Texas is home to more than 100 four-year public and private, not-for-profit colleges that confer bachelor’s degrees, at a minimum. In fact, Texas ranks 3rd among the states with the most colleges in the US. Texas boasts major, public universities like the University of Texas at Austin as well as smaller, private schools like Rice University. But choosing the right college in Texas can be difficult because there are so many to choose from. Not only that, many colleges in Texas have excellent sports teams, which always makes the college experience more fun.
If you’ve got good grades, good standardized test scores on either the SAT or ACT, and a good resume in other important areas, such as extracurriculars and leadership positions, then you may be looking to apply to an academically competitive college. Texas has several very selective colleges that you might want to consider, particularly if you live in Texas and would prefer attending a college that’s in your home state and has a strong academic record.
Therefore, in order to find out the hardest colleges to get into in Texas, BrokeScholar analyzed all the schools in the state that are four-year institutions with at least 100 undergraduates and on-campus housing, including both public colleges and private, not for-profit colleges, that award bachelor’s degrees or higher. Sourcing the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) as well as from individual college websites, we analyzed and ranked all colleges in Texas in terms of how difficult they are to gain acceptance to. (See the methodology section for more details).
Read on to find out the hardest colleges to get into in Texas.
Table of Contents
What Are the Hardest Colleges to Get into in Texas?
Based on our analysis of Texas’s 100-plus four-year colleges, the hardest college to get into in the Lone Star State has an undergraduate acceptance rate of just 9%. That equates to roughly 9 out of every 10 applicants to this school not being accepted. Compare that acceptance rate to the average undergraduate acceptance rate for the study overall, 83%.
After conducting our analysis of the hardest colleges to get into in Texas, we drilled down the colleges to a top-15 list. This list is composed of a mix of private, not-for-profit colleges and public colleges, with private schools comprising a higher proportion of the top-15 hardest schools to get into. This is a fairly common pattern, as shown by other BrokeScholar studies, such as the hardest colleges to get into in South Carolina.
Looking at our analysis of all four-year Texas colleges, the overall average graduation rate was 45%. Most of the schools that make up the top 15 hardest colleges to get into in Texas have higher graduation rates than 45%, but there are four exceptions on our list. The No. 1 hardest college to get into in Texas has a graduation rate of 94% — which is the highest rate in the study.
Below you’ll find a list of the 15 hardest colleges to get into in Texas, listed in order of lowest acceptance rate to highest acceptance rate. Also included in the breakdown below are costs of tuition and required fees (though required fees does not include room and board):
Top 15 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in Texas |
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| College/University | Percent Admitted | Percent Admitted Who Enrolled | Undergraduate Students | Graduation Rate | 2023-2024 In-State Tuition and Required Fees | 2023-2024 Out-of-State Tuition and Required Fees |
| Rice University | 9% | 44% | 4,494 | 94% | $54,960 | $54,960 |
| The University of Texas at Austin | 31% | 48% | 41,309 | 88% | $11,698 | $41,070 |
| Trinity University | 31% | 19% | 2,512 | 76% | $49,264 | $49,264 |
| Southwestern University | 45% | 18% | 1,483 | 72% | $48,650 | $48,650 |
| Baylor University | 46% | 18% | 15,213 | 81% | $51,738 | $51,738 |
| Texas A&M International University | 48% | 35% | 6,979 | 49% | $7,846 | $19,382 |
| LeTourneau University | 49% | 21% | 3,350 | 67% | $34,470 | $34,470 |
| Dallas Christian College | 50% | 45% | 247 | 37% | $20,580 | $20,580 |
| Huston-Tillotson University | 52% | 19% | 991 | 32% | $14,703 | $14,703 |
| Southern Methodist University | 52% | 19% | 7,056 | 82% | $61,980 | $61,980 |
| Austin College | 54% | 12% | 1,167 | 73% | $44,950 | $44,950 |
| Southwestern Adventist University | 54% | 17% | 786 | 47% | $24,060 | $24,060 |
| Texas Christian University | 56% | 27% | 10,523 | 84% | $53,980 | $53,980 |
| McMurry University | 57% | 21% | 1,231 | 37% | $30,422 | $30,422 |
| Paul Quinn College | 57% | 9% | 938 | 29% | $13,798 | $13,798 |
| University of Dallas | 59% | 16% | 1,453 | 72% | $48,000 | $48,000 |
Based on our analysis, the hardest college to get into in Texas is Rice University, a private research university in Houston, Texas. The last entry on our top-15 list — University of Dallas — has an undergraduate acceptance rate of 59%. Though 59% means more than half of applicants are accepted, this admission rate is still far more selective than the 83% average acceptance rate for the study as a whole.
Beyond Rice University, the top-15 list is quite intriguing and includes colleges the average reader likely has not heard of before. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the hardest colleges to get into in Texas:
1. Rice University
Total number of applicants: 31,443
Rice University acceptance rate: 9%
Tuition and required fees: $54,960
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 49% Female - 51% Male
Rice University is a well-known and well-regarded institution of higher education, frequently ranking among the best colleges in the US. With over 31,000 applicants to the school, Rice University proves to be the hardest college to get into in Texas with an undergraduate admission rate of just 9%. Rice University is easily the most selective college in Texas and one of the most selective in the country overall. When it comes to specific fields of study at Rice University, it ranks as one of the best biomedical engineering schools in Texas and the US.
Rice University offers degrees ranging from the bachelor’s level up to doctoral degrees. According to NCES data, some of the most popular fields of study to earn a degree in include:
- Bachelor’s degrees: (1) 118 awarded in Computer and Information Sciences, General; (2) 64 awarded in Psychology, General; and (3) 60 awarded in Mechanical Engineering.
- Master’s degrees: (1) 604 awarded in Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other; (2) 70 awarded in Computer and Information Sciences, General; and (3) 40 awarded in Stringed Instruments.
- Doctoral degrees: (1) 21 awarded in Chemistry, General; (2) 17 awarded in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering; and (3) 15 awarded in Physics, General.
2. The University of Texas at Austin
Total number of applicants: 60,055
University of Texas acceptance rate: 31%
Tuition and required fees: $11,698 for in-state | $41,070 for out-of-state
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 57% Female - 43% Male
Often just called UT Austin or even just UT, the University of Texas at Austin is the first public institution to make our list of the 15 hardest colleges to get into in Texas. The University of Texas at Austin is a superb public research university. Founded in 1883, it stands as the oldest institution in the University of Texas System. Not surprisingly, it is also the hardest college to get into in the University of Texas System of colleges.
The University of Texas at Austin is very competitive, accepting only 31% of undergraduate applicants, which is up two percentage points since last year's iteration of this study. Despite its high selectivity, UT Austin is still a huge school, with an undergraduate population of over 41,000 students. What’s more, UT Austin has an excellent graduation rate of 88%, the second best out of all Texas colleges and second best in our study.
2. Trinity University
Total number of applicants: 11,463
Trinity University acceptance rate: 31%
Tuition and required fees: $49,264
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 54% Female - 46% Male
Trinity University is a private liberal arts college in San Antonio, Texas, founded back in 1869. With an undergraduate acceptance rate of 31% — three percentage points less than last year's version of this study — Trinity University comes in as the No. 2 hardest college to get into in Texas, tied with UT Austin. That rate of admission means that more than two-thirds of applicants don’t get accepted by Trinity University. The university’s graduation rate is also very strong at 76%, which is one of the best graduation rates in the state.
Trinity University awarded two levels of degrees: bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees. According to NCES data, the most popular bachelor’s degrees is in Finance, General, followed by Accounting, which was awarded 35 bachelor's degrees, last academic year. Though on the smaller side of the colleges analyzed, Trinity has a robust academic structure, with programs of study including:
- 58 majors
- 61 minors
- 6 graduate programs
- 2 advising programs
4. Southwestern University
Total number of applicants: 5,557
Southwestern University acceptance rate: 45%
Tuition and required fees: $48,650
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 54% Female - 46% Male
Southwestern University is located in Georgetown, Texas, which is about 30 miles north of Austin. With an undergraduate admission rate of 45%, Southwestern University is very competitive to get into compared to most colleges in Texas, and its acceptance rate actually got more selective than last year, when it was 51%. Southwestern University is composed solely of undergraduate students, roughly 1,483 of them, and thus only awards bachelor’s degrees. The university offers 36 different majors and a variety of minors, according to its website. Southwestern University has a solid graduation rate of 72%, which is nearly 30-percentage points higher than the 45% average graduation rate for all Texas colleges analyzed in the study.
5. Baylor University
Total number of applicants: 36,588
Baylor University acceptance rate: 46%
Tuition and required fees: $51,738
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 60% Female - 40% Male
Baylor University is a private Baptist Christian research university in Waco, Texas. Baylor University is incredibly old, being chartered in 1845 by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas; that is, by the Congress of Texas when it was its own country before being annexed to the US as a new state. In fact, Baylor University is the oldest continuously operating university in Texas and one of the first educational institutions west of the Mississippi River in the US. As such, Baylor University has a strong academic reputation, which largely accounts for its impressive 36,500-plus applicants per year. Baylor University also has one of the highest graduation rates in Texas, at 81%.
Though a private, not-for-profit college, Baylor University is on a larger side. It has an undergraduate population of over 15,200 students. Baylor awards degrees ranging from bachelor’s degrees to doctoral degrees. According to NCES data, some of the most popular fields of study to pursue a degree in include:
- Bachelor’s degrees: (1) 317 awarded in Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; (2) 244 awarded in Biology/Biological Sciences, General; and (3) 160 awarded in Communication, General.
- Master’s degrees: (1) 262 awarded in Communication Sciences and Disorders, General; (2) 261 awarded in Business Administration and Management, General; and (3) 161 awarded in Social Work.
- Doctoral degrees: (1) 152 awarded in Law; (2) 137 awarded in Physical Therapy/Therapist; and (3) 130 awarded in Curriculum and Instruction.
6. Texas A&M International University
Total number of applicants: 7,848
Texas A&M International acceptance rate: 48%
Tuition and required fees: $7,846 for in-state | $19,382 for out-of-state
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 62% Female - 38% Male
Texas A&M International University is a public university in Laredo, Texas. It is one of only two public colleges to mark our list of the 15 hardest colleges to get into in Texas. And with an undergraduate acceptance rate of only 48%, Texas A&M International is easily one of the most selective public colleges in Texas. Texas A&M International is also one the Texas colleges with no application fee for freshmen applicants.
7. LeTourneau University
Total number of applicants: 3,000
LeTourneau University acceptance rate: 49%
Tuition and required fees: $34,470
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 46% Female - 54% Male
LeTourneau University is a private, interdenominational evangelical Christian university in Longview, Texas. Founded as LeTourneau Technical Institute in February 1946 by R. G. LeTourneau with his wife, Evelyn, the school originally was tailored to educating veterans returning from World War II. Today, it offers a wide range of programs, but still displays its technical college roots. LeTourneau boasts a better-than-average graduation rate of 67%. According to NCES data, some of the most popular fields of study to earn a degree in include:
- Bachelor’s degrees: (1) 47 awarded in Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General; (2) 39 awarded in Mechanical Engineering; and (3) 35 awarded in Business Administration and Management, General; and 35 awarded in Elementary Education and Teaching.
- Master’s degrees: (1) 22 awarded in Business Administration and Management, General; (2) 18 awarded in Mental Health Counseling/Counselor; and (3) 14 awarded in Clinical Psychology.
8. Dallas Christian College
Total number of applicants: 354
Dallas Christian College acceptance rate: 50%
Tuition and required fees: $20,580
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 39% Female - 61% Male
Dallas Christian College is a private Christian college in Farmers Branch, Texas, an inner-ring suburb of Dallas. It is affiliated with the Christian Church and accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education. Dallas Christian College is composed solely of undergraduate students, approximately 247 of them, and therefore only awards associate and bachelor’s degrees. Still, with an undergraduate admission rate of just 50%, Dallas Christian College ranks as the eighth hardest college to get into in Texas.
9. Huston-Tillotson University
Total number of applicants: 1,885
Huston-Tilloston University acceptance rate: 52%
Tuition and required fees: $14,703
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 57% Female - 43% Male
Huston-Tilloston University is a private historically black university in Austin, Texas. In fact, Huston-Tilloston University is one of the best HBCU colleges in Texas. Founded in 1875, Huston–Tillotson University was the first institution of higher education in Austin. With an undergraduate admission rate of 52%, Huston-Tilloston is very selective compared to the 83% overall average acceptance rate for the study as a whole. Besides offering an excellent academic experience, Huston-Tilloston University is quite affordable compared to the other top 15 hardest colleges to get into, with a cost of tuition and required fees of $14,703 per academic year.
9. Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Total number of applicants: 16,150
SMU acceptance rate: 52%
Tuition and required fees: $61,980
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 50% Female - 50% Male
Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a private research university in University Park, Texas, with a satellite campus in Taos County, New Mexico. SMU was founded in 1911, by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which is now part of the United Methodist Church. SMU is a very selective college, admitting only 52% of applicants. It also boasts one of the highest graduation rates in Texas, at 82%, and has a large number of graduate students in addition to its over 7,000 undergraduate students. The main drawback is SMU’s high cost of tuition, which makes it the most expensive college in Texas.
SMU offers a wide range of degrees, from bachelor’s degrees up to doctoral degrees. According to NCES data, some of the most popular fields of study to earn a degree in include:
- Bachelor’s degrees: (1) 285 awarded in Finance, General; (2) 147 awarded in Economics, General; and (3) 97 awarded in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management.
- Master’s degrees: (1) 501 awarded in Management Science; (2) 128 awarded in Education, Other; and (3) 89 awarded in Information Science/Studies.
- Doctoral degrees: (1) 268 awarded in Law; (2) 12 awarded in Superintendency and Educational System Administration; and (3) 12 awarded in Theology/Theological Studies.
Total number of applicants: 5,192
Austin College acceptance rate: 54%
Tuition and required fees: $44,950
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 50% Female - 50% Male
Austin College ranks as the 11th hardest college to get into in Texas, with an undergraduate admission rate of 54%, which makes it tied with Southwestern Adventist University. Thus, out of nearly 5,200 applicants, only a little over half get accepted to Austin College. The school’s graduation rate of 73% is better than the 45% average graduation rate for the study overall, and is five percentage points higher than last year's iteration of this study when its graduation rate was 68%. With an undergraduate population of a little over 1,160 students, Austin College is on the smaller side, and most of its students are undergraduates. This is why Austin College awards only bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees. According to NCES data, the most popular fields of study to pursue a degree in include:
- Bachelor’s degrees: (1) 39 awarded in Business/Commerce, General; (2) 33 awarded in Psychology, General; and (3) 31 awarded in Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
- Master’s degrees: 9 awarded in Secondary Education and Teaching and 4 awarded in Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
11. Southwestern Adventist University
Total number of applicants: 1,438
Southwestern Adventist University acceptance rate: 54%
Tuition and required fees: $24,060
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 59% Female - 41% Male
Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU), situated in Keene, Texas, is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist system of higher education. Since its establishment in 1893, SWAU has been committed to providing a holistic education deeply rooted in Christian values and beliefs. Academically, the university offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs spanning fields such as arts and sciences, business, education, nursing, and theology. Its graduation rate of 47% is, unfortunately, among the lowest of the top 15 hardest colleges in Texas to get into, but better than the 45% overall average for the study.
One of the defining characteristics of SWAU's academic approach is its emphasis on service and community involvement. The university encourages its students to participate in local and international mission projects, allowing them to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world contexts. The dedicated faculty at SWAU work closely with students, providing personalized attention and mentorship, thereby ensuring that students are not just academically equipped but are also prepared for ethical leadership in their respective fields. The campus itself provides a supportive and close-knit community environment, further enriching the academic and spiritual journey of its students.
12. Texas Christian University (TCU)
Total number of applicants: 16,197
TCU acceptance rate: 56%
Tuition and required fees: $53,980
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 62% Female - 38% Male
Texas Christian University (TCU) is a private research university in Fort Worth, Texas. Established in 1873 by brothers Addison and Randolph Clark, it is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). With an undergraduate population of over 10,500 students, TCU is a fairly large private, not-for-profit university. Besides its competitive acceptance rate of 56%, TCU has one of the highest graduation rates of all Texas colleges, at 84%. TCU also has a complex academic structure, with numerous schools and colleges, including:
- AddRan College of Liberal Arts
- Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine
- Bob Schieffer College of Communication
- College of Education
- College of Fine Arts
- College of Science & Engineering
- Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences
- John V. Roach Honors College
- Neeley School of Business
13. McMurry University
Total number of applicants: 2,345
McMurry University acceptance rate: 57%
Tuition and required fees: $30,422
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 47% Female - 53% Male
McMurry University, located in Abilene, Texas, is a private liberal arts institution rooted in the Methodist tradition. Established in 1923, the university prides itself on its commitment to fostering academic excellence, community engagement, and spiritual development. Academically, McMurry offers a diverse range of undergraduate programs across the arts, business, education, natural and social sciences, and more. Its curriculum is designed to provide students with a broad foundation, emphasizing critical thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving skills.
The institution boasts small class sizes and a low student-teacher ratio, allowing for a personalized and hands-on learning experience. Faculty at McMurry are dedicated to their roles as educators, mentors, and researchers, often involving students in collaborative research projects. Unfortunately, though competitive to get into, McMurry University's graduation rate is only 37%.
13. Paul Quinn College
Total number of applicants: 2,048
Paul Quinn College acceptance rate: 57%
Tuition and required fees: $13,798
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 68% Female - 32% Male
Paul Quinn College, located in Dallas, Texas, is a private, historically Black institution affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Established in 1872, it stands as one of the oldest historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) west of the Mississippi River. Academically, Paul Quinn College is distinguished not only for its traditional degree programs but also for its innovative approach to higher education. The institution introduced the "Urban Work College Model," which integrates rigorous academics with real-world work experience, ensuring students are both intellectually prepared and practically equipped for their careers post-graduation. As a part of this model, students participate in the Work Program, allowing them to earn wages, reduce tuition costs, and gain hands-on experience. Academically, the college offers a variety of bachelor's degree programs in areas such as business administration, health and wellness, and legal studies, among others. With a commitment to addressing community needs, Paul Quinn also transformed its former football field into the "WE over Me Farm," which provides fresh produce to the surrounding community and offers students practical experience in agribusiness and sustainability.
15. University of Dallas
Total number of applicants: 4,307
University of Dallas acceptance rate: 59%
Tuition and required fees: $48,000
Undergraduate student gender breakdown: 56% Female - 44% Male
Though named the University of Dallas, this school is located in Irving, Texas, and it rounds out our list of the 15 hardest colleges to get into in Texas. It is a private nonprofit, four-year university, with an undergraduate population of over 1,450 students, putting it on the smaller side of the top 15 hardest colleges to gain admission to in Texas. Established in 1956, the institution takes pride in fostering intellectual exploration through a classical curriculum that emphasizes the Great Books of Western Civilization. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs through its Constantin College of Liberal Arts, the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts, the Ann and Joe O. Neuhoff Institute for Ministry & Evangelization, and the Satish & Yasmin Gupta College of Business. Among its hallmark programs is the Core Curriculum, which provides students with a comprehensive foundation in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. This curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking, articulate expression, and a profound understanding of the human experience. The University also promotes a strong sense of community and notably is a Catholic university, though it welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. Its faculty is dedicated not just to teaching but to guiding students in the pursuit of wisdom, truth, and virtue. With a global perspective, the University of Dallas also boasts a prominent Rome Program, allowing students to study for a semester at its Rome campus, thereby enriching their academic and cultural experiences.
The Bottom Line on the Hardest Colleges to Get Into in Texas
Examining the hardest colleges to get into in Texas, the gender breakdown of students reflects a larger trend in college enrollment that's been going on for some time in the US: A decline in men attending college and a continued increase in women attending college. Many of the hardest colleges to get into in Texas display noteworthy-to-significant majorities of female undergraduates. For instance, at Paul Quinn College, 68% of undergraduates are female to only 32% that are male. Similarly, at TCU and Texas A&M International, 62% of undergraduates are female versus only 38% who are male. On the other hand, Rice University, the No. 1 hardest college to get into in Texas, has a more balanced gender breakdown of undergraduates: 49% are female while 51% are male.
When it comes to the cost of attending the hardest colleges to get into in Texas, the private colleges tend to be more expensive. For example, Southern Methodist University has a cost of tuition and required fees of approximately $61,980 per academic year. Texas Christian University, Rice University, Baylor University, and Southwestern University all have costs of tuition and fees in excess of $50,000 per academic year. These costs can be prohibitively expensive, but that’s where winning scholarships comes in.
Whether you’re a Texas resident or not, BrokeScholar has a massive library of college scholarships and student discounts that can help reduce the financial burden on students. Scholarships and student discounts are important even at colleges that have comparatively cheap tuition. This is because tuition and required fees do not include the costs of room and board as well as other non-mandatory fees you may encounter in your college experience.
Methodology
In order to identify the hardest colleges to get into in Texas, we analyzed 110 colleges and universities in Texas that fit the following criteria:
- Are four-year public or four-year private, not-for-profit institutions
- Undergraduate population greater than 100
- On-campus housing
- Offer bachelor's degree programs (at a minimum)
These 110 colleges and universities were sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), as was data on their respective undergraduate populations, undergraduate acceptance rates, total number of applicants, and undergraduate student gender breakdown. The costs of tuition and required fees were sourced from individual college websites and reflect costs for either the 2022-2023 academic year or 2023-2024 academic year if the latter was available.
