[College research](/) / [Rankings](/rankings/)

# Best Engineering Colleges for Social Mobility in Texas

Updated October 1, 2026

This page ranks the 25 Engineering schools in Texas that clear a mobility threshold. Schools first had to sit at or above the 60th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar; those that qualified are ordered by the school's median earnings of all students ten years after entry, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page.

[Rice University](/school/rice-university/majors/) leads the list with $89,718 in median earnings of all students ten years after entry, and the figures span from $89,718 to $38,924 across the group, with a median of $56,906.

Public institutions dominate the list: 23 of the 25 schools are public, a 92% share. Texas A & M International University posts the lowest average net price at $3,637.

[The University of Texas at Austin](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/majors/) ranks 99th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally, the highest on the page.

## The ranked list

25 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median earnings, 10 years after entry | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Pell share | Mobility percentile |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Rice University · Houston, TX | $89,718 | $13,370 | $5,827 | 17.0% | 77th |
|  | [Rice University](/school/rice-university/majors/) reports [$89,718 in median earnings](/school/rice-university/outcomes/) of all students ten years after entry and sits at the 77th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (60 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (49 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (34 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($121,099), Chemical Engineering ($113,605), Mechanical Engineering ($108,970) |
| 2 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $75,121 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 25.9% | 99th |
|  | With an [average net price of $12,553](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, [The University of Texas at Austin](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/majors/) ranks 2nd on this list and posts a 99th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (320 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (266 graduates), Civil Engineering (143 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($146,003), Petroleum Engineering ($139,867), Chemical Engineering ($115,423) |
| 3 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $72,097 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 19.6% | 99th |
|  | [Texas A&M University-College Station](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/majors/) shows [median earnings of $72,097](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/outcomes/) ten years after entry, and 20% of its undergraduates receive Pell Grants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (415 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (281 graduates), Industrial Engineering (261 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($127,042), Petroleum Engineering ($114,686), Chemical Engineering ($111,073) |
| 4 | Texas Christian University · Fort Worth, TX | $68,424 | $36,660 | $17,956 | 14.3% | 71st |
|  | A private nonprofit university in Fort Worth, [Texas Christian University](/school/texas-christian-university/majors/) ranks 4th on this list and carries an [average net price of $36,660](/school/texas-christian-university/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering, General (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering, General ($93,753) |
| 5 | The University of Texas at Dallas · Richardson, TX | $68,227 | $18,267 | $12,814 | 30.0% | 96th |
|  | [The University of Texas at Dallas](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-dallas/majors/) posts [median earnings of $68,227](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-dallas/outcomes/) ten years after entry and an average net price of $12,814 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (231 graduates), Computer Engineering (200 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (125 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($112,666), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($104,448), Mechanical Engineering ($90,102) |
| 6 | The University of Texas at Arlington · Arlington, TX | $63,199 | $13,951 | $11,893 | 42.3% | 99th |
|  | At the 99th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, [The University of Texas at Arlington](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-arlington/majors/) reports 42% of its undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (134 graduates), Computer Engineering (103 graduates), Civil Engineering (102 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($105,871), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($99,993), Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering ($99,239) |
| 7 | Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX | $62,454 | $19,070 | $12,457 | 27.8% | 97th |
|  | [Texas Tech University](/school/texas-tech-university/majors/) ranks 7th on this list, with [median earnings of $62,454](/school/texas-tech-university/outcomes/) ten years after entry and an average net price of $19,070. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (247 graduates), Chemical Engineering (96 graduates), Civil Engineering (85 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Petroleum Engineering ($139,864), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($107,110), Construction Engineering ($102,312) |
| 8 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $62,377 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 41.6% | 100th |
|  | [University of Houston](/school/university-of-houston/majors/) sits at the 100th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports 42% of its undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (211 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (84 graduates), Chemical Engineering (74 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Chemical Engineering ($110,184), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($107,399), Industrial Engineering ($94,814) |
| 9 | University of Houston-Clear Lake · Houston, TX | $59,004 | $15,563 | $7,330 | 45.2% | 91st |
|  | With an [average net price of $7,330](/school/university-of-houston-clear-lake/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, [University of Houston-Clear Lake](/school/university-of-houston-clear-lake/majors/) posts median earnings of $59,004 ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (33 graduates), Computer Engineering (30 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($79,710) |
| 10 | The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $57,131 | $10,836 | $7,870 | 44.1% | 98th |
|  | [The University of Texas at San Antonio](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/majors/) ranks 10th on this list, reports an [average net price of $10,836,](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/cost/) and shows 44% of its undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (159 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (97 graduates), Civil Engineering (93 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($90,846), Mechanical Engineering ($87,062), Civil Engineering ($84,166) |
| 11 | The University of Texas at Tyler · Tyler, TX | $57,053 | $13,323 | $10,307 | 39.7% | 87th |
|  | [The University of Texas at Tyler](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-tyler/majors/) posts [median earnings of $57,053](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-tyler/outcomes/) ten years after entry and sits at the 87th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (82 graduates), Civil Engineering (54 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (44 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($95,295), Mechanical Engineering ($88,562), Civil Engineering ($88,102) |
| 12 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $57,010 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 38.0% | 98th |
|  | At the 98th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, [University of North Texas](/school/university-of-north-texas/majors/) reports an [average net price of $12,311](/school/university-of-north-texas/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (103 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (65 graduates), Biomedical/Medical Engineering (47 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Engineering ($109,151), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($95,294), Mechanical Engineering ($87,257) |
| 13 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $56,906 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 37.2% | 99th |
|  | [Texas State University](/school/texas-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $56,906](/school/texas-state-university/outcomes/) for all students ten years after entry, and sits at the 99th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (92 graduates), Manufacturing Engineering (43 graduates), Industrial Engineering (34 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($94,780), Industrial Engineering ($90,729), Manufacturing Engineering ($88,995) |
| 14 | Midwestern State University · Wichita Falls, TX | $55,747 | $11,656 | $8,856 | 40.6% | 75th |
|  | An [average net price of $8,856](/school/midwestern-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a 41% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants at [Midwestern State University](/school/midwestern-state-university/majors/), which ranks 14th on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($87,160) |
| 15 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi · Corpus Christi, TX | $51,865 | $15,225 | $11,445 | 42.9% | 84th |
|  | [Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi](/school/texas-a-m-university-corpus-christi/majors/) posts a 43% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and [median earnings of $51,865](/school/texas-a-m-university-corpus-christi/outcomes/) for all students ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (52 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (15 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($82,322) |
| 16 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville · Kingsville, TX | $51,450 | $12,090 | $10,207 | 52.7% | 76th |
|  | Ranking 16th on this list, [Texas A&M University-Kingsville](/school/texas-am-university-kingsville/majors/) reports an [average net price of $12,090](/school/texas-am-university-kingsville/cost/) and a 53% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Civil Engineering (62 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (55 graduates), Chemical Engineering (29 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Chemical Engineering ($97,811), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($94,810), Mechanical Engineering ($88,830) |
| 17 | The University of Texas at El Paso · El Paso, TX | $50,923 | $9,403 | $7,863 | 61.6% | 97th |
|  | [The University of Texas at El Paso](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-el-paso/majors/) reaches the 97th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, with [median earnings of $50,923](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-el-paso/outcomes/) for all students ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (199 graduates), Civil Engineering (73 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (66 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($94,122), Metallurgical Engineering ($89,131), Mechanical Engineering ($88,393) |
| 18 | West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX | $50,741 | $19,487 | $16,525 | 41.1% | 80th |
|  | An [average net price of $16,525](/school/west-texas-a-m-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and a 41% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants are reported by [West Texas A & M University](/school/west-texas-a-m-university/majors/), which ranks 18th on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (35 graduates), Civil Engineering (8 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($93,938) |
| 19 | East Texas A&M University · Commerce, TX | $50,296 | $11,841 | $9,709 | 40.5% | 91st |
|  | [East Texas A&M University](/school/east-texas-am-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $50,296](/school/east-texas-am-university/outcomes/) for all students ten years after entry and sits at the 91st percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (21 graduates), Industrial Engineering (12 graduates), Construction Engineering (11 graduates) |
| 20 | Lamar University · Beaumont, TX | $49,652 | $9,366 | $7,568 | 46.5% | 79th |
|  | Ranking 20th on this list, [Lamar University](/school/lamar-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $9,366](/school/lamar-university/cost/) and a 46% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (66 graduates), Chemical Engineering (46 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (31 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($103,037), Chemical Engineering ($101,018), Mechanical Engineering ($97,159) |
| 21 | Stephen F Austin State University · Nacogdoches, TX | $49,634 | $14,260 | $10,318 | 38.9% | 90th |
|  | [Stephen F Austin State University](/school/stephen-f-austin-state-university/majors/) reaches the 90th percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions, alongside [median earnings of $49,634](/school/stephen-f-austin-state-university/outcomes/) for all students ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Physics (15 graduates) |
| 22 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg, TX | $49,620 | $4,831 | $3,785 | 65.1% | 99th |
|  | An [average net price of $3,785](/school/the-university-of-texas-rio-grande-valley/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a 65% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants at [The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley](/school/the-university-of-texas-rio-grande-valley/majors/), which ranks 22nd on this list. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (122 graduates), Civil Engineering (100 graduates), Computer Engineering (47 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($87,991), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($85,971), Computer Engineering ($77,097) |
| 23 | Texas A & M International University · Laredo, TX | $48,386 | $3,637 | $3,097 | 64.5% | 93rd |
|  | [Texas A & M International University](/school/texas-a-m-international-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $48,386](/school/texas-a-m-international-university/outcomes/) for all students ten years after entry and sits at the 93rd percentile on Azimuth's mobility index among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Systems Engineering (45 graduates) |
| 24 | Prairie View A & M University · Prairie View, TX | $45,411 | $13,570 | $12,120 | 65.6% | 92nd |
|  | Ranking 24th on this list, [Prairie View A & M University](/school/prairie-view-a-m-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $13,570](/school/prairie-view-a-m-university/cost/) and a 66% share of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (67 graduates), Chemical Engineering (50 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (25 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering ($115,939), Chemical Engineering ($92,591), Mechanical Engineering ($88,708) |
| 25 | Texas Southern University · Houston, TX | $38,924 | $16,590 | $16,437 | 72.3% | 87th |
|  | [Texas Southern University](/school/texas-southern-university/majors/) ranks 25th on this list and reports [median earnings of $38,924](/school/texas-southern-university/outcomes/) for all students ten years after entry. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (21 graduates), Civil Engineering (16 graduates) |

## How this list is ordered

Schools first had to sit at or above the 60th percentile on Azimuth's mobility pillar; those that qualified are ordered by the school's median earnings of all students ten years after entry, highest first, as set out on [Azimuth's methodology page](/methodology/#ranked-lists). The figures are medians for all federally aided students at each institution, measured ten years after entry, among those working and not enrolled. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The gap between Rice University and The University of Texas at Austin is $14,597, and the spread from the top of the list to the bottom is $50,794.

## Job market context in Texas

Engineering graduates in Texas enter a labor market that links to occupations such as Civil Engineers, Industrial Engineers, and Mechanical Engineers. The median annual wage across those occupations is $116,398, though a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $90,958. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 19.7% higher, with about 317 openings a year for every hundred graduates, more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings data, which reflect the outcomes of specific cohorts of students, while these market figures describe the broader occupations the field connects to.

## Related rankings

-   Engineering Colleges for Social Mobility
-   Engineering Colleges in California for Social Mobility
-   [Best Engineering Colleges in Texas](/rankings/best-engineering-colleges-in-texas/)