20,712 in debt.
Texas Christian University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Early-career graduates earn a median of $60,035. Typical student debt is $22,960.
The University Of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center did well this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,511, with out-of-state students paying around $23,731. Median early-career earnings reach $79,657. The University Of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center students take on a median of $20,667 in debt.
Baylor University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Baylor University posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,100. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,888. The median student debt is $23,928.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio came in at #11 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in San Antonio, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $27,776. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $89,151. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio students take on a median of $20,247 in debt.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #12 spot in Texas this year. Located in Richardson, TX, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Median early-career earnings reach $58,507. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete a degree here.
Trinity University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in San Antonio, TX, Trinity University is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity University graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,676. Median early-career earnings reach $57,496. Graduates carry a median of $23,314 in student loans.
University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center placed #14 among the best colleges in Texas. This public school is set in Dallas, TX. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $76,007.
West Coast University Los Angeles landed the #15 spot in Texas this year. Set in Richardson, TX, West Coast University Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution. West Coast University Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 31%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,854. Median early-career earnings reach $92,600. Graduates carry a median of $37,140 in student loans.
Texas Tech University landed the #16 spot in Texas this year. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,332. Typical student debt is $24,271.
University Of Houston placed #17 among the best colleges in Texas. University Of Houston is a public school based in Houston, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete a degree here.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public school based in Arlington, TX. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $55,304. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete a degree here.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in El Paso, TX, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,050, compared with $27,170 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $73,235. Typical student debt is $25,000.
Baylor College Of Medicine came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Houston, TX, Baylor College Of Medicine is a private not-for-profit institution. Median early-career earnings reach $110,751.
University Of Dallas placed #21 among the best colleges in Texas. This private not-for-profit school is set in Irving, TX. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,930. Median early-career earnings reach $58,396. Typical student debt is $23,411.
University Of North Texas placed #22 among the best colleges in Texas. Based in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,157. University Of North Texas students take on a median of $21,817 in debt.
University Of North Texas Health Science Center came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Set in Fort Worth, TX, University Of North Texas Health Science Center is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,224 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,415 for out-of-state students. University Of North Texas Health Science Center graduates report median early-career earnings of $71,255.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Texas landed the #24 spot in Texas this year. Based in Houston, TX, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Texas is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 25% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,100. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,188 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #25 spot in Texas this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a public school based in San Marcos, TX. Texas State University San Marcos posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,456. Typical student debt is $23,659.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 329 in Texas. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
These 16 colleges rank #51 through #66 of 329 in Texas. These colleges also performed well in our Best Colleges ranking:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | University Of Houston Downtown | Houston, TX |
| 52 | Abilene Christian University Undergraduate Online | Addison, TX |
| 53 | University Of Houston Victoria | Victoria, TX |
| 54 | The University Of Texas Pan American | Edinburg, TX |
| 55 | Collin County Community College District | McKinney, TX |
| 56 | Texas A And M University Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi, TX |
| 57 | University Of The Incarnate Word | San Antonio, TX |
| 58 | Texas A And M University Commerce | Commerce, TX |
| 59 | Austin College | Sherman, TX |
| 60 | The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin | Odessa, TX |
| 61 | Houston Baptist University | Houston, TX |
| 62 | University Of North Texas At Dallas | Dallas, TX |
| 63 | Texas Lutheran University | Seguin, TX |
| 64 | Brazosport College | Lake Jackson, TX |
| 65 | Texas A And M International University | Laredo, TX |
| 66 | University Of Mary Hardin Baylor | Belton, TX |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
