College Compass GuideTrue north for every college search.

Colleges with the biggest discount off the sticker price in Texas

Colleges whose average price after grants is furthest below their published sticker price.

Colleges with the biggest discount off the sticker price in Texas20 schools

20 schools qualify, ranked by discount off the sticker price.

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 a sticker price (cost of attendance) and a net price (average yearly cost after grants) from federal data (College Scorecard).
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by the discount, sticker price minus net price, largest first.

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

  1. 1

    Rice University

    Houston, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #1 in Texas

    • $66,418 off the sticker price
    • Net price $13,370 a year
  2. 2

    University of Dallas

    Irving, TX · Private nonprofit

    #13 in Texas

    • $45,973 off the sticker price
    • Net price $22,610 a year
  3. 3

    Trinity University

    San Antonio, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #3 in Texas

    • $44,760 off the sticker price
    • Net price $23,464 a year
  4. 4

    Southern Methodist University

    Dallas, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #4 in Texas

    • $44,714 off the sticker price
    • Net price $40,892 a year
  5. 5

    Saint Edward's University

    Austin, TX · Private nonprofit

    #22 in Texas

    • $41,141 off the sticker price
    • Net price $25,578 a year
  6. 6

    Austin College

    Sherman, TX · Private nonprofit

    #14 in Texas

    • $40,500 off the sticker price
    • Net price $21,107 a year
  7. 7

    Texas Christian University

    Fort Worth, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #5 in Texas

    • $39,944 off the sticker price
    • Net price $36,660 a year
  8. 8

    Southwestern University

    Georgetown, TX · Private nonprofit

    #11 in Texas

    • $38,269 off the sticker price
    • Net price $29,224 a year
  9. 9

    Baylor University

    Waco, TX · Private nonprofit

    #7 in Texas

    • $33,122 off the sticker price
    • Net price $41,104 a year
  10. 10

    Abilene Christian University

    Abilene, TX · Private nonprofit

    #20 in Texas

    • $33,074 off the sticker price
    • Net price $26,182 a year
  11. 11

    University of St. Thomas

    Houston, TX · Private nonprofit

    Top 22% for graduation

    • $26,313 off the sticker price
    • Net price $19,359 a year
  12. 12

    LeTourneau University

    Longview, TX · Private nonprofit

    #17 in Texas

    • $22,939 off the sticker price
    • Net price $28,185 a year
  13. 13

    Parker University

    Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit

    #11 in Texas

    • $13,032 off the sticker price
    • Net price $29,135 a year
  14. 14

    The University of Texas at Dallas

    Richardson, TX · Public

    #8 in Texas

    • $11,540 off the sticker price
    • Net price $18,267 a year
  15. 15

    The University of Texas at Austin

    Austin, TX · PublicHonor Roll

    #2 in Texas

    • $11,390 off the sticker price
    • Net price $19,857 a year
  16. 16

    Texas A&M University-College Station

    College Station, TX · PublicHonor Roll

    #6 in Texas

    • $11,381 off the sticker price
    • Net price $21,315 a year
  17. 17

    Texas Tech University

    Lubbock, TX · Public

    #18 in Texas

    • $8,373 off the sticker price
    • Net price $19,070 a year
  18. 18

    Criswell College

    Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit

    #25 in Texas

    • $6,118 off the sticker price
    • Net price $21,630 a year
  19. 19

    Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio

    San Antonio, TX · Private for-profit

    Top 10% for graduation

    • $5,461 off the sticker price
    • Net price $29,104 a year
  20. 20

    Wade College

    Dallas, TX · Private for-profit

    #15 in Texas

    • $4,728 off the sticker price
    • Net price $20,778 a year

Compare cost and outcomes

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

0 school selectedCompare

What would it cost your family?

Pick your family’s yearly income. Each college then shows what families like yours paid on average after grants and scholarships (federal data).

Reach, Target or Likely?

Enter an SAT or ACT to sort every college in this search.

Will you get in?

Enter your SAT or ACT. We compare it with the middle range of students the college admitted.