Rankings / By State
Best Education Colleges in Texas
- 50
- Schools
- $50,108
- Avg. Earnings
- 42%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,604
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,923
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $32,992 at the low end to $68,424 at the top. That 2.1× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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South Texas College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $36,788 against $1,751 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is South Texas College, at $1,751 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Texas Christian University graduates 86% of its students, well above the 42% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Paris Junior College: graduates owe only 0.15× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Texas Woman's University ($56,544 earnings), not the highest earner, Texas Christian University ($68,424). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. South Texas College ($1,751/yr) and Texas Christian University ($36,660/yr) produce graduates earning $36,788 and $68,424 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $34,909 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, South Texas College outperforms Texas Christian University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with South Texas College and Texas Christian University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $53K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Texas Woman's University #1 overall | $56,544 ▲ +13% vs avg | $11,963 | 47% | 75 |
| 2 The University of Texas at Tyler #2 overall | $57,053 ▲ +14% vs avg | $13,323 | 51% | 74 |
| 3 East Texas A&M University #3 overall | $50,296 ▲ +0% vs avg | $11,841 | 44% | 74 |
| $54,211 ▲ +8% vs avg | $16,404 | 55% | 73 | |
| $56,073 ▲ +12% vs avg | $12,723 | 42% | 73 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Education Colleges in Texas
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $50,108 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 42% and an average net price of $15,604.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: South Texas College — Net Price: $1,751 | Graduation Rate: 27%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Texas Christian University — 86% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Texas Christian University — Median alumni earnings: $68,424
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Educator Pipeline Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the educator pipeline?
$52,867
Median earnings (10yr)
42%
Median graduation rate
$15,606
Median net price
2.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Society needs more teachers than it is producing, yet pay and working conditions make retention a persistent problem. Education programs are the gateway to the profession. The best of them pair pedagogical training with strong clinical practice and placement networks that keep graduates in the profession.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $52,867 ten years after enrollment, or about $4,867 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 42%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $15,606 a year with about $21,030 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 41% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.5%.
In education, low debt matters as much as a solid paycheck. Graduates earn a median of $52,867 against a typical net price of $15,606. That ratio makes cost-conscious program selection essential in a profession with modest pay and a public mission.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Texas Woman's University lands at #1 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (68/100). Graduates earn a median $56,544 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,963 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
The University of Texas at Tyler lands at #2 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (69/100). Graduates earn a median $57,053 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,323 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
East Texas A&M University lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $50,296 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,841 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Sam Houston State University lands at #4 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $54,211 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,404 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
The University of Texas Permian Basin lands at #5 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $56,073 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,723 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Sul Ross State University lands at #6 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $41,871 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,286 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
McMurry University lands at #7 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $48,779 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,581 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of North Texas lands at #8 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,010 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,649 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Texas State University lands at #9 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $56,906 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,805 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Texas Christian University lands at #10 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $68,424 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,660 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Midwestern State University lands at #11 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $55,747 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,656 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
San Antonio, TX · 87% accepted · $10,836 net
Why it ranks #12
The University of Texas at San Antonio lands at #12 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $57,131 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,836 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Texas Tech University lands at #13 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $62,454 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,070 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
The University of Texas at El Paso lands at #14 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,923 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,403 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Southwestern Adventist University lands at #15 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $52,946 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,778 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Hardin-Simmons University lands at #16 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,771 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,555 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Dallas Baptist University lands at #17 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $56,807 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,516 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Southwestern University lands at #18 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $56,878 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,224 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Howard Payne University lands at #19 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $48,376 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,627 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Odessa College lands at #20 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $42,026 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,368 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Abilene Christian University lands at #21 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $55,736 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,182 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Lubbock Christian University lands at #22 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $53,787 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,456 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
LeTourneau University lands at #23 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $57,103 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,185 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor lands at #24 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $56,132 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,106 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Texas Wesleyan University lands at #25 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,053 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,066 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Paris Junior College lands at #26 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $36,515 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,690 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Wayland Baptist University lands at #27 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $51,838 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,590 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
East Texas Baptist University lands at #28 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $52,788 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,911 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
University of Houston-Clear Lake lands at #29 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $59,004 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,563 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Our Lady of the Lake University lands at #30 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $48,675 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,442 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Texas A & M International University lands at #31 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $48,386 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,637 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
El Paso Community College lands at #32 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $35,212 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,206 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Texas Lutheran University lands at #33 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $53,863 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,654 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
University of Houston-Downtown lands at #34 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,551 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,542 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Texas A&M University-Victoria lands at #35 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $54,467 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,109 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Texas Southern University lands at #36 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $38,924 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,590 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Texas A&M University-Texarkana lands at #37 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $45,515 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,997 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Corpus Christi, TX · 89% accepted · $15,225 net
Why it ranks #38
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi lands at #38 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $51,865 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,225 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Howard College lands at #39 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by social mobility (45/100). Graduates earn a median $38,382 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,147 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Houston Christian University lands at #40 with a 58/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $55,933 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,629 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Huston-Tillotson University lands at #41 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $42,937 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,719 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
North American University lands at #42 with a 57/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (96/100) and pulled down by social mobility (41/100). Net price runs $18,721 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Wiley University lands at #43 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (68/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $33,159 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,092 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Nelson University lands at #44 with a 55/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (59/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $46,238 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,662 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Dallas College lands at #45 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (38/100). Graduates earn a median $41,714 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,214 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Jarvis Christian University lands at #46 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $32,992 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,825 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
University of North Texas at Dallas lands at #47 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (49/100). Net price runs $6,420 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Northwest Vista College lands at #48 with a 53/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $42,490 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,525 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
South Texas College lands at #49 with a 53/100 composite, led by value per dollar (97/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (29/100). Graduates earn a median $36,788 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,751 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Texas Southmost College lands at #50 with a 53/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by social mobility (37/100). Graduates earn a median $41,900 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,085 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Finding the right education program can be daunting, especially in a state as large and diverse as Texas. With 50 colleges offering various paths for aspiring educators, families need to look closely at what these institutions truly deliver. A clear starting point is understanding graduation rates and net price, which are key indicators of student success and financial commitment.
What sets the strongest schools apart in this list is their performance on critical metrics: earnings after graduation, completion rates, and levels of student debt. For instance, schools like Texas A & M International University and Texas Woman's University demonstrate how these factors intersect to shape an educational experience. The rankings below reflect these outcomes, giving families a clearer picture of potential return on investment for their education.
Take Texas A & M International University and Howard College, for example. A & M boasts a higher graduation rate at 48% compared to Howard's 35%. However, Howard offers a lower net price of $6,147 versus A & M's $3,637. These contrasting figures highlight the trade-offs families face when choosing a school, underscoring the importance of aligning educational goals with financial realities.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 33 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.5%. South Texas College leads the group at 6.9%, with The University of Texas at El Paso (6.8%) and Sul Ross State University (5.2%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 13.1% of students start in the bottom income quintile. South Texas College leads at 52.4%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 22.7% across this list. East Texas A&M University posts the highest success rate at 44.7%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.51 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Texas Christian University reaches 1.78, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When we compare Texas Woman's University and The University of Texas Permian Basin, we see a clear picture of how different approaches can yield different outcomes. Texas Woman's University graduates earn an average of $56,544, while UT Permian Basin graduates earn slightly more at $56,073. However, UT Permian has a higher graduation rate of 42% compared to Texas Woman's 47%, indicating different challenges and successes in their respective programs.
As you sift through the 50 schools on this list, consider what matters most for you or your student. Think about location, program fit, and campus culture alongside the numbers. A lower net price might be attractive, but it’s also important to weigh potential earnings against the debt incurred. Each school has its strengths, and your choice should reflect personal priorities and circumstances.
The data here reflects a broader trend in education: the journey from college to a stable career is influenced heavily by the choices we make today. One family might choose a school with a lower cost but risks a lower graduation rate, while another may opt for a higher-cost option with better outcomes. These decisions are not just numbers; they shape futures and impact lives in very tangible ways.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Education Colleges in Texas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Education Colleges in Texas ranking? +
Texas Woman's University in Denton, TX ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Education Colleges in Texas ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $56,544 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 47% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Texas Christian University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $68,424 ten years after enrollment, well above the $50,108 average across the 48 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, South Texas College leads: graduates earn a median $36,788 against net price of about $1,751 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Texas Christian University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 86%, compared with a 42% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $15,604 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. South Texas College is among the most affordable at roughly $1,751. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Education Colleges in Texas ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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