by our College Data Analytics TeamRice University ranks #1 of 122 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Texas ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 68% six-year graduation rate and $84,913 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, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **122** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 122 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.
Rice University leads the 122 ranked colleges in Texas, followed by The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston (#2) and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Our analysis found Rice University to be the best college in Texas. Set in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 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 University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston came in at #2 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Texas. Located in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,748, compared with $43,132 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $101,165 early in their careers. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston students take on a median of $21,988 in debt.
Out of the 122 colleges in Texas in this year's ranking, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Lubbock, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $10,214, compared with $22,514 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $76,328. The median student debt is $24,889.
Out of the 122 colleges in Texas in this year's ranking, The University Of Texas Medical Branch landed the #4 spot. Based in Galveston, TX, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,402 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,011 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $79,793. The University Of Texas Medical Branch students take on a median of $23,250 in debt.
You'll be in good company at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #5 this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. The median student debt is $21,275.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station graduates report median early-career earnings of $64,891. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete a degree here.
Southern Methodist University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Dallas, TX, Southern Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Southern Methodist University graduates report median early-career earnings of $70,632. Southern Methodist University students take on a median of $20,712 in debt.
Texas Christian University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $60,035. The median student debt is $22,960.
The University Of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Houston, TX, The University Of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,511, while out-of-state students pay about $23,731. The University Of Texas Md Anderson Cancer Center graduates report median early-career earnings of $79,657. Typical student debt is $20,667.
Baylor University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Waco, TX. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Baylor University graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,888. Graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans.
Trinity University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in San Antonio, TX, Trinity University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,676. Median early-career earnings reach $57,496. Students borrow a median of $23,314 to complete a degree here.
The University Of Texas At Dallas did well this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in Richardson, TX. The University Of Texas At Dallas posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Median early-career earnings reach $58,507. The University Of Texas At Dallas students take on a median of $20,531 in debt.
West Coast University Los Angeles came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located 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. Typical student debt is $37,140.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio landed the #14 spot in Texas this year. Based in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At San Antonio is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $27,776. Early-career graduates earn a median of $89,151. Graduates carry a median of $20,247 in student loans.
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans.
University Of Houston ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. The median student debt is $21,255.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Arlington, TX, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $55,304. Typical student debt is $21,632.
University Of North Texas landed the #18 spot in Texas this year. Set in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. University Of North Texas graduates report median early-career earnings of $49,157. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete a degree here.
University Of Dallas placed #19 among the best colleges in Texas. Based in Irving, TX, University Of Dallas is a private not-for-profit institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,930. Early-career graduates earn a median of $58,396. The median student debt is $23,411.
Texas State University San Marcos did well this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in San Marcos, TX. Texas State University San Marcos posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $47,456. Texas State University San Marcos students take on a median of $23,659 in debt.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Texas did well this year, earning the #21 position. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Texas is a private for-profit school based in Houston, TX. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Texas posts a six-year graduation rate of 25%. In-state tuition and fees run about $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 Womans University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. Texas Womans University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,611 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $24,211.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #23 spot in Texas this year. This public school is set in Tyler, TX. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates 54% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $55,134. The median student debt is $20,959.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso placed #24 among the best colleges in Texas. Located in El Paso, TX, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,050, while out-of-state students pay about $27,170. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,235 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete a degree here.
Southwestern University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Georgetown, TX. About 73% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $53,613. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,990 early in their careers. The median student debt is $24,975.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 122 in Texas. Not far behind, these colleges also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider 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.
