Best Colleges in Texas (2019-2020)

The schools listed below rank in the best colleges in Texas. For this ranking, we consider any type/level of colleges including national universities, liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and specialized schools. In Texas, there are 435 colleges and universities - by school type, 116 public and 319 private schools, and by school level, 154 4 years (or high), 125 2-4 years, and 156 less than 2 years schools.

For academic year 2019-2020, Rice University ranks first in the best Texas colleges ranking and Trinity University and The University of Texas at Austin followed it. By school type, there are 5 public and 5 schools in the best Texas colleges.

The average acceptance rate of the best Texas colleges 45.94% where Rice University has the tightest rate with 11.13%. Southern Methodist University has the highest tuition & fees with $56,560 where the average amount is $40,621 of the schools. Rice University has the highest submitted SAT scores with 1,505 where the average SAT scores is 1,302 of the schools. The average student population is 28,378 and the average student to faculty ratio is 16.00 to 1 over the best Texas colleges.

The ranking is based on CollegeEvaluator's ranking methodology by considering academic, financial, admissions, learning environment, and more perspectives. [read more about the ranking methodology]

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1Rice University 91.82

Rice University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Houston, TX with total 7,124 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,505
Acceptance Rate	11.13%
Tuition & Fees	$49,112
Student Population	7,124 (3,992 Undergraduate)
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2Trinity University 87.30

Trinity University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in San Antonio, TX with total 2,637 students.

Highest Degree	Master's degree
SAT Scores	1,345
Acceptance Rate	34.16%
Tuition & Fees	$44,680
Student Population	2,637 (2,474 Undergraduate)
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3The University of Texas at Austin 87.10

The University of Texas at Austin is a public, 4 or more years school located in Austin, TX with total 51,832 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,355
Acceptance Rate	38.52%
Tuition & Fees	$10,824 (in-state) / $38,326 (out-of-state)
Student Population	51,832 (40,804 Undergraduate)
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4Southern Methodist University 86.71

Southern Methodist University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Dallas, TX with total 11,649 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,370
Acceptance Rate	51.23%
Tuition & Fees	$56,560
Student Population	11,649 (6,479 Undergraduate)
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51Texas A & M University-College Station 86.70

Texas A & M University-College Station is a public, 4 or more years school located in College Station, TX with total 68,679 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,275
Acceptance Rate	67.62%
Tuition & Fees	$12,153 (in-state) / $38,602 (out-of-state)
Student Population	68,679 (53,743 Undergraduate)
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61The University of Texas at Dallas 86.61

The University of Texas at Dallas is a public, 4 or more years school located in Richardson, TX with total 28,755 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,330
Acceptance Rate	69.22%
Tuition & Fees	$13,442 (in-state) / $38,168 (out-of-state)
Student Population	28,755 (19,872 Undergraduate)
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71Texas Christian University 86.53

Texas Christian University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Fort Worth, TX with total 10,918 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,247
Acceptance Rate	40.73%
Tuition & Fees	$49,250
Student Population	10,918 (9,445 Undergraduate)
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81Baylor University 86.53

Baylor University is a private (not-for-profit), 4 or more years school located in Waco, TX with total 17,217 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,280
Acceptance Rate	38.95%
Tuition & Fees	$47,364
Student Population	17,217 (14,188 Undergraduate)
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913Texas State University 86.20

Texas State University is a public, 4 or more years school located in San Marcos, TX with total 38,644 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,095
Acceptance Rate	45.54%
Tuition & Fees	$10,581 (in-state) / $22,397 (out-of-state)
Student Population	38,644 (34,187 Undergraduate)
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10University of Houston 85.90

University of Houston is a public, 4 or more years school located in Houston, TX with total 46,324 students.

Highest Degree	Doctor's degree
SAT Scores	1,220
Acceptance Rate	62.34%
Tuition & Fees	$9,221 (in-state) / $21,749 (out-of-state)
Student Population	46,324 (38,348 Undergraduate)
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Best Colleges in Texas (2019-2020) Comparison

Rank	Name	Acceptance Rate	Undergraduate Tuition & Fees	Graduate Tuition & Fees	SAT Scores	Population	Student : Faculty
1	Rice University Houston, TX	11.13%	$49,112	$49,403	1,505	7,124	6 to 1
2	Trinity University San Antonio, TX	34.16%	$44,680	$42,737	1,345	2,637	9 to 1
3	The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX	38.52%	$38,326 ($10,824)	$22,966 ($11,998)	1,355	51,832	18 to 1
4	Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX	51.23%	$56,560	$47,256	1,370	11,649	11 to 1
5 1	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, TX	67.62%	$38,602 ($12,153)	$22,196 ($10,173)	1,275	68,679	20 to 1
6 1	The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX	69.22%	$38,168 ($13,442)	$27,796 ($13,874)	1,330	28,755	25 to 1
7 1	Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX	40.73%	$49,250	$30,828	1,247	10,918	13 to 1
8 1	Baylor University Waco, TX	38.95%	$47,364	$35,514	1,280	17,217	14 to 1
9 13	Texas State University San Marcos, TX	45.54%	$22,397 ($10,581)	$17,104 ($8,664)	1,095	38,644	22 to 1
10	University of Houston Houston, TX	62.34%	$21,749 ($9,221)	$18,748 ($9,372)	1,220	46,324	22 to 1