Best value colleges for Economics in Texas.2026 Rankings
Choosing the right Economics program in Texas means weighing more than just name recognition. We analyzed 43 colleges across the state, scoring each on the metrics that matter most to long-term career success: graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, net cost, and academic rigor.
The data tells an interesting story: Rice University leads on selectivity (8% acceptance rate), but selectivity is only one dimension of quality. Across Texas's Economics programs, the typical in-state price is $26,751 and the average graduation rate is 63%. Graduates of these programs earn a median of $40,591 within one year of completing their degree.
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ranked by value score
| # | College | Value Score | Admit Rate | Grad Rate | Net Price | Median Earnings | Student:Faculty | Majors Offered | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice UniversityPrivate | Perfect· 53 | 8% | 96% | $1,348 | $78,814 | 6:1 | 50 | 4,562 |
| 2 | Excellent· 45 | 61% | 83% | $24,746 | $71,630 | 11:1 | 70 | 7,106 | |
| 3 | Trinity UniversityPrivate | Excellent· 43 | 28% | 82% | $15,774 | $57,482 | 9:1 | 50 | 2,518 |
| 4 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | Great· 41 | 43% | 86% | $18,714 | $54,462 | 14:1 | 67 | 10,919 |
| 5 | Great· 40 | 63% | 84% | $18,685 | $49,738 | 19:1 | 107 | 60,710 | |
| 6 | Great· 38 | 29% | 88% | $18,618 | $58,717 | 18:1 | 104 | 42,100 | |
| 7 | Austin CollegePrivate | Strong· 37 | 47% | 69% | $22,351 | $33,957 | 11:1 | 35 | 1,125 |
| 8 | University of DallasPrivate | Strong· 37 | 54% | 68% | $18,311 | $55,732 | 11:1 | 24 | 1,403 |
| 9 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | Strong· 36 | 51% | 80% | $32,236 | $60,575 | 15:1 | 83 | 15,007 |
| 10 | Strong· 36 | 46% | 49% | $2,791 | $32,423 | 21:1 | 33 | 6,502 | |
| 11 | Southwestern UniversityPrivate | Strong· 35 | 39% | 69% | $24,800 | $35,635 | 11:1 | 33 | 1,454 |
| 12 | Strong· 35 | 85% | 49% | $7,695 | $34,758 | 19:1 | 67 | 27,026 | |
| 13 | University of St ThomasPrivate | Strong· 34 | 93% | 69% | $16,635 | $46,940 | 15:1 | 39 | 2,826 |
| 14 | Angelo State UniversityPublic | Good· 33 | 79% | 41% | $13,147 | $40,595 | 18:1 | 45 | 5,515 |
| 15 | Saint Edward's UniversityPrivate | Good· 33 | 84% | 64% | $22,064 | $37,814 | 13:1 | 56 | 2,729 |
| 16 | Good· 33 | 81% | 57% | $14,602 | $46,416 | 23:1 | 60 | 30,834 | |
| 17 | Good· 33 | 65% | 71% | $14,813 | $47,034 | 27:1 | 42 | 21,317 | |
| 18 | Good· 33 | 84% | 43% | $9,055 | $53,042 | 20:1 | 32 | 4,122 | |
| 19 | University of HoustonPublic | Good· 33 | 70% | 65% | $12,613 | $50,820 | 21:1 | 74 | 37,175 |
| 20 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | Good· 32 | 71% | 67% | $18,376 | $53,997 | 21:1 | 85 | 32,446 |
| 21 | Lubbock Christian UniversityPrivate | Good· 31 | 73% | 49% | $26,392 | $45,494 | 12:1 | 43 | 1,210 |
| 22 | Good· 31 | 87% | 41% | $11,235 | $50,745 | 16:1 | 42 | 4,043 | |
| 23 | St. Mary's UniversityPrivate | Good· 31 | 89% | 59% | $19,998 | $39,558 | 10:1 | 41 | 1,911 |
| 24 | Good· 31 | 88% | 52% | $14,068 | $42,236 | 15:1 | 74 | 8,746 | |
| 25 | Good· 31 | 92% | 47% | $13,583 | $57,253 | 17:1 | 35 | 7,009 | |
| 26 | Good· 31 | 72% | 60% | $13,489 | $51,316 | 23:1 | 81 | 33,680 | |
| 27 | Lamar UniversityPublic | Good· 30 | 86% | 37% | $12,281 | $56,267 | 18:1 | 54 | 7,945 |
| 28 | Good· 30 | 93% | 46% | $11,193 | $47,428 | 19:1 | 56 | 8,249 | |
| 29 | Texas Lutheran UniversityPrivate | Good· 30 | 95% | 55% | $22,551 | $40,717 | 10:1 | 32 | 1,260 |
| 30 | Criswell CollegePrivate | Average· 29 | 92% | 57% | $11,109 | $38,273 | 5:1 | 7 | 118 |