# Best Bachelor's Programs in Texas

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-texas

## Methodology

Bachelor's programs in Texas ranked by outcomes and mobility

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Choosing the right bachelor's program in Texas can be a pivotal decision for students and families. With 50 schools on this list, each offers unique opportunities and challenges. At the heart of these choices is the pursuit of a degree that aligns with career aspirations and financial realities.

What stands out among the top schools are their outcomes related to earnings, graduation rates, and debt. These metrics reveal how well graduates fare in the job market and how manageable their student loans are after graduation. A closer look at the data shows that strong graduation rates and higher earnings are closely correlated, guiding families in weighing their options.

For instance, Rice University leads the pack with an impressive average earning of $89,718 and a graduation rate of 95%. In contrast, the University of Houston has lower earnings at $62,377 with a graduation rate of just 65%. This stark difference highlights the trade-offs students must consider when choosing a program that fits their goals and financial situation.

## Key Findings

- Rice University graduates earn an average of $89,718 annually.
- The University of Texas at Austin has an 88% graduation rate.
- Texas A&M University-College Station students face an average debt of $17,804.
- The average earnings for all schools listed is $57,815.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Rice University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rice-university) | Houston, TX | 95% | $89,718 | $13,370 | $11,000 | 0.12x |
| 2 | [The University of Texas at Austin](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-at-austin) | Austin, TX | 88% | $75,121 | $19,857 | $20,500 | 0.27x |
| 3 | [Trinity University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/trinity-university) | San Antonio, TX | 83% | $71,668 | $23,464 | $22,954 | 0.32x |
| 4 | [The University of Texas at Dallas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-at-dallas) | Richardson, TX | 75% | $68,227 | $18,267 | $18,000 | 0.26x |
| 5 | [The University of Texas at Tyler](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-at-tyler) | Tyler, TX | 51% | $57,053 | $13,323 | $17,137 | 0.3x |
| 6 | [Texas Woman's University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/texas-womans-university) | Denton, TX | 47% | $56,544 | $11,963 | $19,218 | 0.34x |
| 7 | [Texas A&M University-College Station](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/texas-am-university-college-station) | College Station, TX | 84% | $72,097 | $21,315 | $17,804 | 0.25x |
| 8 | [University of North Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-texas) | Denton, TX | 60% | $57,010 | $15,649 | $19,250 | 0.34x |
| 9 | [Texas Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/texas-christian-university) | Fort Worth, TX | 86% | $68,424 | $36,660 | $21,500 | 0.31x |
| 10 | [The University of Texas Permian Basin](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-permian-basin) | Odessa, TX | 42% | $56,073 | $12,723 | $17,750 | 0.32x |
| 11 | [Texas State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/texas-state-university) | San Marcos, TX | 56% | $56,906 | $16,805 | $21,000 | 0.37x |
| 12 | [The University of Texas at Arlington](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-at-arlington) | Arlington, TX | 55% | $63,199 | $13,951 | $17,527 | 0.28x |
| 13 | [East Texas A&M University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/east-texas-am-university) | Commerce, TX | 44% | $50,296 | $11,841 | $20,500 | 0.41x |
| 14 | [Austin College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/austin-college) | Sherman, TX | 68% | $61,296 | $21,107 | $24,500 | 0.4x |
| 15 | [Sam Houston State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/sam-houston-state-university) | Huntsville, TX | 55% | $54,211 | $16,404 | $21,983 | 0.41x |
| 16 | [The University of Texas at San Antonio](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio) | San Antonio, TX | 52% | $57,131 | $10,836 | $20,500 | 0.36x |
| 17 | [Texas Tech University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/texas-tech-university) | Lubbock, TX | 68% | $62,454 | $19,070 | $21,500 | 0.34x |
| 18 | [Lamar University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lamar-university) | Beaumont, TX | 37% | $49,652 | $9,366 | $21,250 | 0.43x |
| 19 | [Angelo State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/angelo-state-university) | San Angelo, TX | 42% | $50,116 | $15,091 | $20,000 | 0.4x |
| 20 | [Stephen F Austin State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stephen-f-austin-state-university) | Nacogdoches, TX | 53% | $49,634 | $14,260 | $23,409 | 0.47x |
| 21 | [University of Dallas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-dallas) | Irving, TX | 70% | $58,285 | $22,610 | $23,117 | 0.4x |
| 22 | [Midwestern State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/midwestern-state-university) | Wichita Falls, TX | 42% | $55,747 | $11,656 | $21,030 | 0.38x |
| 23 | [The University of Texas at El Paso](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-at-el-paso) | El Paso, TX | 48% | $50,923 | $9,403 | $18,000 | 0.35x |
| 24 | [Southern Methodist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-methodist-university) | Dallas, TX | 84% | $78,354 | $40,892 | $19,500 | 0.25x |
| 25 | [Concordia University Texas](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/concordia-university-texas) | Austin, TX | 42% | $60,883 | $23,131 | $21,852 | 0.36x |
| 26 | [Baylor University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/baylor-university) | Waco, TX | 80% | $65,793 | $41,104 | $23,000 | 0.35x |
| 27 | [Tarleton State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tarleton-state-university) | Stephenville, TX | 50% | $53,040 | $20,783 | $19,606 | 0.37x |
| 28 | [Dallas Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dallas-baptist-university) | Dallas, TX | 59% | $56,807 | $28,516 | $21,591 | 0.38x |
| 29 | [Southwestern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwestern-university) | Georgetown, TX | 71% | $56,878 | $29,224 | $25,000 | 0.44x |
| 30 | [Southwestern Adventist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southwestern-adventist-university) | Keene, TX | 47% | $52,946 | $22,778 | $26,998 | 0.51x |
| 31 | [The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-rio-grande-valley) | Edinburg, TX | 50% | $49,620 | $4,831 | $12,950 | 0.26x |
| 32 | [University of Houston](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-houston) | Houston, TX | 65% | $62,377 | $14,276 | $18,194 | 0.29x |
| 33 | [Texas A & M International University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/texas-a-m-international-university) | Laredo, TX | 48% | $48,386 | $3,637 | $15,000 | 0.31x |
| 34 | [Abilene Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/abilene-christian-university) | Abilene, TX | 60% | $55,736 | $26,182 | $24,250 | 0.44x |
| 35 | [University of Houston-Clear Lake](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-houston-clear-lake) | Houston, TX | 51% | $59,004 | $15,563 | $17,831 | 0.3x |
| 36 | [McMurry University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcmurry-university) | Abilene, TX | 41% | $48,779 | $19,581 | $27,000 | 0.55x |
| 37 | [Sul Ross State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/sul-ross-state-university) | Alpine, TX | 29% | $41,871 | $13,286 | $15,900 | 0.38x |
| 38 | [Hardin-Simmons University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hardin-simmons-university) | Abilene, TX | 48% | $54,771 | $19,555 | $24,711 | 0.45x |
| 39 | [LeTourneau University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/letourneau-university) | Longview, TX | 60% | $57,103 | $28,185 | $26,000 | 0.46x |
| 40 | [University of the Incarnate Word](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-the-incarnate-word) | San Antonio, TX | 51% | $56,733 | $22,775 | $27,000 | 0.48x |
| 41 | [East Texas Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/east-texas-baptist-university) | Marshall, TX | 48% | $52,788 | $23,911 | $23,250 | 0.44x |
| 42 | [Lubbock Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lubbock-christian-university) | Lubbock, TX | 50% | $53,787 | $24,456 | $20,948 | 0.39x |
| 43 | [Schreiner University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/schreiner-university) | Kerrville, TX | 43% | $52,228 | $21,507 | $23,250 | 0.45x |
| 44 | [University of Houston-Downtown](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-houston-downtown) | Houston, TX | 33% | $53,551 | $10,542 | $18,750 | 0.35x |
| 45 | [Texas Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/texas-wesleyan-university) | Fort Worth, TX | 32% | $54,053 | $24,066 | $23,125 | 0.43x |
| 46 | [University of Mary Hardin-Baylor](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-mary-hardin-baylor) | Belton, TX | 51% | $56,132 | $26,106 | $26,000 | 0.46x |
| 47 | [Wayland Baptist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wayland-baptist-university) | Plainview, TX | 19% | $51,838 | $20,590 | $23,106 | 0.45x |
| 48 | [West Texas A & M University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/west-texas-a-m-university) | Canyon, TX | 51% | $50,741 | $19,487 | $19,500 | 0.38x |
| 49 | [Our Lady of the Lake University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/our-lady-of-the-lake-university) | San Antonio, TX | 44% | $48,675 | $16,442 | $24,999 | 0.51x |
| 50 | [Texas Lutheran University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/texas-lutheran-university) | Seguin, TX | 55% | $53,863 | $24,654 | $25,000 | 0.46x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Bachelor's Programs in Texas." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-texas

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.