Best Colleges in Texas by Salary Potential

A bachelor’s degree is an investment in your future. This list ranks the top universities in Texas by alumni salary.

Read more

Bachelor's Only
All Alumni
RankSchool NameSchool TypeEarly Career Pay
Mid-Career Pay
% High Meaning
% STEM Degrees
Rank:1School Name:Rice UniversitySchool Type:Private School, Research University, For Sports FansEarly Career Pay:$77,900Mid-Career Pay:$141,600% High Meaning:53%% STEM Degrees:45%
Rank:2School Name:The King's UniversitySchool Type:Private School, ReligiousEarly Career Pay:$64,300Mid-Career Pay:$127,500% High Meaning:37%% STEM Degrees:0%
Rank:3School Name:Texas A & M University-College StationSchool Type:Research University, For Sports Fans, State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$64,400Mid-Career Pay:$125,100% High Meaning:52%% STEM Degrees:31%
Rank:4School Name:Southern Methodist UniversitySchool Type:Private School, Religious, Research University, For Sports FansEarly Career Pay:$64,700Mid-Career Pay:$122,600% High Meaning:47%% STEM Degrees:25%
Rank:5School Name:The University of Texas at AustinSchool Type:Research University, For Sports Fans, State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$65,900Mid-Career Pay:$121,800% High Meaning:49%% STEM Degrees:31%
Rank:6School Name:Trinity UniversitySchool Type:Private School, ReligiousEarly Career Pay:$57,800Mid-Career Pay:$112,900% High Meaning:45%% STEM Degrees:25%
Rank:7School Name:Texas Tech UniversitySchool Type:Research University, For Sports Fans, State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$60,600Mid-Career Pay:$111,200% High Meaning:55%% STEM Degrees:23%
Rank:8School Name:Baylor UniversitySchool Type:Private School, Religious, Research University, Sober School, For Sports FansEarly Career Pay:$59,700Mid-Career Pay:$110,400% High Meaning:49%% STEM Degrees:15%
Rank:9School Name:University of HoustonSchool Type:Research University, For Sports Fans, State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$60,800Mid-Career Pay:$110,300% High Meaning:50%% STEM Degrees:24%
Rank:10School Name:University of DallasSchool Type:Private School, ReligiousEarly Career Pay:$57,300Mid-Career Pay:$108,200% High Meaning:54%% STEM Degrees:16%
Rank:11School Name:Texas Christian UniversitySchool Type:Private School, Religious, Research University, For Sports FansEarly Career Pay:$60,100Mid-Career Pay:$107,200% High Meaning:51%% STEM Degrees:11%
Rank:12School Name:The University of Texas at DallasSchool Type:Research University, State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$63,100Mid-Career Pay:$105,600% High Meaning:43%% STEM Degrees:45%
Rank:13School Name:The University of Texas at ArlingtonSchool Type:Research University, For Sports Fans, State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$60,200Mid-Career Pay:$104,900% High Meaning:56%% STEM Degrees:19%
Rank:14School Name:Texas A & M University-KingsvilleSchool Type:Research University, State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$57,400Mid-Career Pay:$104,800% High Meaning:63%% STEM Degrees:40%
Rank:15School Name:Lamar UniversitySchool Type:Research University, For Sports Fans, State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$58,200Mid-Career Pay:$103,400% High Meaning:58%% STEM Degrees:10%
Rank:16School Name:The University of Texas Medical Branch at GalvestonSchool Type:State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$66,200Mid-Career Pay:$103,100% High Meaning:85%% STEM Degrees:2%
Rank:17School Name:St. Mary's UniversitySchool Type:Private School, ReligiousEarly Career Pay:$56,100Mid-Career Pay:$102,800% High Meaning:63%% STEM Degrees:18%
Rank:18School Name:LeTourneau UniversitySchool Type:Private School, ReligiousEarly Career Pay:$63,500Mid-Career Pay:$101,300% High Meaning:51%% STEM Degrees:22%
Rank:19School Name:University of Houston-Clear LakeSchool Type:State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$53,700Mid-Career Pay:$101,200% High Meaning:49%% STEM Degrees:20%
Rank:20School Name:The University of Texas Health Science Center at HoustonSchool Type:State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$72,600Mid-Career Pay:$100,800% High Meaning:82%% STEM Degrees:11%
Rank:21School Name:Saint Edward's UniversitySchool Type:Private School, ReligiousEarly Career Pay:$53,800Mid-Career Pay:$100,400% High Meaning:44%% STEM Degrees:14%
Rank:21School Name:Prairie View A & M UniversitySchool Type:Research University, For Sports Fans, State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$62,900Mid-Career Pay:$100,400% High Meaning:63%% STEM Degrees:23%
Rank:23School Name:Abilene Christian UniversitySchool Type:Private School, Religious, For Sports FansEarly Career Pay:$53,700Mid-Career Pay:$100,100% High Meaning:52%% STEM Degrees:7%
Rank:24School Name:Southwestern UniversitySchool Type:Liberal Arts School, Private School, ReligiousEarly Career Pay:$55,600Mid-Career Pay:$100,000% High Meaning:49%% STEM Degrees:22%
Rank:25School Name:Texas Tech University Health Sciences CenterSchool Type:State SchoolEarly Career Pay:$66,300Mid-Career Pay:$98,400% High Meaning:86%% STEM Degrees:2%

What are you worth?

Take our free salary survey to find out

Get your free report
College Student

Looking for the best colleges in Texas? Whether you’re looking for a school with school spirit and a great party scene, a sports-crazed fan base or a school with rigorous academic standards, you’ll find the right school for you in the Lone Star State. Payscale’s College Salary Report ranks Texas colleges by alumni salaries. This list includes salary data for alumni whose highest degree was a bachelor’s degree.

Believe it or not, among the best universities in Texas for median salary potential, is Rice University, a private not-for-profit school.

The University of Texas -Austin and Texas A and M University compete in football, but they also compete for high alumni salaries.

Many graduates from Texas Universities go on to work as Software or Mechanical Engineers, become Statisticians, or even go on to practice law.