Best Economics Colleges in Texas2026 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 $26,599 and the average graduation rate is 62%. Graduates of these programs earn a median of $40,591 within one year of completing their degree.
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| # | 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 | Southern Methodist UniversityPrivate | 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 | Texas A&M University-College Station (TAMU)Public | Great· 40 | 63% | 84% | $18,685 | $49,738 | 19:1 | 107 | 60,710 |
| 6 | The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)Public | 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 | Texas A & M International UniversityPublic | 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 | The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyPublic | 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 | Saint Edward's UniversityPrivate | Good· 33 | 84% | 64% | $22,064 | $37,814 | 13:1 | 56 | 2,729 |
| 15 | The University of Texas at DallasPublic | Good· 33 | 65% | 71% | $14,813 | $47,034 | 27:1 | 42 | 21,317 |
| 16 | The University of Texas at ArlingtonPublic | Good· 33 | 81% | 57% | $14,602 | $46,416 | 23:1 | 60 | 30,834 |
| 17 | University of HoustonPublic | Good· 33 | 70% | 65% | $12,613 | $50,820 | 21:1 | 74 | 37,175 |
| 18 | Angelo State UniversityPublic | Good· 33 | 79% | 41% | $13,147 | $40,595 | 18:1 | 45 | 5,515 |
| 19 | The University of Texas Permian BasinPublic | Good· 33 | 84% | 43% | $9,055 | $53,042 | 20:1 | 32 | 4,122 |
| 20 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | Good· 32 | 71% | 67% | $18,376 | $53,997 | 21:1 | 85 | 32,446 |
| 21 | Stephen F Austin State UniversityPublic | Good· 31 | 88% | 52% | $14,068 | $42,236 | 15:1 | 74 | 8,746 |
| 22 | St. Mary's UniversityPrivate | Good· 31 | 89% | 59% | $19,998 | $39,558 | 10:1 | 41 | 1,911 |
| 23 | University of North TexasPublic | Good· 31 | 72% | 60% | $13,489 | $51,316 | 23:1 | 81 | 33,680 |
| 24 | The University of Texas at TylerPublic | Good· 31 | 92% | 47% | $13,583 | $57,253 | 17:1 | 35 | 7,009 |
| 25 | Lubbock Christian UniversityPrivate | Good· 31 | 73% | 49% | $26,392 | $45,494 | 12:1 | 43 | 1,210 |
| 26 | Midwestern State UniversityPublic | Good· 31 | 87% | 41% | $11,235 | $50,745 | 16:1 | 42 | 4,043 |
| 27 | Texas Lutheran UniversityPrivate | Good· 30 | 95% | 55% | $22,551 | $40,717 | 10:1 | 32 | 1,260 |
| 28 | Texas A & M University-CommercePublic | Good· 30 | 93% | 46% | $11,193 | $47,428 | 19:1 | 56 | 8,249 |
| 29 | Lamar UniversityPublic | Good· 30 | 86% | 37% | $12,281 | $56,267 | 18:1 | 54 | 7,945 |
| 30 | The University of Texas at El PasoPublic | Average· 29 | 100% | 46% | $11,289 | $42,749 | 20:1 | 64 | 20,547 |