Best Engineering Colleges in Texas (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 36 schools in Texas by the median earnings of Engineering graduates four years after completing. Across the 26 schools with a reported completion median, median earnings range from $117,188 at The University of Texas at Austin to $44,356, with a median of $86,710.
For 2 of the listed schools the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
Public institutions account for 75% of the list, with 27 public and 9 private nonprofit schools. Rice University posts the highest six-year completion rate at 95%.
The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 8th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median Engineering Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $117,188 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 26.6% |
| The University of Texas at Austin reports $117,188 in median earnings for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, and ranks 9th on Azimuth's composite ranking 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) | |||||
| 2 | Rice University · Houston, TX | $114,381 | $13,370 | $5,827 | 8.0% |
| Rice University, a private nonprofit university in Houston, admits 8% of applicants and posts a six-year completion rate of 95%. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 3 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $102,174 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
| Graduates of Texas A&M University-College Station earn a median of $102,174 four years after completing, and the school's average net price is $21,315. | |||||
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 Tech University · Lubbock, TX | $100,567 | $19,070 | $12,457 | 72.7% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 69%, Texas Tech University reports median earnings of $100,567 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 5 | The University of Texas at Dallas · Richardson, TX | $99,324 | $18,267 | $12,814 | 65.1% |
| The University of Texas at Dallas admits 65% of applicants and its Engineering graduates earn a median of $99,324 four years after completing. | |||||
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 | Lamar University · Beaumont, TX | $97,768 | $9,366 | $7,568 | 86.4% |
| Lamar University carries an average net price of $9,366, and its Engineering graduates earn a median of $97,768 four years after completing. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 7 | University of Houston · Houston, TX | $96,790 | $14,276 | $10,929 | 73.9% |
| University of Houston ranks 13th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its six-year completion rate is 65%. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 8 | West Texas A & M University · Canyon, TX | $93,938 | $19,487 | $16,525 | 98.7% |
| West Texas A & M University reports median earnings of $93,938 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 99%. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 9 | Texas Christian University · Fort Worth, TX | $93,753 | $36,660 | $17,956 | 44.5% |
| A private nonprofit university in Fort Worth, Texas Christian University posts a six-year completion rate of 86% and an average net price of $36,660. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering, General (41 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Engineering, General ($93,753) | |||||
| 10 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $92,493 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
| Texas State University graduates earn a median of $92,493 four years after completing, and the school admits 89% of applicants. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 11 | Prairie View A & M University · Prairie View, TX | $91,663 | $13,570 | $12,120 | 79.3% |
| Prairie View A & M University ranks 115th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its six-year completion rate is 43%. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 12 | Baylor University · Waco, TX | $91,607 | $41,104 | $22,024 | 51.3% |
| Baylor University reports median earnings of $91,607 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $41,104. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (65 graduates), Electrical and Computer Engineering (30 graduates), Engineering, General (13 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($92,990) | |||||
| 13 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $90,957 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 72.2% |
| University of North Texas reports $90,957 in median earnings for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, and ranks 41st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 14 | The University of Texas at Arlington · Arlington, TX | $90,189 | $13,951 | $11,893 | 79.9% |
| The University of Texas at Arlington ranks 14th on this list and posts a six-year completion rate of 54%, alongside an average net price of $13,951. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 15 | The University of Texas at Tyler · Tyler, TX | $90,070 | $13,323 | $10,307 | 94.0% |
| The University of Texas at Tyler posts an admission rate of 94% and median earnings of $90,070 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 16 | Midwestern State University · Wichita Falls, TX | $87,160 | $11,656 | $8,856 | 93.5% |
| Midwestern State University shows an average net price of $8,856 for families earning under $30,000, and its Engineering graduates earn a median of $87,160 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (22 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($87,160) | |||||
| 17 | Trinity University · San Antonio, TX | $86,823 | $23,464 | $10,356 | 25.9% |
| A private nonprofit university in San Antonio, Trinity University admits 26% of applicants and graduates 84% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Science (28 graduates) | |||||
| 18 | The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $86,596 | $10,836 | $7,870 | 86.8% |
| The University of Texas at San Antonio ranks 18th on this list, with median earnings of $86,596 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $10,836. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 19 | LeTourneau University · Longview, TX | $86,483 | $28,185 | $22,785 | 38.0% |
| LeTourneau University reports an average net price of $22,785 for families earning under $30,000, while its Engineering graduates earn a median of $86,483 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (39 graduates), Metallurgical Engineering (11 graduates), Computer Engineering (7 graduates) | |||||
| 20 | East Texas A&M University · Commerce, TX | $86,339 | $11,841 | $9,709 | 92.2% |
| East Texas A&M University ranks 20th on this list and posts a six-year completion rate of 43%, alongside an average net price of $11,841. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (21 graduates), Industrial Engineering (12 graduates), Construction Engineering (11 graduates) | |||||
| 21 | The University of Texas at El Paso · El Paso, TX | $86,291 | $9,403 | $7,863 | 99.9% |
| The University of Texas at El Paso admits 100% of applicants and reports median earnings of $86,291 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 22 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville · Kingsville, TX | $84,098 | $12,090 | $10,207 | 90.9% |
| Texas A&M University-Kingsville shows an average net price of $10,207 for families earning under $30,000, and its Engineering graduates earn a median of $84,098 four years after completing. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 23 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg, TX | $80,914 | $4,831 | $3,785 | 94.2% |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ranks 23rd on this list, with median earnings of $80,914 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $4,831. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 24 | Stephen F Austin State University · Nacogdoches, TX | $80,086 | $14,260 | $10,318 | 94.0% |
| Stephen F Austin State University reports an admission rate of 94% and a six-year completion rate of 53%, alongside median earnings of $80,086 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering Physics (15 graduates) | |||||
| 25 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi · Corpus Christi, TX | $79,925 | $15,225 | $11,445 | 88.6% |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi ranks 25th on this list and posts an admission rate of 89% alongside a six-year completion rate of 40%. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 26 | University of Houston-Clear Lake · Houston, TX | $79,710 | $15,563 | $7,330 | 90.5% |
| University of Houston-Clear Lake reports median earnings of $79,710 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $15,563. | |||||
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) | |||||
| 27 | Southern Methodist University · Dallas, TX | $78,721 | $40,892 | $23,544 | 63.4% |
| A private nonprofit university in Dallas, Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of its students within six years and carries an average net price of $40,892. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (47 graduates), Operations Research (45 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Mechanical Engineering ($90,649) | |||||
| 28 | St. Mary's University · San Antonio, TX | $78,406 | $21,145 | $18,352 | 97.8% |
| St. Mary's University posts median earnings of $78,406 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing and admits 98% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Engineering (20 graduates), Industrial Engineering (11 graduates) | |||||
| 29 | The University of Texas Permian Basin · Odessa, TX | $75,665 | $12,723 | $11,930 | 94.9% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 40%, The University of Texas Permian Basin reports median earnings of $75,665 for its Engineering graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (48 graduates), Petroleum Engineering (24 graduates), Chemical Engineering (5 graduates) | |||||
| 30 | Texas Southern University · Houston, TX | $71,595 | $16,590 | $16,437 | 96.9% |
| Texas Southern University ranks 30th on this list and shows median earnings of $71,595 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (21 graduates), Civil Engineering (16 graduates) | |||||
| 31 | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor · Belton, TX | $63,830 | $26,106 | $22,089 | 95.8% |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor ranks 917th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $26,106. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering, General (14 graduates) | |||||
| 32 | Texas A & M International University · Laredo, TX | $60,126 | $3,637 | $3,097 | 44.4% |
| Texas A & M International University reports median earnings of $60,126 for its Engineering graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $3,637. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Systems Engineering (45 graduates) | |||||
| 33 | Angelo State University · San Angelo, TX | $56,688 | $15,091 | $12,008 | 83.0% |
| Angelo State University admits 83% of applicants and graduates 44% of its students within six years, with an average net price of $15,091. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Civil Engineering (19 graduates), Mechanical Engineering (8 graduates) | |||||
| 34 | Texas A&M University-Texarkana · Texarkana, TX | $50,207 | $12,997 | $11,002 | 63.5% |
| Texas A&M University-Texarkana ranks 628th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and posts a six-year completion rate of 30%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (17 graduates) | |||||
| 35 | Tarleton State University · Stephenville, TX | $48,585 | $20,783 | $15,574 | 89.6% |
| Tarleton State University, a public university in Stephenville, posts an average net price of $15,574 for families earning under $30,000 and graduates 48% of its students within six years. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Mechanical Engineering (15 graduates), Civil Engineering (8 graduates), Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (7 graduates) | |||||
| 36 | University of the Incarnate Word · San Antonio, TX | $44,356 | $22,775 | $19,260 | 98.1% |
| University of the Incarnate Word reports median earnings of $44,356 for its Engineering graduates two years after completing and admits 98% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Engineering, General (9 graduates) | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Engineering graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled after completing. For 2 of the 36 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The figures cited on this page cover the 26 schools with a reported completion median. The spread from top-ranked The University of Texas at Austin to the bottom of the list reaches $72,832.
Job market context in Texas
Engineering graduates in Texas enter occupations such as Civil Engineers, Industrial Engineers, and Mechanical Engineers. The median annual wage across those occupations is $116,398, and 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 four years after completing; the market figures describe the occupations, not the earnings of any listed school's graduates.