The Best Texas Colleges

The Best Colleges in Texas for 2023

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in Texas as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2023 as the best overall college in Texas is Rice University. The top rated public state college is The University of Texas at Austin. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


52 results

Rice University
R
Houston, TX

Rice University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Colleges in America

  • 8,285enrollment
  • $19,215net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.96Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Trinity University
T
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 2,704enrollment
  • $31,141net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1468SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Southern Methodist University
S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 12,385enrollment
  • $41,444net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

The University of Texas at Austin
T
Austin, TX

The University of Texas at Austin

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in America

  • 51,991enrollment
  • $16,892net price
  • 29%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1500SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

Texas Christian University
T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 11,938enrollment
  • $40,220net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Texas A & M University College Station
T
College Station, TX

Texas A & M University College Station

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#21 Best Public Universities in America

  • 72,530enrollment
  • $19,906net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1380SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 1

Baylor University
B
Waco, TX

Baylor University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 20,626enrollment
  • $40,133net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1350SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Southwestern University
S
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,504enrollment
  • $29,830net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Austin College
A
Sherman, TX

Austin College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Value Colleges in Texas

  • 1,228enrollment
  • $24,085net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1340SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

University of Dallas
D
Irving, TX

University of Dallas

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,538enrollment
  • $27,450net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1390SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

The University of Texas at Dallas
T
Richardson, TX

The University of Texas at Dallas

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Value Colleges in Texas

  • 29,696enrollment
  • $11,185net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1450SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.78Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

LeTourneau University
L
Longview, TX

LeTourneau University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,209enrollment
  • $25,661net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1370SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA

Abilene Christian University
A
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 4,912enrollment
  • $28,725net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1270SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Texas Tech University
T
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 40,542enrollment
  • $15,452net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1280SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.76Avg GPA

University of Houston
H
Houston, TX

University of Houston

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 47,031enrollment
  • $14,480net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

The University of Texas at Tyler
T
Tyler, TX
 

The University of Texas at Tyler

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,687enrollment
  • $11,658net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 24

Dallas Baptist University
D
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 4,340enrollment
  • $26,062net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 940-1200SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA

St. Mary's University
S
San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,432enrollment
  • $18,827net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15