The Most Affordable Colleges in Texas That Actually Graduate Their Students
Texas A & M University-College Station offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in Texas, graduating 84% of students within six years at $10,687 in-state tuition. This ranking covers Texas’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station | 84% | $10,687 | $23,395 | 28 |
| 2 | Texas A & M University-Kingsville | Kingsville | 46% | $6,157 | $14,344 | N/A |
| 3 | Texas A & M International University | Laredo | 49% | $6,595 | $15,423 | 18 |
| 4 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin | 88% | $12,036 | $22,952 | 30 |
| 5 | University of North Texas | Denton | 60% | $8,252 | $15,596 | 23 |
| 6 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock | 67% | $9,518 | $17,698 | 25 |
| 7 | Stephen F Austin State University | Nacogdoches | 52% | $7,433 | $14,777 | 21 |
| 8 | University of North Texas at Dallas | Dallas | 44% | $6,320 | $13,664 | 25 |
| 9 | Tarleton State University | Stephenville | 51% | $7,467 | $14,829 | 21 |
| 10 | University of Houston | Houston | 65% | $9,727 | $18,871 | 26 |
1. Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, Texas
Texas A & M University-College Station graduates 84% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $10,687 per year. Out-of-state students pay $23,395. Median ACT: 28.
2. Texas A & M University-Kingsville
Kingsville, Texas
Texas A & M University-Kingsville graduates 46% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,157 per year. Out-of-state students pay $14,344.
3. Texas A & M International University
Laredo, Texas
Texas A & M International University graduates 49% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,595 per year. Out-of-state students pay $15,423. Median ACT: 18.
4. The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas
The University of Texas at Austin graduates 88% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $12,036 per year. Out-of-state students pay $22,952. Median ACT: 30.
5. University of North Texas
Denton, Texas
University of North Texas graduates 60% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $8,252 per year. Out-of-state students pay $15,596. Median ACT: 23.
6. Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
Texas Tech University graduates 67% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,518 per year. Out-of-state students pay $17,698. Median ACT: 25.
7. Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, Texas
Stephen F Austin State University graduates 52% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $7,433 per year. Out-of-state students pay $14,777. Median ACT: 21.
8. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, Texas
University of North Texas at Dallas graduates 44% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $6,320 per year. Out-of-state students pay $13,664. Median ACT: 25.
9. Tarleton State University
Stephenville, Texas
Tarleton State University graduates 51% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $7,467 per year. Out-of-state students pay $14,829. Median ACT: 21.
10. University of Houston
Houston, Texas
University of Houston graduates 65% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $9,727 per year. Out-of-state students pay $18,871. Median ACT: 26.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in Texas by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 61 qualifying public institutions in Texas.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
