Texas’s Best Graduate Schools of 2021
Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Texas offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.
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.
What are Texas’s Colleges & Universities?
- 28 Research Universities
- 46 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 43 Graduate Schools
- 36 Public Colleges & Universities
- 38 Private Colleges & Universities
- 36 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 39 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 44 Affordable Colleges (below national average of $16,000/year)
- 55 Community Colleges
Texas’s Best Overall
We have identified 43 doctorate-granting universities in Texas; 29 of which meet the criteria below:
- It must be a non-profit institution.
- It must be fully accredited.
- It must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.
- It must have a graduation rate of greater than 40%.
How do we determine Texas's best graduate schools?
The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why influence gets at the heart of what is truly best in education. At the undergraduate level, the best colleges and universities are those with the highest concentration of influence. Our Concentrated Influence metric adjusts overall influence by size of undergraduate student body, thus allowing smaller schools to compete with larger schools so long as they have proportionately as strong influential faculty and alums.
But at the graduate level, the combined influence score of a college or university’s top academic influencers is the best indicator of academic excellence. Overall influence, and not influence controlled by other variables, thus becomes the best gauge of academic excellence at the graduate level. Where smaller size is an advantage at the undergraduate level (hence Concentrated Influence), graduate studies benefit from a large and vibrant community of graduate students, who promise to become the new generation of academic influencers.
25 Best Grad Schools in Texas
- #1University of Texas at Austin#43 institution's overall influence#43 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
39%
Graduation
81%
Student body
45K
Median SAT/ACT
1355/30
Austin, TXView profile
What is University of Texas at Austin known for?
University of Texas at Austin's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Physics
- Earth Sciences
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Communications
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- History
- Psychology
- Sociology
Most Influential Alumni
- #2Rice University#90 institution's overall influence#15 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
11%
Graduation
93%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1505/34
Houston, TXView profile
What is Rice University known for?
Rice University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Physics
- Earth Sciences
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Biology
- Economics
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
Most Influential Alumni
- #3Texas A&M University#183 institution's overall influence#91 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
80%
Student body
58K
Median SAT/ACT
1275/28
College Station, TXView profile
What is Texas A&M University known for?
Texas A&M University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Engineering
- Sociology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Business
- Political Science
- Mathematics
- Earth Sciences
- Criminal Justice
- Physics
Most Influential Alumni
- #4University of Houston#253 institution's overall influence#1064 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
62%
Graduation
51%
Student body
37K
Median SAT/ACT
1220/25
Houston, TXView profile
What is University of Houston known for?
University of Houston's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Business
- Social Work
- Engineering
- Literature
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Computer Science
- History
- Nursing
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #5Southern Methodist University#303 institution's overall influence#1324 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$54K
Acceptance
51%
Graduation
79%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1370/31
Dallas, TXView profile
What is Southern Methodist University known for?
Southern Methodist University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Law
- Religious Studies
- Anthropology
- Earth Sciences
- Business
- Engineering
- Communications
- History
- Education
- Computer Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #6University of Texas at Dallas#520 institution's overall influence#222 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
69%
Graduation
67%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1330/28
Richardson, TXView profile
What is University of Texas at Dallas known for?
University of Texas at Dallas's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Criminal Justice
- Earth Sciences
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Biology
- Economics
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
- #7Texas Tech University#385 institution's overall influence#1458 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
60%
Student body
34K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/24
Lubbock, TXView profile
What is Texas Tech University known for?
Texas Tech University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Engineering
- Criminal Justice
- Communications
- Business
- Mathematics
- Earth Sciences
- Computer Science
- History
- Economics
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
- #8Baylor University#397 institution's overall influence#96 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$46K
Acceptance
39%
Graduation
74%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1280/28
Waco, TXView profile
What is Baylor University known for?
Baylor University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Nursing
- Medical
- Business
- Sociology
- History
- Education
- Law
- Communications
- Chemistry
Most Influential Alumni
- #9University of North Texas#455 institution's overall influence#1391 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
52%
Student body
33K
Median SAT/ACT
1160/23
Denton, TXView profile
What is University of North Texas known for?
University of North Texas's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Business
- Political Science
- Social Work
- Chemistry
- Communications
- Criminal Justice
- Engineering
- Literature
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
- #10University of Texas at Arlington#607 institution's overall influence#1113 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
48%
Student body
39K
Median SAT/ACT
1160/23
Arlington, TXView profile
What is University of Texas at Arlington known for?
University of Texas at Arlington's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Communications
- Biology
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Economics
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
- #11Sam Houston State University#782 institution's overall influence#1048 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
51%
Student body
18K
Median SAT/ACT
1070/21
Huntsville, TXView profile
What is Sam Houston State University known for?
Sam Houston State University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Communications
- Nursing
- Business
- Education
- Biology
- Literature
- Medical
- Computer Science
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #12Texas Christian University#764 institution's overall influence#208 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$47K
Acceptance
41%
Graduation
77%
Student body
10K
Median SAT/ACT
1246/28
Fort Worth, TXView profile
What is Texas Christian University known for?
Texas Christian University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- History
- Business
- Communications
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- Biology
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
- #13Houston Baptist University#1383 institution's overall influence#270 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
44%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1115/22
Houston, TXView profile
What is Houston Baptist University known for?
Houston Baptist University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Literature
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- History
- Medical
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #14St. Mary's University, Texas#1468 institution's overall influence#282 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
59%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1150/24
San Antonio, TXView profile
What is St. Mary's University, Texas known for?
St. Mary's University, Texas's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Law
- Communications
- Criminal Justice
- Political Science
- Literature
- Business
- Sociology
- Education
- Social Work
Most Influential Alumni
- #15Texas State University#1438 institution's overall influence#1318 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
46%
Graduation
54%
Student body
33K
Median SAT/ACT
1095/23
San Marcos, TXView profile
What is Texas State University known for?
Texas State University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Nursing
- Criminal Justice
- Business
- History
- Political Science
- Medical
- Literature
- Education
- Sociology
Most Influential Alumni
- #16University of Dallas#1301 institution's overall influence#1419 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$41K
Acceptance
39%
Graduation
67%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1230/26
Irving, TXView profile
What is University of Dallas known for?
University of Dallas's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Economics
- Political Science
- Physics
- Literature
- Mathematics
- Education
- Computer Science
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
- #17Abilene Christian University#1463 institution's overall influence#771 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
62%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/24
Abilene, TXView profile
What is Abilene Christian University known for?
Abilene Christian University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Chemistry
- Criminal Justice
- History
- Social Work
- Literature
- Communications
- Education
- Psychology
- Nursing
Most Influential Alumni
- #18Texas A&M International University#2160 institution's overall influence#896 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
52%
Graduation
41%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1015/18
Laredo, TXView profile
What is Texas A&M International University known for?
Texas A&M International University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Sociology
- Criminal Justice
- Medical
- Communications
- Business
- Psychology
- Engineering
- Political Science
- Nursing
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #19University of Texas Rio Grande Valley#2446 institution's overall influence
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
41%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1035/19
Edinburg, TXView profile
What is University of Texas Rio Grande Valley known for?
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Criminal Justice
- Medical
- Sociology
- Physics
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Chemistry
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
- #20University of St. Thomas#2153 institution's overall influence
Tuition + fees
$34K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
60%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/23
Houston, TXView profile
What is University of St. Thomas known for?
University of St. Thomas's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Communications
- Medical
- Religious Studies
- Psychology
- Chemistry
- Education
- Business
- Literature
Most Influential Alumni
- #21Hardin–Simmons University#1216 institution's overall influence#1182 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
84%
Graduation
52%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1085/21
Abilene, TXView profile
What is Hardin–Simmons University known for?
Hardin–Simmons University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Literature
- History
- Earth Sciences
- Medical
- Communications
- Business
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Nursing
Most Influential Alumni
- #22Stephen F. Austin State University#2182 institution's overall influence#1254 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
44%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1085/21
Nacogdoches, TXView profile
What is Stephen F. Austin State University known for?
Stephen F. Austin State University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Social Work
- Engineering
- Business
- Communications
- History
- Nursing
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
- #23West Texas A&M University#2236 institution's overall influence#1327 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
44%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1070/21
Canyon, TXView profile
What is West Texas A&M University known for?
West Texas A&M University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Business
- Medical
- Nursing
- History
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Communications
Most Influential Alumni
- #24University of the Incarnate Word#2961 institution's overall influence#507 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$31K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
56%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1045/19
San Antonio, TXView profile
What is University of the Incarnate Word known for?
University of the Incarnate Word's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Religious Studies
- Medical
- Criminal Justice
- Psychology
- Communications
- Computer Science
- Education
- Business
- History
Most Influential Alumni
- #25Dallas Baptist University#3319 institution's overall influence#1101 overall school desirability
Tuition + fees
$29K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
60%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1180/22
Dallas, TXView profile
What is Dallas Baptist University known for?
Dallas Baptist University's faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Communications
- Medical
- Criminal Justice
- Religious Studies
- Political Science
- Education
- Business
- Computer Science
- History
Most Influential Alumni
