The 10 Most Expensive Colleges in Texas Will Cost You an Arm and a Leg

Texas is home to some world-renowned colleges and universities. Every year, hundreds of thousands of students continue their education in the Lone Star State. But annually, the prices of colleges are rising and rising. In fact, the average cost of tuition and fees at a public university in the United States is around $26,000 a year. Private schools are around double that, with the average cost coming in at over $55,000 a year.

Education is a big investment. For students attending these colleges and universities in Texas, their annual bill is rather high. This list is organized by “sticker price,” which accounts for tuition and fees but leaves out housing costs. Additionally, it’s important to note that many students will receive tuition aid in the form of grants or scholarships, so prices could be much lower.

When you’re pursuing higher education, take a thorough look at the financial aid opportunities offered by the institution. Some are general, while others are major-specific. You can also investigate financial aid opportunities through outside resources, such as foundations that grant scholarships. So while the sticker price on these colleges and universities might be intimidating, there’s a great potential that your costs could be lower.

Read on to discover the ten most expensive colleges and universities in the state of Texas!

10. Austin College

The tenth-most expensive college in Texas is Austin College. Austin College is a private liberal arts college in San Antonio, Texas. It’s sticker price comes in at the cost of $46,475 for the 2023-24 school year. However, students are getting a lot of value out of attending the institution. Austin College was ranked as the #8 best college in the state of Texas.

9. University of Dallas

The University of Dallas takes the ninth-place spot for most expensive universities in Texas. The school has an annual sticker price of $47,300. This is a private Catholic university, with an annual cost well below the national average for private universities in America. However, as is the case with most academic institutions, the school offers both need-based and merit-based financial aid. It’s highly possible to pay well below this price.

8. St. Edward’s University

With a sticker price of $50,484, St. Edward’s University takes the spot as the eighth-most expensive university in Texas. The school offers 55 majors and boasts an excellent student to staff ratio, making the argument that the higher price is worth the investment! Generally, most students receive a significant percentage of this price off through need-based and merit-based financial aid.

7. Southwestern University

Located in Georgetown, Texas, the seventh-most expensive university in Texas is Southwestern University. This institution’s sticker price comes in at $50,558 , making it only slightly more expensive annually than St. Edward’s. Southwestern University is a private liberal college known for its top-notch arts and sciences curriculum. Southwestern University awards very generous merit-based scholarships up to $33,000 annually. If you are seeking to attend Southwestern, be sure to investigate financial aid options.

6. Trinity University

Trinity University takes the sixth-place spot of the most expensive colleges in Texas, with a sticker price of $51,352. Located in San Antonio, Texas, Trinity University boasts a robust list of liberal arts offerings, with over 100 majors to choose from. Many students in attendance at Trinity University receives some form of financial aid which lowers the cost of attendance, sometimes significantly.

5. Baylor University

Baylor University is the fifth-most pricy institution in Texas, with an annual sticker price of $54,844. However, a vast majority of the students in attendance receive some form of financial aid, with 86% being merit-related. Baylor is a private Christian university located in Waco, Texas. It’s important to note that many universities charge their tuition based on the number of credit hours a student is enrolled in. Baylor University charges a flat rate for students taking over 12 credits in a semester, meaning that you can really milk your education at the institution without paying significantly more!

4. Texas Christian University

The fourth-most expensive university or college in Texas is the well-known Texas Christian University. TCU has a sticker price of $57,220, making it the first private institution on this list with a price over the national average. Texas Christian University is known for its Division I football team, the Texas Horned Frogs. TCU offers merit-based scholarships for academic performance, as well as talent-based scholarships for more artistic majors like dance and theater.

3. Rice University

The third-most expensive school in Texas is Rice University. Rice University’s annual sticker price is $58,128. Like many of the schools on this list, Rice University is a private institution. It’s located in Houston, Texas. Rice University is a prestigious and rigorous research institution that offers over 50 different undergraduate majors. The school’s emphasis is on science and engineering, but there are seven different schools of study offered at Rice.

2. The University of Texas at Austin

The second-most expensive school in Texas is the University of Texas at Austin. The University of Texas at Austin has a sticker price of around $59,146, though it varies slightly depending on which school the student attends. Additionally, students who are from within the state receive a massive discount off of the sticker price. The University of Texas at Austin has a calculator to see which tuition prices are applicable, as they vary from student to student.

1. Southern Methodist University

And finally, we have the most expensive university or college in Texas: Southern Methodist University. Southern Methodist University’s annual sticker price is $64,460, well-exceeding the national average cost of private academic institutions. Southern Methodist University is located in Dallas, Texas and has an undergraduate student body of just over 7,000 individuals.

Summary of the Most Expensive Schools in Texas

Texas is home to some pretty pricy institutions. While these schools are all costly, only a few fall over the national average in their category. If you’re looking to attend university in Texas, be sure to investigate all options, including financial aid, to find the best school for you. Merit-based and need-based opportunities exist at all of the institutions discussed above to help lighten the financial investment.

Here’s a summary of the most expensive academic institutions in Texas: