10 Best Universities & Colleges in Texas

10 Best Universities & Colleges in Texas

Texas is a state in the South Central region of the United States. It is the 2^nd largest state in the US and has a population of about 29 million.

The state is home to several colleges and universities located in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, El Paso, Corpus Christi and Austin.

Two of the largest and publicly funded universities, the University of Texas and Texas A&M University, have an enrolment of about 40,000 undergraduate students.

These two universities have been ranked 21^st and 41^st respectively by the World University Rankings report 2020.

There are also midsize colleges, small liberal arts schools and several notable private colleges and prestigious research universities.

If you are looking into pursuing higher education in Texas, here are the 10 best universities and colleges in Texas.

1. University of Texas (UT) – Austin

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University of Texas – Austin is a public institution that was founded in 1883. Its undergraduate programs have about 40,048 students.

The university was ranked 38^th in the Best Colleges and National Universities 2021 edition.

As a highly rated public university, UT’s admission policy is equally competitive with an acceptance rate of 32%. Students who have graduated from UT were ranked among the top 10 in the country.

There are 13 schools and colleges, the biggest being the College of Liberal Arts. Popular majors at this university include Business, Biology, and Economics.

If you are looking for a graduate program, then UT has some of the best-ranked programs. They include McCombs School of Business, Cockrell School of Engineering and School of Nursing.

Website: https://www.utexas.edu/

2. Southern Methodist University (SMU) – Dallas

Southern Methodist University is a private institution that was founded in 1911. It is however non-sectarian in its teaching. Several of the students enrolled here come from different religious backgrounds.

SMU has eight schools: School of Business, College of Humanities and Sciences, School of Law, School of Engineering, School of the Arts, School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, School of Theology, and School of Education and Human Development. These schools cater for undergraduate, master and doctorate programs.

The campus is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Centre, which has a Bush administration museum, library and public policy institute.

Students in SMU students gain hands-on learning in courses such as anthropology, biology and astronomy.

Website: https://www.smu.edu/

3. University of Houston – Houston

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U of H was founded in 1927 and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. This is the 3^rd largest university in Texas with over 46,000 students.

The campus spans over 667 acres in southeast Houston. Between 1983 and 1991, this institution was known as the University of Houston–University Park.

It is one of the universities in Texas that has been classified under group R1 for doctoral universities with very high research activity.

There are 19 academic colleges with over 282 programs. Some of the popular programs at U of H are architecture, law, optometry, medicine, and pharmacy.

U of H has several student-led organizations and sports clubs. 

Website: https://www.uh.edu/

4. University of Texas (UTEP) – El Paso

This is another public research university in El Paso, Texas and is a member of the University of Texas System.

Moreover, UTEP is the second-largest university in the country and the majority of the students are Mexican American.

Just like U of H, UTEP is also classified under R1 for Doctoral Universities with Very high research activity.

At UTEP, the School of Engineering is the country’s top producer of engineers with M.S. and PhD degrees.

There are 9 colleges at this university that offers several programs for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

It is at the UTEP campus that you will find buildings designed in Dzong architectural style outside of Bhutan.

UTEP is also the only institution in the United States that offers a bilingual M.F.A. creative writing program.

Website: https://www.utep.edu/

5. Rice University – Houston

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This is a private university that was founded in 1912. Rice has a total undergraduate enrolment of 4,076. In 2021, it was ranked 17^th among the Best Colleges and National Universities. 

The School of Architecture and the Shepherd School of Music offer some of the most popular programs at Rice University.

Other schools at Rice University are the School of Social Sciences, School of Humanities and the Wiess School of Natural Sciences.

Rice University students get to enjoy dynamic life on campus and off-campus. There are several entertainment joints that are student-run.

Freshmen get assigned to one of 11 residential colleges, of which they remain members. The residential colleges cater for their accommodation, dining and academic events.

Website: https://www.rice.edu/

6. South Texas College of Law (STLC) – Houston

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The South Texas College of Law was founded in 1923. It is a private institution that offers bachelor’s degree programs.

If you are looking into pursuing law in an institution with a small student population, then STCL is the college for you since it is accredited by: The American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

Its moot court program was ranked among the best in the nation.

There are several academic and non-academic facilities for students such as a library, financial aids and exchange programs.

Website: https://www.stcl.edu/

7. Austin College – Sherman

Austin College was chartered in 1849 and remains one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Texas. It is a private university with a student population of about 2000.

It is popularly known for its nationally recognized five-year Master of Arts in Teaching program, and its pre-medical, international studies, and pre-law programs.

Students can also choose from more than 40 academic majors.

Austin College also offers a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aid and exchange programs.

Website: https://www.austincollege.edu/

8. South Texas College (STC) – Rio Grande

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South Texas College is a public community college. The college was founded in 1993 with the purpose of serving Hidalgo and Starr counties. 

It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award Baccalaureate and Associate degrees.

STC offers more than 127 degree and certificate options, including associate degrees in a variety of liberal art, social science, business, math, science, technology, advanced manufacturing, and allied health fields of study.

The student population at STC is about 31,000 across its 6 campuses in Texas.

Website: https://www.southtexascollege.edu/

9. Midland College – Midland

This is a public college that was established as an independent junior college in 1972. Its first classes were held three years later.

The college focuses on providing higher education, community services, and cultural enrichment to its student community.

Additionally, it has a rich and exciting range of opportunities and services, as well as a quality educational experience that is both affordable and comfortable.

The school also has campuses in other parts of Midland and in Fort Stockton, Texas, the Pecos County seat.

Midland College has many programs and options for our students. It offers certificates in office management, tourism, marketing, financial management, International Computer Driving License and welding.

Website: https://www.midland.edu/

10. Dallas Christian College (DCC) – Dallas

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Dallas Christian College was established in 1950 as a private higher education institution.  It is a Christian college affiliated with the Christian Church and accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education.

The popular majors offered at DCC are degrees in philosophy, religious studies, religious literature among others. 

DCC also has athletics scholarships that attract and support as many students as possible. Some of the eligible sports baseballs, cross country and soccer

Website: https://www.dallas.edu/