In the academic year 2019/20, the average tuition cost for attending college in Texas is $4,974 and $16,104 for in-state and out-of-state students respectively.
Among all Texas colleges, Rio Grande Valley College in Pharr has the lowest tuition and fees ($900) whereas the most expensive tuition and fees ($88,000) are found at Gemini School of Visual Arts and Communication in Cedar Park.
Among the best colleges and universities in Texas, the average annual cost of undergraduate tuition and fees is $11,244 (in-state) or $40,621 (out-of-state).
However, there are also many colleges where quality education comes at a far more affordable rate. For an overview of the best colleges and universities in Texas, check below. Also, students that earned their GED s online will, usually, have financial hard times in college, so check this post out really well!
In this article, we take a closer look at which colleges in Texas offer the most affordable in-state tuition and fees and in the second part, we take a look at the colleges with the highest tuition rates. But be realistic. How much student debt is too much? Keep that in mind when deciding on a school.
First, let’s take a closer look at the 47 colleges that will set you back less than $3,000 annually for tuition and fees if you are a Texas resident.
Most affordable colleges in Texas
| Name | In-state | Out-of-state |
| Rio Grande Valley College, Pharr 5419 N Cage Blvd, Pharr, TX 78577 Phone: (956) 781-6800 |
$900 | $900 |
| The Healthcare Institute, San Antonio 1822 Fredericksburg Rd, San Antonio, TX 78201 Phone: (210) 692-3262 |
$1,145 | $1,145 |
| Collin College, McKinney 2200 W University Dr, McKinney, TX 75071 Phone: (972) 548-6790 |
$1,624 | $3,004 |
| Alvin Community College, Alvin 3110 Mustang Rd, Alvin, TX 77511 Phone: (281) 756-3500 |
$1,682 | $2,786 |
| Lone Star College, The Woodlands 5000 Research Forest Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77381 Phone: (832) 813-6500 Check here for an overview of all community colleges in Texas |
$1,724 | $4,244 |
| Tarrant County College, Fort Worth 1500 Houston St, Fort Worth, TX 76102 Phone: (817) 515-8223 |
$1,728 | $3,402 |
| Brookhaven College, Farmers Branch 3939 Valley View Ln, Farmers Branch, TX 75244 Phone: (972) 860-4700 |
$1,770 | $3,330 |
| Cedar Valley College, Lancaster 3030 N Dallas Ave, Lancaster, TX 75134 Phone: (972) 860-8201 |
$1,770 | $3,330 |
| Eastfield College, Mesquite 3737 Motley Drive, Mesquite, TX 75150 Phone: (972) 860-7100 |
$1,770 | $3,330 |
| El Centro College, Dallas 801 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202 Phone: (214) 860-2000 |
$1,770 | $3,330 |
| Mountain View College, Dallas 4849 W Illinois Ave, Dallas, TX 75211 Phone: (214) 860-8680 |
$1,770 | $3,330 |
| Richland College, Dallas 12800 Abrams Rd, Dallas, TX 75243 Phone: (972) 238-6100 |
$1,770 | $3,330 |
| North Lake College, Irving 5001 N MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX 75038 Phone: (972) 273-3000 |
$1,770 | $3,330 |
| College of the Mainland, Texas City 1200 N Amburn Rd, Texas City, TX 77591 Phone: (409) 938-1211 |
$1,773 | $2,973 |
| Houston Community College, Houston 3100 Main St, Houston, TX 77002 Phone: (713) 718-2000 |
$1,848 | $4,152 |
| Panola College, Carthage 1109 W Panola St, Carthage, TX 75633 Phone: (903) 693-2000 |
$2,016 | $3,432 |
| Galveston College, Galveston 4015 Ave Q, Galveston, TX 77550 Phone: (409) 944-4242 |
$2,050 | $2,650 |
| Kilgore College, Kilgore 1100 Broadway Blvd, Kilgore, TX 75662 Phone: (903) 983-8209 |
$2,064 | $3,960 |
| Amarillo College, Amarillo 2201 S Washington St, Amarillo, TX 79109 Phone: (806) 371-5000 |
$2,136 | $3,168 |
| Lee College, Baytown 200 Lee Dr, Baytown, TX 77520 Phone: (281) 427-5611 |
$2,166 | $3,762 |
| Odessa College, Odessa 201 W University Blvd, Odessa, TX 79764 Phone: (432) 335-6400 |
$2,184 | $3,384 |
| South Plains College, Levelland 1401 College Ave, Levelland, TX 79336 Phone: (806) 716-2366 |
$2,240 | $3,704 |
| Texarkana College, Texarkana 2500 N Robison Rd, Texarkana, TX 75599 Phone: (903) 823-3456 |
$2,308 | $3,652 |
| Wharton County Junior College, Wharton 911 E Boling Hwy, Wharton, TX 77488 Phone: (979) 532-4560 |
$2,352 | $3,576 |
| Hill College, Hillsboro 112 Lamar Dr, Hillsboro, TX 76645 Phone: (254) 582-2555 |
$2,382 | $2,982 |
| Brazosport College-Lake Jackson 500 College Blvd, Richwood, TX 77566 Phone: (979) 230-3000 |
$2,397 | $3,297 |
| North Central Texas College, Gainesville 1525 W California St, Gainesville, TX 76240 Phone: (940) 668-7731 |
$2,400 | $4,560 |
| Victoria College, Victoria 2200 E Red River St, Victoria, TX 77901 Phone: (361) 573-3291 |
$2,400 | $3,624 |
| Temple College, Temple 2600 S 1st St, Temple, TX 76504 Phone: (254) 298-8282 |
$2,424 | $4,200 |
| Paris Junior College, Paris 2400 Clarksville St, Paris, TX 75460 Phone: (903) 785-7661 |
$2,430 | $3,930 |
| Southwest Texas Junior College, Uvalde 2401 Garner Field Rd, Uvalde, TX 78801 Phone: (830) 278-4401 |
$2,502 | $4,062 |
| Austin Community College, Austin 1218 West Ave, Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 223-4222 |
$2,550 | $10,830 |
| Howard College, Big Spring 1001 Birdwell Ln, Big Spring, TX 79720 Phone: (432) 264-5000 |
$2,560 | $3,970 |
| Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf, Big Spring 3200 Avenue C, Big Spring, TX 79720 Phone: (432) 264-3700 |
$2,560 | $3,970 |
| Coastal Bend College, Beeville 3800 Charco Rd, Beeville, TX, 78102 Phone: (866) 722-2838 |
$2,633 | $4,493 |
| Trinity Valley Community College, Athens 100 Cardinal Dr, Athens, TX 75751 Phone: (903) 675-6200 |
$2,640 | $4,920 |
| Grayson College, Denison 6101 Grayson Dr, Denison, TX 75020 Phone: (903) 465-6030 |
$2,642 | $3,782 |
| Midland College, Midland 3600 N Garfield St, Midland, TX 79705 Phone: (432) 685-4500 |
$2,670 | $4,290 |
| Central Texas College, Killeen 6200 W Central Texas Expwy, Killeen, TX 76549 Phone: (254) 526-1107 |
$2,700 | $3,390 |
| Weatherford College, Weatherford 225 College Park Dr, Weatherford, TX 76086 Phone: (817) 594-5471 |
$2,710 | $4,330 |
| Navarro College, Corsicana 3200 W 7th Ave, Corsicana, TX 75110 Phone: (903) 874-6501 |
$2,742 | $4,452 |
| Western Texas College, Snyder 6200 College Ave, Snyder, TX 79549 Phone: (325) 573-8511 |
$2,790 | $4,200 |
| Angelina College, Lufkin 3500 S First St, Lufkin, TX 75904 Phone: (936) 639-1301 |
$2,820 | $4,380 |
| Del Mar College, Corpus Christi 101 Baldwin Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78404 Phone: (361) 698-1200 |
$2,868 | $4,275 |
| Rio Grande Bible Institute, Edinburgh 4300 S Business Hwy 281 Edinburg, TX 78539 Phone: (956) 380-8100 |
$2,916 | $2,916 |
| Blinn College, Brenham 902 College Ave, Brenham, TX 77833 Phone: (979) 830-4000 |
$2,928 | $4,296 |
| Tyler Junior College, Tyler 1327 S Baxter Ave, Tyler, TX 75701 Phone: (800) 687-5680 |
$2,962 | $4,762 |
To be able to pay for your college education, there are many options in Texas. Great support is also possible through the Texas College Access Loan (CAL) program that provides one more way for students to complete their college educations.
CAL loans enable students who are not able to pay for college in any other way to pay for college. Applicants to the Texas CAL program are required to submit a FASFA or TASFA and federal aid is deducted.
Further requirements are that the applicant is a Texas resident, that he/she is enrolled in a college course on at least a half-time basis for an associate, certificate, bachelor, graduate, or another academic degree. The loan is also available to students looking to earn an alternative educator certificate at an accredited institution.
Applicants to a Texas CAL loan must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress, must be in good credit standing, or have a financially sound cosigner who is at least 21 years of age, has a stable income, and is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Cosigners are equally responsible for repayments.
Most expensive colleges in Texas
In this second part, we take a look at the cost of attending the most expensive colleges in the state of Texas.
Across Texas, the average annual college tuition in the academic year 2018/19 was just over $10,820 for state residents. This puts Texas on the 16th place when it comes to the most affordable state to attend college. There are, however, so many scholarships available. You just need to port in a lot of work to find out which ones you may qualify for.
The following is an overview of 52 Texas colleges and universities with the highest cost of tuition and fees that will set you back over $20,000 annually. For all the listed school counts that in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees are the same. For the best colleges in Texas, check out this post.
| Name | Tuition and fees |
| Gemini School of Visual Arts & Communication 501 Prize Oaks Dr, Cedar Park, TX 78613 Phone: (512) 249-0187 |
$88,000 |
| Southern Methodist University 6425 Boaz Ln, Dallas, TX 75205 Phone: (214) 768-2000 |
$56,560 |
| Texas Christian University 2800 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76129 Phone: (817) 257-7000 |
$49,250 |
| Rice University 6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005 Phone: (713) 348-0000 (See also: The Best Colleges in Texas) |
$49,112 |
| Saint Edward’s University 3001 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 Phone: (512) 448-8400 |
$47,440 |
| Baylor University 1311 S 5th St, Waco, TX 76706 Phone: (254) 710-1011 (For Baylor University’s acceptance rate, check here) |
$47,364 |
| Carrington College 3733 W Emporium Cir, Mesquite, TX 75150 Phone: (972) 512-0252 |
$46,566 |
| Trinity University 1 Trinity Pl, San Antonio, TX 78212 Phone: (210) 999-7011 |
$44,680 |
| Universal Technical Institute of Texas-Houston 721 Lockhaven Dr, Houston, TX 77073 Phone: (281) 443-6262 |
$44,550 |
| Universal Technical Institute of Texas-Dallas Ft. Worth 5151 Regent Blvd, Irving, TX 75063 Phone: (972) 505-2200 |
$47,350 |
| Southwestern University 1001 E University Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626 Phone: (512) 863-6511 |
$43,560 |
| University of Dallas 1845 E Northgate Dr, Irving, TX 75062 Phone: (972) 721-5000 |
$42,680 |
| Hallmark University 10401 Frontage Rd, San Antonio, TX 78230 Phone: (210) 690-9000 |
$38,320 |
| Abilene Christian University 1600 Campus Ct, Abilene, TX 79601 Phone: (325) 674-2000 |
$36,300 |
| MediaTech Institute-Dallas 13300 Branch View Ln, Dallas, TX 75234 Phone: (972) 869-1122 |
$35,200 |
| Houston Baptist University 7502 Fondren Rd, Houston, TX 77074 Phone: (281) 649-3000 |
$33,450 |
| Concordia University Texas 11400 Concordia University Dr, Austin, TX 78726 Phone: (512) 313-3000 |
$32,860 |
| University of the Incarnate Word 4301 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209 Phone: (210) 829-6000 |
$32,576 |
| St. Mary’s University 1 Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX 78228 Phone: (210) 436-3011 |
$32,140 |
| Texas Wesleyan University 1201 Wesleyan St, Fort Worth, TX 76105 Phone: (817) 531-4444 |
$31,816 |
| University of St. Thomas 3800 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006 Phone: (713) 522-7911 |
$31,460 |
| LeTourneau University 2100 S Mobberly Ave, Longview, TX 75602 Phone: (800) 759-8811 |
$31,270 |
| Concord Career College 3015 West Interstate 20, Grand Prairie, TX 75052 Phone: (469) 532-0088 |
$30,888 |
| Texas Lutheran University 1000 W Court St, Seguin, TX 78155 Phone: (830) 372-8000 |
$30,860 |
| Schreiner University 2100 Memorial Blvd, Kerrville, TX 78028 Phone: (800) 343-4919 |
$30,470 |
| Dallas Baptist University 3000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211 Phone: (214) 333-7100 |
$30,320 |
| Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts 6020 Dillard Cir, Austin, TX 78752 Phone: (512) 451-5743 |
$30,260 |
| Hardin-Simmons University 2200 Hickory St, Abilene, TX 79601 Phone: (325) 670-1000 |
$30,140 |
| Galen College of Nursing 7411 John Smith Dr #1400, San Antonio, TX 78229 Phone: (210) 485-2222 |
$30,120 |
| University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 900 College St, Belton, TX 76513 Phone: (254) 295-8642 |
$29,700 |
| Our Lady of the Lake University 411 SW 24th St, San Antonio, TX 78207 Phone: (210) 434-6711 |
$29,218 |
| Howard Payne University 1000 Fisk St, Brownwood, TX 76801 Phone: (325) 649-8020 |
$29,198 |
| Dallas Nursing Institute 2101 Waterview Pkwy, Richardson, TX 75080 Phone: (469) 941-8300 |
$28,762 |
| The Vocational Nursing Institute 11201 Steeplepark Dr, Houston, TX 77065 Phone: (832) 237-2525 |
$28,500 |
| McMurry University 1400 Sayles Blvd, Abilene, TX 79697 Phone: (325) 793-3800 |
$28,099 |
| Vista College Online 300 N Coit Rd #300, Richardson, TX 75080 Phone: (888) 410-4297 |
$27,592 |
| East Texas Baptist University 1 Tiger Dr, Marshall, TX 75670 Phone: (903) 923-2000 |
$27,210 |
| Western Technical College 9624 Plaza Circle, El Paso, TX 7992 Phone: (866) 297-6127 |
$27,099 |
| Texas Health School 11511 Katy Fwy # 170, Houston, TX 77079 Phone: (713) 932-9333 |
$26,695 |
| K & G 5 Star Barber College 618 Farm to Market 517 Rd W, Dickinson, TX 77539 Phone: (409) 655-5718 |
$25,225 |
| Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies 345 S Texas Blvd, Weslaco, TX 78596 Phone: (956) 973-1945 |
$24,451 |
| Lincoln College of Technology 2915 Alouette Dr, Grand Prairie, TX 75052 Phone: (972) 660-5701 |
$24,266 |
| International Business College-El Paso 5700 Cromo Dr, El Paso, TX 79912 Phone: (915) 842-0422 |
$23,350 |
| Lubbock Christian University 5601 19th St, Lubbock, TX 79407 Phone: (806) 796-8800 |
$23,330 |
| Barber Institute of Texas 2430 S High St, Suite B5, Longview, TX 75602 Phone: (903) 236-9695 |
$23,025 |
| The Recording Conservatory of Austin 4615 City Park Rd, Austin, TX 78730 Phone: (512) 231-0344 |
$22,680 |
| Wayland Baptist University 1900 W 7th, Plainview, TX 79072 Phone: (806) 291-1000 |
$22,658 |
| Fortis College-Grand Prairie 401 Palace Pkwy #100, Grand Prairie, TX 75050 Phone: (972) 375-0006 |
$22,460 |
| Southwestern Adventist University 100 W Hillcrest St, Keene, TX 76059 Phone: (817) 645-3921 |
$22,188 |
| Florida Career College-Houston 70 FM 1960, Houston, TX 77090 Phone: (281) 895-1780 |
$21,500 |
| South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-Weslaco 2419 E Haggar Ave, Weslaco, TX 78596 Phone: (956) 969-1564 |
$20,790 |
| South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-San Antonio 734 SE Military Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214 Phone: (210) 782-8000 |
$20,663 |
College rankings
To see how colleges rank, check out US News or the Princeton Review. On these websites, you can also find lots of college information.
However, college rankings are not everything and colleges can rank in lots of different categories. So what should they tell you?
Well, to tell you the truth, they may help you decide on a college but you shouldn’t base your choice merely on a college’s ranking. For many students, it may even be a better option to first attend two years at a community college or a trade school and later transfer to a 4-year institution.
Sure, when your dream college ranks high, that’s perfectly fine, but if your school is ranked slightly lower, that shouldn’t upset you. What counts is that you feel comfortable with and at the school of your choice.