Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Texas
The lowest net prices among colleges with an Academic Excellence grade of B or better.
Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Texas20 schools
20 schools qualify, ranked by net 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 net price from federal data (the average yearly cost after grants, College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by net price, lowest first.
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 Dallas
Richardson, TX · Public#8 in Texas
- Net price $18,267 a year
- 76% graduate
- 3
- 4
University of St. Thomas
Houston, TX · Private nonprofitTop 22% for graduation
- Net price $19,359 a year
- 69% graduate
- 5
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · PublicHonor Roll#2 in Texas
- Net price $19,857 a year
- 89% graduate
- 6
- 7
- 8
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX · PublicHonor Roll#6 in Texas
- Net price $21,315 a year
- 84% graduate
- 9
- 10
- 11
Trinity University
San Antonio, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#3 in Texas
- Net price $23,464 a year
- 84% graduate
- 12
Saint Edward's University
Austin, TX · Private nonprofit#22 in Texas
- Net price $25,578 a year
- 63% graduate
- 13
Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX · Private nonprofit#20 in Texas
- Net price $26,182 a year
- 59% graduate
- 14
LeTourneau University
Longview, TX · Private nonprofit#17 in Texas
- Net price $28,185 a year
- 59% graduate
- 15
Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio
San Antonio, TX · Private for-profitTop 10% for graduation
- Net price $29,104 a year
- 81% graduate
- 16
- 17
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX · Private nonprofit#11 in Texas
- Net price $29,224 a year
- 73% graduate
- 18
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#5 in Texas
- Net price $36,660 a year
- 86% graduate
- 19
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#4 in Texas
- Net price $40,892 a year
- 84% graduate
- 20
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice University | About $13,000 | $11,000 | $89,718 | 95% |
| The University of Texas at Dallas | About $18,000 | $18,000 | $68,227 | 76% |
| Texas Tech University | About $19,000 | $21,500 | $62,454 | 69% |
| University of St. Thomas | About $19,000 | $19,928 | $59,224 | 69% |
| The University of Texas at Austin | About $20,000 | $20,500 | $75,121 | 89% |
| Wade College | About $21,000 | $22,938 | $36,657 | 54% |
| Austin College | About $21,000 | $24,500 | $61,296 | 67% |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | About $21,000 | $17,804 | $72,097 | 84% |
| Criswell College | About $22,000 | $25,346 | $43,185 | 50% |
| University of Dallas | About $23,000 | $23,117 | $58,285 | 73% |
| Trinity University | About $23,000 | $22,954 | $71,668 | 84% |
| Saint Edward's University | About $26,000 | $24,803 | $58,826 | 63% |
| Abilene Christian University | About $26,000 | $24,250 | $55,736 | 59% |
| LeTourneau University | About $28,000 | $26,000 | $57,103 | 59% |
| Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio | About $29,000 | $24,166 | $61,480 | 81% |
| Parker University | About $29,000 | $12,288 | $42,091 | 74% |
| Southwestern University | About $29,000 | $25,000 | $56,878 | 73% |
| Texas Christian University | About $37,000 | $21,500 | $68,424 | 86% |
| Southern Methodist University | About $41,000 | $19,500 | $78,354 | 84% |
| Baylor University | About $41,000 | $23,000 | $65,793 | 80% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 47
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15