Best colleges under $20,000 a year in Texas
The highest-rated colleges whose average yearly price after grants is under $20,000.
Best colleges under $20,000 a year in Texas5 schools
5 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Texas.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Net price (average yearly cost after grants) under $20,000 from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Rice University
Houston, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Texas
- Net price $13,370 a year
- 95% graduate
- 2
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · PublicHonor Roll#2 in Texas
- Net price $19,857 a year
- 89% graduate
- 3
The University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, TX · Public#8 in Texas
- Net price $18,267 a year
- 76% graduate
- 4
- 5
University of St. Thomas
Houston, TX · Private nonprofitTop 22% for graduation
- Net price $19,359 a year
- 69% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice University | $13,370 | $11,000 | $89,718 | 95% |
| The University of Texas at Austin | $19,857 | $20,500 | $75,121 | 89% |
| The University of Texas at Dallas | $18,267 | $18,000 | $68,227 | 76% |
| Texas Tech University | $19,070 | $21,500 | $62,454 | 69% |
| University of St. Thomas | $19,359 | $19,928 | $59,224 | 69% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.