These 10 Texas schools were named the state’s best colleges. Why national ranking says so
Which are the top colleges or universities in Texas?
WalletHub compiled a study that ranks the best colleges based on seven criteria: student selectivity, cost and financing, faculty resources, campus safety, campus experience, educational outcomes, and career outcomes.
Rice University in Houston ranked No. 6 on the national list, while in Texas it ranked No. 1.
A few North Texas colleges also made the ranking. According to WalletHub, here are the top 10 lists.
Best Texas colleges and universities
No. 1 Rice University
Houston
No. 6 nationally
Admission rate: 7.5%
Tuition: $62,874
Graduation rate: 92%
No. 2 The University of Texas at Austin
Austin
No. 53 nationally
Admission rate: 11%
Tuition: Texas residents: $22,553; Nonresidents: $6,788 (as a business major)
Graduation rate: 74.8%
No. 3 Trinity University
San Antonio
No. 65 nationally
Admission rate: 28%
Tuition: $53,676
Graduation rate: 80%
No. 4 Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station
No. 155 nationally
Admission rate: 63%
Tuition: In-state: $12,413, Out-of-state: $40,307
Graduation rate: 83%
No. 5 Southwestern University
Georgetown
No. 165 nationally
Admission rate: 45%
Tuition: $53,288
Graduation rate: 73%
No. 6 Texas Christian University
Fort Worth
No. 168 nationally
Admission rate: 56%
Tuition: $61,650
Graduation rate: 81%
No. 7 Austin College
Sherman
No. 173 nationally
Admission rate: 54%
Tuition: $48,655
Graduation rate: 71%
No. 8 Texas A&M International University
Laredo
No. 248 nationally
Admission rate: 63%
Tuition: In-state: $9,496, Out-of-state: $21,798
Graduation rate: 38%
No. 9 University of Dallas
Irving
No. 262 nationally
Admission rate: 59%
Tuition: $48,000
Graduation rate: 69%
No. 10 Southern Methodist University
Dallas
No. 271 nationally
Admission rate: 52%
Tuition: $61,980
Graduation rate: 81%
How WalletHub determined its methodology
WalletHub analyzed 822 colleges across the U.S. and assigned them scores in seven categories to create the rankings. Points up to 100 were considered.
The personal finance website used both universities and colleges, “Institutions were considered colleges if they provide only undergraduate, or baccalaureate degree, programs, and universities if they offer graduate, including masters and/or doctoral degree, programs,” said WalletHub.
Data from the National Center for Education Statistics, Council for Community and Economic Research, U.S. Department of Education, COLLEGEdata, and PayScale were also used.
This story was originally published October 14, 2024 at 4:19 PM.