College Compass GuideTrue north for every college search.

Colleges that spend the most on teaching in Texas

Colleges ranked by instructional spending for each full-time-equivalent student.

Colleges that spend the most on teaching in Texas20 schools

20 schools qualify, ranked by teaching spending per student.

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).
  • Has instructional spending per full-time-equivalent student from federal data (College Scorecard).
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by instructional spending per student, highest first.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    Rice University

    Houston, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #1 in Texas

    • $47,816 on teaching per student
    • 6 students per faculty member
  2. 2

    Criswell College

    Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit

    #25 in Texas

    • $22,814 on teaching per student
    • 5 students per faculty member
  3. 3

    Trinity University

    San Antonio, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #3 in Texas

    • $22,157 on teaching per student
    • 8 students per faculty member
  4. 4

    Texas Christian University

    Fort Worth, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #5 in Texas

    • $20,405 on teaching per student
    • 14 students per faculty member
  5. 5

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Austin, TX · PublicHonor Roll

    #2 in Texas

    • $20,294 on teaching per student
    • 18 students per faculty member
  6. 6

    Texas A&M University-College Station

    College Station, TX · PublicHonor Roll

    #6 in Texas

    • $19,596 on teaching per student
    • 20 students per faculty member
  7. 7

    Southern Methodist University

    Dallas, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #4 in Texas

    • $18,509 on teaching per student
    • 11 students per faculty member
  8. 8

    Austin College

    Sherman, TX · Private nonprofit

    #14 in Texas

    • $17,782 on teaching per student
    • 11 students per faculty member
  9. 9

    Southwestern University

    Georgetown, TX · Private nonprofit

    #11 in Texas

    • $17,431 on teaching per student
    • 11 students per faculty member
  10. 10

    Baylor University

    Waco, TX · Private nonprofit

    #7 in Texas

    • $15,852 on teaching per student
    • 15 students per faculty member
  11. 11

    University of Dallas

    Irving, TX · Private nonprofit

    #13 in Texas

    • $12,940 on teaching per student
    • 11 students per faculty member
  12. 12

    The University of Texas at Dallas

    Richardson, TX · Public

    #8 in Texas

    • $12,056 on teaching per student
    • 23 students per faculty member
  13. 13

    University of St. Thomas

    Houston, TX · Private nonprofit

    Top 22% for graduation

    • $12,002 on teaching per student
    • 16 students per faculty member
  14. 14

    LeTourneau University

    Longview, TX · Private nonprofit

    #17 in Texas

    • $11,090 on teaching per student
    • 11 students per faculty member
  15. 15

    Saint Edward's University

    Austin, TX · Private nonprofit

    #22 in Texas

    • $11,064 on teaching per student
    • 12 students per faculty member
  16. 16

    Parker University

    Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit

    #11 in Texas

    • $10,470 on teaching per student
    • 8 students per faculty member
  17. 17

    Abilene Christian University

    Abilene, TX · Private nonprofit

    #20 in Texas

    • $10,340 on teaching per student
    • 13 students per faculty member
  18. 18

    Texas Tech University

    Lubbock, TX · Public

    #18 in Texas

    • $8,554 on teaching per student
    • 20 students per faculty member
  19. 19

    Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio

    San Antonio, TX · Private for-profit

    Top 10% for graduation

    • $5,627 on teaching per student
    • 12 students per faculty member
  20. 20

    Wade College

    Dallas, TX · Private for-profit

    #15 in Texas

    • $4,705 on teaching per student
    • 11 students per faculty member

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Rice University$13,370$11,000$89,71895%
Criswell College$21,630$25,346$43,18550%
Trinity University$23,464$22,954$71,66884%
Texas Christian University$36,660$21,500$68,42486%
The University of Texas at Austin$19,857$20,500$75,12189%
Texas A&M University-College Station$21,315$17,804$72,09784%
Southern Methodist University$40,892$19,500$78,35484%
Austin College$21,107$24,500$61,29667%
Southwestern University$29,224$25,000$56,87873%
Baylor University$41,104$23,000$65,79380%
University of Dallas$22,610$23,117$58,28573%
The University of Texas at Dallas$18,267$18,000$68,22776%
University of St. Thomas$19,359$19,928$59,22469%
LeTourneau University$28,185$26,000$57,10359%
Saint Edward's University$25,578$24,803$58,82663%
Parker University$29,135$12,288$42,09174%
Abilene Christian University$26,182$24,250$55,73659%
Texas Tech University$19,070$21,500$62,45469%
Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio$29,104$24,166$61,48081%
Wade College$20,778$22,938$36,65754%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

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