Texas is home to one of the most diverse and affordable public university systems in the country. For Texas residents, in-state tuition at major state schools is among the lowest of any large state — and the Texas Grant program provides significant additional aid for eligible families.
Here's a data-driven look at the best affordable colleges in Texas, ranked by the combination of net price and graduate earnings.
How we evaluated affordability
We used two federal data points from the College Scorecard for every Texas college:
- Average net price: what students actually pay after grants and scholarships (not the sticker price)
- Median earnings 10 years after enrollment: real salary outcomes from tax records, not self-reported surveys
The combination of low net price and strong earnings is the truest measure of college value. A cheap school with poor outcomes isn't a bargain — and an expensive school with strong outcomes can still be worth the investment.
Best value public universities in Texas
The University of Texas at Austin is the flagship of the UT System and consistently delivers strong graduate outcomes across engineering, business, natural sciences, and the arts. In-state tuition is approximately $11,000/year. After grants, average net price for aid recipients is around $12,000âÃÂÃÂ$15,000/year depending on family income. Median earnings 10 years out are among the highest in the state. Austin's rapid growth as a tech and business hub has significantly strengthened career outcomes for UT graduates in recent years.
Texas A&M University is the largest university in the US by enrollment and one of the strongest values in engineering, agriculture, business, and veterinary sciences in the country. College Station is affordable — cost of living is low — and A&M's massive alumni network (the "Aggie Network") is actively engaged in recruiting and mentoring. In-state net price after aid is competitive with any public school in the state.
The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) has quietly emerged as one of the strongest values in Texas for technology, computer science, and business programs. Located in the Plano/Richardson tech corridor — home to major campuses for Samsung, Cisco, AT&T, and dozens of large employers — UTD graduates have direct access to a concentration of tech employment rivaling Silicon Valley in some disciplines. Net price after grants is typically $8,000âÃÂÃÂ$12,000/year for Texas residents who qualify for aid.
The University of Texas at Tyler offers exceptionally low net cost for Texas residents — average net price for aid recipients is among the lowest in the state system. UT Tyler has been expanding programs in business, nursing, and engineering technology. East Texas location means lower living costs. For students seeking a UT degree with a manageable debt load, Tyler represents strong value, particularly in health sciences and education.
Texas Tech University in Lubbock offers strong programs in engineering, business, agriculture, and health sciences at an in-state net price that is consistently below the state average. Texas Tech's petroleum engineering and wind energy programs benefit from West Texas's position as an energy production hub. Lubbock's cost of living is among the lowest of any major college town in the state.
University of Houston sits in the heart of the Houston metropolitan area — the energy capital of North America — and its engineering, business, and petroleum programs have direct connections to the oil and gas industry that is less accessible at any school outside Texas. UH's net price for Houstonians who commute is extremely competitive, and the school has significantly upgraded its campus and academic programs over the past decade.
Strong regional schools with outstanding value
Texas State University in San Marcos has grown rapidly to become one of the largest universities in Texas. Located between Austin and San Antonio, it draws heavily from both metros and has developed strong health sciences (nursing and physical therapy are highly regarded), education, and business programs. Net price is competitive and the Bobcat network is strong in Central Texas industries.
University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton is a strong value in the DFW metroplex. UNT's College of Music is among the most respected in the country; business, computer science, and visual arts programs are strong. Net price is low for North Texas residents. Denton's proximity to Dallas and Fort Worth means abundant internship and career access without the cost premium of living inside either city.
UT Arlington is one of the most diverse universities in the country and has developed strong programs in nursing, engineering, and computer science. Located between Dallas and Fort Worth, it provides easy access to the DFW metro job market. Large commuter and working-adult population keeps costs manageable; net price for students receiving aid is competitive.
Texas Grant and other state aid
Texas residents who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the TEXAS Grant (Toward EXcellence, Access and Success) — one of the most generous state grant programs in the country. The grant covers tuition and required fees at public Texas colleges and universities, and can reduce net price to near zero for qualifying families at regional schools.
To qualify, students generally need to:
- Be a Texas resident
- Have completed the Foundation High School Program (or equivalent)
- Demonstrate financial need (as determined by FAFSA/TASFA)
- Enroll in a Texas public institution within 16 months of high school graduation
The TEXAS Grant is renewable for up to 75 credit hours if students maintain satisfactory academic progress. For families earning below $50,000/year, this grant can make a Texas public university effectively free or near-free.
How to compare Texas colleges on DecideMyCampus
Go to the Texas colleges page on DecideMyCampus to see all Texas institutions sorted by a combination of earnings and cost. You can filter by major to see which Texas school has the strongest outcomes for the program your student wants to pursue — both publish first-destination surveys with median starting salaries by concentration. This data is more specific than federal earnings figures, which capture all programs and include students who left before graduating.
Bottom line
UT Austin and Texas A&M lead in overall outcomes, but UT Dallas, UT Tyler, Texas Tech, and UH offer strong alternatives at lower net prices for Texas residents — particularly in engineering, business, health sciences, and energy-related fields. The TEXAS Grant program means that for lower-income Texas families, attending a Texas public university may have a lower out-of-pocket cost than any other option in the country.
Compare net price against earnings for your specific major. For Texas residents, the math almost always favors staying in-state.