The cost of college in Texas — and what it pays back
Across the 213 Texas institutions we profile, the median net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $19,359/yr, $2,453 above the $16,906 national median. Graduates earn a median $40,873 ten years after entry (below the $43,552 national median), and 71 of the 213 schools clear their full cost on institution-wide earnings. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
$19,359
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$40,873
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
9.8 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
71/213
Schools that pay back
Our math, 2026
How Texas's 213 colleges split by ROI verdict
Strong14
Solid22
Slow20
Weak157
Verdicts: payback under 5 / 10 / 20 / over 20 years (or none).
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice University | $13,370 | $89,718 | 1.3 yrs |
| Chamberlain University-Texas | $32,209 | $92,405 | 2.9 yrs |
| The University of Texas at Austin | $19,857 | $75,121 | 3 yrs |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | $21,315 | $72,097 | 3.6 yrs |
| The University of Texas at Dallas | $18,267 | $68,227 | 3.7 yrs |
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Biblical Studies-Houston | $672 | $39,260 | no payback |
| College of the Mainland | $1,342 | $39,639 | no payback |
| Lamar State College-Orange | $1,655 | $36,587 | no payback |
| South Texas College | $1,751 | $36,788 | no payback |
| Lamar State College-Port Arthur | $2,846 | $37,120 | no payback |
Frequently asked questions
How much does college cost in Texas?
The median net price across Texas colleges is $19,359/yr after aid — above the $16,906 national median. Sticker prices run far higher; net price is what the typical aided student actually pays.
Is college in Texas cheaper than the national average?
No — the median Texas net price of $19,359/yr runs about $2,453/yr above the $16,906 national median. Individual schools vary widely, so check each profile.
What do Texas college graduates earn?
A median $40,873 ten years after entry (College Scorecard), below the $43,552 national median.
Which Texas college pays for itself fastest?
Rice University — about 1.3 years to clear its $53,480 total net cost on earnings above the high-school baseline. The full ranking is on our best-colleges-in-texas page.