Home to 74 ranked institutions, Texas offers a diverse higher education landscape ranging from research powerhouses like The University Of Texas At Austin to specialized regional colleges. With 45% public universities and 55% private colleges, graduates earn a median of $53,471 ten years after enrollment—$2,346 lower than the national average.
Graduates from Texas institutions earn between $29,288 and $89,718 ten years after enrollment, demonstrating significant variation in career outcomes. The University Of Texas At Austin leads with earnings of $75,121, while University Of Houston graduates earn $62,377, showing how program selection and institutional quality directly impact median earnings and graduation rate success.
While The University Of Texas At Austin dominates the rankings, students looking for more accessible admissions should consider The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley. With an acceptance rate of 84%, it offers a strategic alternative for students prioritizing in-state tuition opportunities while still delivering strong graduate outcomes.
| Rank | School | Location | Earnings | Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Austin, TX | $79,115 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,553 | 26.6% | 88.9% | |
| #2 | Arlington, TX | $79,176 Median Earnings (4yr) | $11,893 | 79.9% | 54.0% | |
| #3 | University Of HoustonPublic | Houston, TX | $68,091 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,929 | 73.9% | 64.6% |
| #4 | College Station, TX | $76,234 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,784 | 57.4% | 83.9% | |
| #5 | Edinburg, TX | $53,888 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,785 | 94.2% | 50.9% | |
| #6 | San Antonio, TX | $60,333 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,870 | 86.8% | 52.6% | |
| #7 | Houston, TX | $50,591 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,722 | — | 16.5% | |
| #8 | El Paso, TX | $58,771 Median Earnings (4yr) | $7,863 | 99.9% | 50.2% | |
| #9 | Texas State UniversityPublic | San Marcos, TX | $58,786 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,715 | 89.3% | 55.3% |
| #10 | Denton, TX | $58,743 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,311 | 72.2% | 60.7% | |
| #11 | Fort Worth, TX | $50,928 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,334 | — | — | |
| #12 | Rice UniversityPrivate | Houston, TX | $110,080 Median Earnings (4yr) | $5,827 | 8.0% | 94.6% |
| #13 | Richardson, TX | $76,497 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,814 | 65.1% | 75.7% | |
| #14 | Houston, TX | $60,550 Median Earnings (4yr) | $9,439 | 90.0% | 33.2% | |
| #15 | Lone Star College SystemPublic | The Woodlands, TX | $52,634 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,657 | — | 21.1% |
| #16 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | Lubbock, TX | $66,144 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,457 | 72.7% | 68.7% |
| #17 | Dallas CollegePublic | Dallas, TX | $53,130 Median Earnings (4yr) | $2,120 | — | 32.3% |
| #18 | Pasadena, TX | $52,809 Median Earnings (4yr) | $10,868 | — | 30.1% | |
| #19 | Austin, TX | $57,624 Median Earnings (4yr) | $3,789 | — | 20.2% | |
| #20 | Prairie View, TX | $60,602 Median Earnings (4yr) | $12,120 | 79.3% | 43.2% |
