Texas’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

Texas’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

What are the best colleges and universities in Texas if you reward schools for making the best use of their limited resources? Academic Stewardship asks how effectively schools manage their financial and human resources to gain the influence that makes them academically excellent. Schools that are exemplary in Academic Stewardship are doing everything in their power to help students and faculty achieve their full potential.

Colleges and universities in Texas deserve to be recognized when they do more with less. It’s impressive when a large wealthy school can spend money lavishly on expensive buildings and programs. But it’s even more impressive when a small school with limited means is able to train and inspire students that the larger wealthier schools tend to ignore.

The American Association of Colleges and Universities reported in late 2021 that almost 75 percent of higher-education professionals at US colleges and universities felt financial constraints prevented their schools from effectively attracting students. Distracted by the size and amenities of larger schools, prospective students tended especially to be overawed by the big research universities.

Texas’s smaller colleges, especially its liberal arts colleges, need effective ways of communicating their value to a world that celebrates “bigger is better” and “you need the best.” Unfortunately, most college ranking companies, such as U.S. News & World Report, define “best” in a way that devalues schools with smaller budgets and fewer students even when these schools do remarkable work in advancing their students’ education. By and large, college rankings penalize schools that serve underserved populations.

Inspired by Malcolm Gladwell, who for years now has criticized conventional college rankings for misrepresenting what’s good and valuable in education, we decided to construct a new ranking metric that highlights those schools that do more with less. That metric—called the Academic Stewardship metric—takes away both the size and the wealth advantage of schools, and focuses instead on how well schools use the resources available to them to advance the education of their students.

How We Measure the Academic Stewardship of Texas’s Colleges and Universities

Texas's Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
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As a metric, Academic Stewardship is defined by a precise mathematical formula, which can be found in our Academic Stewardship white paper. Measuring the Academic Stewardship of Texas’s colleges requires measuring two forms of stewardship: 1) Stewardship of financial resources (using the money they have responsibility without waste) and 2) Stewardship of human resources (doing their best to help students, faculty, and administration to flourish). Together, these two types of stewardship form what we call  Academic Stewardship. If you want to learn more about the factors involved in Academic Stewardship, click the more button below.

  1. Stewardship of financial resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of financial resources, we factored in its undergraduate size, budget, endowments and reserves, as well as tuition and fees. All these data are available from the National Center for Educational Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. In addition, we factored in a school’s financial responsibility as gauged by the Federal Student Aid Office at the US Department of Education through its financial responsibility composite scores.
  2. Stewardship of human resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of human resources, we used our InfluenceRanking engine to track the influence of the school’s faculty and alumni but also to control for size of the undergraduate student body. We’ve found that measuring a school’s influence based on the contributions of faculty and alumni make in their fields of study but then also controlling for size of the undergraduate population is the single best indicator of academic excellence. We call this Concentrated Influence. Schools that rank highly in Concentrated Influence are schools that, given their available human resources, invest heavily in their students and faculty, and the results are demonstrable.
    • We measure the influence of colleges and universities based on the publications and citations of the schools’ faculty and alumni who are teaching in and working in areas related to their degrees. To do this, we take publicly available databases, such as Semantic Scholar, Crossref, and Wikipedia and use these to measure the influence of academics in their disciplines. Having measured the influence of persons, we then identify the schools that they’re affiliated with, adding up the influence scores of the faculty and alumni to measure the influence of the schools and their disciplinary programs. Finally, we control these influence scores by size of undergraduate student body so that schools do not score high in influence simply because of a size advantage. We lay out these methodological considerations on our methodology page.
  3. Academic Stewardship: Having measured a school’s stewardship of financial and human resources in the two previous points, we now divide the second measure by the first to define the Academic Stewardship metric. This metric spotlights smaller schools, with fewer financial resources and people, that invest wisely and do proportionately better in building influence than large wealthy schools. Many of these smaller, less wealthy schools are incentivized to make better use of their resources but would never get recognized in conventional school rankings, which directly or indirectly put a premium on the wealth of schools.

Academic Stewardship as so defined is connected to keeping tuition and other costs down, but it should not be confused with affordability or frugality. The schools that this metric ranks as exemplary academic stewards tend to be all over the map when it comes to tuition and other costs. At issue is the influence of schools given the financial and human resources they have on hand. If a school is going to charge more for tuition, then that needs to be reflected in the school having proportionately greater influence.

Why Academic Stewardship Matters to Students and Their Families

The benefits of attending a school with strong academic stewardship include:

  • A clear reason for why students are at the school in the first place. Without the distraction of amenities and luxuries, these schools are at once unpretentious but also passionately committed to their educational mission. The schools in this ranking are financially efficient and academically rigorous. By avoiding frills, these schools take the most direct path to accomplishing their mission of educating students.
  • Valuing character over prestige and self-indulgence. A school that’s a good steward of its resources doesn’t instill shame in its students over what they are missing (such as elite cuisine) but rather pride in what they have and making the most of it. These schools exhibit a culture of good stewardship, which tends to build good character in the students that attend these schools.
  • Avoiding the spoiled-student syndrome. It’s easy to think that offering students endless options and opportunities will enrich their time at school in every way. But spoiling people—whether in business, sports, or academics—has the opposite effect, causing people to take their advantages for granted and in the end achieving less than they might otherwise, a point well-documented in Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code. Schools exhibiting academic stewardship avoid this pitfall.
  • The best schools vs. the schools that help students to be their best. Students at schools demonstrating outstanding academic stewardship aren’t so much concerned about being at the “best” school, whatever that may mean, as about being at a school that helps them to be their best. These schools pay attention to their students, hoping that any glory goes to them rather than to the school. Small schools, and especially liberal arts colleges, help themselves by communicating this advantage to prospective students.
  • Emphasizing development over talent and achievement. Schools like Harvard and Stanford have their pick of academic talent, and their students have a long record of achievement even before they apply to such elite schools. But if a school doesn’t have the resources of a Harvard or Stanford, how does it build a great team of students? In that case, it must focus on student development. Colleges exemplifying academic stewardship emphasize student growth and development, ensuring that the schools are doing everything in their power to help students reach their full potential and thereby become their best selves.
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Texas’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

  1. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    29%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    948/18

  2. Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1080/21

    What is Concordia University Texas known for?

    Concordia University Texas’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Concordia University Texas’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAAS in Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice & Criminology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication
    Degree Concentrations
    • Public Relations and Advertising Concentration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Multidisciplinary
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/22

    Houston Christian University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Managerial Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Marketing
    • Required Credits: 125
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Managerial Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Management
    • Required Credits: 125
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 125
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Theological Studies
    • Required Credits: 125
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Biblical Studies
    • Required Credits: 125
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 125
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 27
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/24

    Abilene Christian University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Digital Media
    Degree Concentrations
    • Film Production
    • General Track
    • Graphic Design
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Leadership
    • Human Resource Management
    • Operations
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Marketing
    Degree Concentrations
    • General Track
    • Analytics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Organizational Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Technology Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Cyber Security
    • App Development
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Integrated Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Customized
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Applied Communication
    Degree Concentrations
    • Organizational Change
    • Healthcare Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Child and Family Services
    Degree Concentrations
    • General Track
    • Child Life
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Christian Service and Formation
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Communication Disorders
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health and Human Performance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Change Management
    • General Track
    • Public and Community Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    63%

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    965/18

    Texas Southern University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Administration of Justice
    • Required Credits: 99
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Emergency Management & Homeland Security
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. #14

    Midwestern State University

    Wichita Falls , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1005/19

  7. #15

    Angelo State University

    San Angelo , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1020/20

    Angelo State University’s Online Degrees

    BSS in Border and Homeland Security
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSS in Intelligence and Analysis
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBS in Border Security
    Degree Concentrations
    • AU-ABC (Enlisted Airmen Only)
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BIA in Intelligence and Analysis
    Degree Concentrations
    • AU-ABC (Enlisted Airmen Only)
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
  8. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1085/21

  9. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1125/23

    University of Texas at Tyler’s Online Degrees

    BAAS in Applied Arts & Sciences
    Degree Concentrations
    • General Studies
    • Business Occupations
    • Healthcare Management
    • Health Occupations
    • Human Behavior
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  10. Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    94%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1045/20

    University of the Incarnate Word’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Human Resources
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Development
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • General Business
    • Information Systems
    • Marketing
    • Social Marketing
    • Management
    • Project Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Leadership Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. #21

    Lamar University

    Beaumont , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1041/20

    Lamar University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Entrepreneurship
    • General Business
    • Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Industrial Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 30
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1091/19

  13. Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/21

    Stephen F. Austin State University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Communication and Corporate Education
    • General Track
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Sciences
    Degree Concentrations
    • Human Development and Family Studies
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • EC-6 Teacher Certification
    • 4-8 Teacher Certification
    • Special Education Teacher Certification
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  14. Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    20K

    University of Texas at El Paso’s Online Degrees

    BA in Media Advertising
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Security Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAAS in Applied Arts and Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Chicano Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational and Corporate Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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Texas’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

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Colleges and Universities in Texas

Texas offers more than 30 colleges and universities that serve communities of 10,000 students or more. The largest school in the bunch (and in the nation), Texas A&M University in College Station serves more than 65,000 students. The University of Texas at Austin is the next largest, serving about 45,000 students - but it too has a big claim to fame, as the wealthiest public university in the United States. Texas’s private colleges and universities, including Baylor University and Southern Methodist University, are also impressive in size and scope. The majority of these schools have religious affiliations and offer degrees in a variety fields, such as nursing, religious studies, criminal justice, business, and education.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

For students who prefer a more intimate educational environment, Texas offers a long list of smaller public and private colleges and universities, such as Abilene Christian University and University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Additionally, Texas has generous loan forgiveness programs for qualifying nurses, physicians, teachers, legal aid attorneys, and lawyers who work in the Texas Attorney General’s office.

Texas is known for doing things big. Big cities, big open spaces and, of course, big fun. Whether you’re hitting up the live music scene in Austin, catching a Cowboys game in Dallas, or strolling down the River Walk in San Antonio, you’re sure to have a good time. And, with more than 150 higher education institutes, it’s safe to say The Lone Star State is big on education too.

If you’re looking to earn your degree in the state of Texas, you’ll have plenty of higher learning institutes to choose from.


What are Texas’s Colleges & Universities?

Texas’s Best Overall