Best Grad Schools In Texas 2024

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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.

10 Best Grad Schools in Texas

Sort by:
  1. University of Texas at Austin
  2. Texas A&M University
  3. Rice University
  4. University of Houston
  5. Southern Methodist University
  6. Baylor University
  7. Texas Tech University
  8. University of Texas at Dallas
  9. University of North Texas
  10. University of Texas at Arlington
  1. University of Texas at Austin
  2. Rice University
  3. Texas A&M University
  4. University of Houston
  5. Southern Methodist University
  6. Baylor University
  7. Texas Tech University
  8. University of North Texas
  9. University of Texas at Dallas
  10. University of Texas at Arlington
  1. University of Texas at El Paso 100%
  2. Sam Houston State University 97%
  3. University of the Incarnate Word 94%
  4. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 94%
  5. University of Texas at Arlington 93%
  6. University of Texas at San Antonio 90%
  7. Lamar University 88%
  8. St. Mary's University, Texas 88%
  9. University of Texas at Dallas 87%
  10. Houston Christian University 85%
  1. University of Texas at San Antonio 27 to 1
  2. University of North Texas 26 to 1
  3. University of Texas at Dallas 25 to 1
  4. University of Texas at Arlington 24 to 1
  5. University of Houston 23 to 1
  6. Texas State University 22 to 1
  7. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 21 to 1
  8. University of Texas at El Paso 21 to 1
  9. Sam Houston State University 21 to 1
  10. Texas A&M University 19 to 1
  1. Southern Methodist University $60,236
  2. Rice University $52,895
  3. Texas Christian University $51,660
  4. Baylor University $50,232
  5. University of Dallas $46,864
  6. Abilene Christian University $39,350
  7. Houston Christian University $35,500
  8. St. Mary's University, Texas $34,564
  9. University of the Incarnate Word $33,100
  10. University of Texas at Dallas $14,564
  1. Rice University $49,279
  2. Baylor University $37,674
  3. University of Dallas $33,750
  4. Texas Christian University $32,220
  5. Southern Methodist University $30,672
  6. Abilene Christian University $24,174
  7. St. Mary's University, Texas $18,684
  8. University of the Incarnate Word $18,540
  9. University of Texas at Dallas $15,088
  10. University of Texas at Austin $12,050
  1. Stephen F. Austin State University
  2. Houston Christian University
  3. Prairie View A&M University
  4. University of the Incarnate Word
  5. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
  6. Lamar University
  7. University of Dallas
  8. St. Mary's University, Texas
  9. Abilene Christian University
  10. Sam Houston State University
  1. Houston Christian University
  2. University of the Incarnate Word
  3. Stephen F. Austin State University
  4. Prairie View A&M University
  5. Abilene Christian University
  6. Lamar University
  7. University of Dallas
  8. St. Mary's University, Texas
  9. University of Texas at San Antonio
  10. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
  1. Rice University 9%
  2. University of Texas at Austin 29%
  3. Southern Methodist University 53%
  4. Texas Christian University 54%
  5. Baylor University 57%
  6. University of Dallas 58%
  7. Texas Southern University 63%
  8. Texas A&M University 64%
  9. University of Houston 66%
  10. Texas Tech University 68%
  1. Rice University 6 to 1
  2. Southern Methodist University 11 to 1
  3. University of the Incarnate Word 12 to 1
  4. St. Mary's University, Texas 12 to 1
  5. University of Dallas 12 to 1
  6. Texas Christian University 13 to 1
  7. Abilene Christian University 13 to 1
  8. Texas Southern University 14 to 1
  9. Baylor University 15 to 1
  10. Stephen F. Austin State University 16 to 1
  1. Sam Houston State University $5,856
  2. Lamar University $6,228
  3. University of Texas at San Antonio $6,237
  4. Texas Southern University $6,941
  5. Prairie View A&M University $7,387
  6. University of Texas at El Paso $7,704
  7. Stephen F. Austin State University $7,842
  8. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley $7,857
  9. University of North Texas $8,295
  10. Texas A&M University $8,578
  1. Prairie View A&M University $5,191
  2. Stephen F. Austin State University $5,262
  3. Sam Houston State University $5,765
  4. University of Texas at El Paso $5,865
  5. University of North Texas $6,350
  6. Lamar University $6,471
  7. Texas Southern University $6,858
  8. Texas A&M University $6,885
  9. Texas Tech University $6,956
  10. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley $7,002

Key Takeaways

  • The majority of the best grad schools in Texas are located in Fort Worth, San Antonio, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Houston, Dallas, and Austin.
  • Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin are some of world’s most prominent universities with a rolling admission of over 40,000 students yearly. These two schools always top the national rankings.
  • Texas is not only home to a few of the biggest schools in the US but also several small liberal arts colleges and well-known private colleges and universities that offer a vast selection of master’s and doctoral degrees.

Texas’ Pride: The Country’s Top Grad Schools

Texas is the second largest state, which means bigger or greater options for advanced education. Texas is home to the first Space Center, Smithsonian-worthy institutions, and more airports than any other state in America. Prospective students for graduate degrees can find a rare combination of protected history and urban innovation in the Lone Star state.

Cost of Higher Education in Texas

A public university in Texas charges in-state students an average of $8,000 for tuition and other fees. Nearly twice as much is charged to out-of-state students as it is to in-state students. Remember that this does not include other college costs, such as housing, food, and transportation.

At a Texas public institution, the average cost for in-state students, including housing and food, is $18,000. If you decide to study at a private institution, you should expect to spend at least $48,000 yearly.

Since location affects costs like rent, food, and gas, it also helps to calculate the overall cost of college. Certain locations, like Dallas, have a higher cost of living than others. Cities like Amarillo and Brownsville, as well as more remote areas, are among Texas’s least expensive neighborhoods.

The cheapest graduate schools in Texas include:

  • Texas Southern University ($7,660)
  • University of Texas Rio Grande Valley($9,541)
  • University of Texas at El Paso ($9,544)
  • Lamar University ($10,586)
  • Stephen F. Austin State University ($10,600)
  • Sam Houston State University ($10,756)
  • The University of Texas at San Antonio ($10,966)
  • Prairie View A&M University ($11,299)
  • Texas State University ($11,851)
  • Texas Tech University ($11,852)
  • The University of Texas at Arlington ($11,728)
  • University of Houston ($11,870)
  • University of North Texas ($11,994)
  • The University of Texas at Dallas ($14,564)

If you’re an out-of-state student, expect to pay twice the in-state tuition.

The most expensive graduate schools in Texas include:

How to Lower the Cost of Graduate Programs in Texas

Become a Resident of the State

If you’re an out-of-state student, working on your residency status is important. Texas requires you to spend a full year in the state before you are regarded as a resident.

Unfortunately, being in the state for one year as a college student in a dorm room on campus does not count. What you can do is rent an apartment instead of living on campus. It’s also important to have the right paper trails, including a driver’s license in the state, registering to vote, and paying taxes.

Talk to the Financial Aid Office

Contact the financial assistance office if you have your eye on a specific college but are concerned about the expense of attending as an out-of-state student. Getting financial aid, scholarships, and grants can help cut the cost of attending college.

Attend a Public College or University

Enrolling in a public college or university is the way to go if you really want to save money. The Texas government funds public colleges, which reduces a student’s tuition and fees significantly. Public universities have fewer requirements and more lenient admissions than private institutions.

Transfer Credits

Students can lower their overall college expenses by transferring credits from previous education. To be able to transfer credits, make sure that your last degree is from an accredited institution.

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


Texas's Best Grad Schools Badge
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There are 45 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Texas. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Texas is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Texas 2023

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    29%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    54K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1340/29

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Texas at Austin

    Cost of Degree: $11,698
    Expenses: $18,548
    Starting Salary: $73,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. #2

    Texas A&M University

    College Station , TX
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    75K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1270/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Texas A&M University

    Cost of Degree: $12,605
    Expenses: $19,014
    Starting Salary: $67,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #3

    Rice University

    Houston , TX
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $53K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/35

    Career Outlook for degree at Rice University

    Cost of Degree: $54,960
    Expenses: $19,150
    Starting Salary: $91,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. #4

    University of Houston

    Houston , TX
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    52K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1215/25

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Houston

    Cost of Degree: $9,699
    Expenses: $16,102
    Starting Salary: $60,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    57%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    22K

    Career Outlook for degree at Baylor University

    Cost of Degree: $51,738
    Expenses: $18,433
    Starting Salary: $58,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. #7

    Texas Tech University

    Lubbock , TX
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    68%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    43K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1155/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Texas Tech University

    Cost of Degree: $11,852
    Expenses: $16,170
    Starting Salary: $61,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    47K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1145/23

    Career Outlook for degree at University of North Texas

    Cost of Degree: $11,140
    Expenses: $15,158
    Starting Salary: $49,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  8. Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    39K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/22

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Texas at San Antonio

    Cost of Degree: $9,227
    Expenses: $14,898
    Starting Salary: $49,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Texas at San Antonio known for?

    University of Texas at San Antonio’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  9. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Texas at El Paso

    Cost of Degree: $9,544
    Expenses: $14,640
    Starting Salary: $43,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #15

    Texas State University

    San Marcos , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    42K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/22

    Career Outlook for degree at Texas State University

    Cost of Degree: $11,135
    Expenses: $15,860
    Starting Salary: $51,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    57%

    Student body

    25K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1045/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Sam Houston State University

    Cost of Degree: $8,960
    Expenses: $16,154
    Starting Salary: $49,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  12. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Abilene Christian University

    Cost of Degree: $40,400
    Expenses: $16,022
    Starting Salary: $48,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  13. #19

    University of Dallas

    Irving , TX
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $47K

    Acceptance

    58%

    Graduation

    72%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1240/26

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Dallas

    Cost of Degree: $48,000
    Expenses: $18,430
    Starting Salary: $51,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  14. #23

    Prairie View A&M University

    Prairie View , TX

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    10K

    Median SAT/ACT

    955/18

    Career Outlook for degree at Prairie View A&M University

    Cost of Degree: $11,299
    Expenses: $15,556
    Starting Salary: $40,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  15. Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    53%

    Student body

    14K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1065/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Stephen F. Austin State University

    Cost of Degree: $10,600
    Expenses: $14,518
    Starting Salary: $46,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
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Texas’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. University of Texas at Austin
  2. Rice University
  3. Texas A&M University
  4. University of Houston
  5. Southern Methodist University
  6. University of Texas at Dallas
  7. Texas Tech University
  8. Baylor University
  9. University of North Texas
  10. University of Texas at Arlington
  11. Sam Houston State University
  12. Texas Christian University
  13. Houston Christian University
  14. St. Mary's University, Texas
  15. Texas State University
  16. University of Dallas
  17. Abilene Christian University
  18. Texas A&M International University
  19. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
  20. University of St. Thomas
  21. Hardin–Simmons University
  22. Stephen F. Austin State University
  23. West Texas A&M University
  24. University of the Incarnate Word
  25. Dallas Baptist University
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