2024 Best Colleges for Music in Texas

• Houston, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  1,110 reviews

Junior: I came into Rice as a transfer student this past semester. I'm happy to say I've found a place where I feel completely welcomed and appreciated. This is where I was meant to be. I am academically challenged and my curiosity is constantly mirrored in my classmates/friends. The conversations are fun and the people are genuine. Don't think that you can't apply because of how competitive it looks. They really practice the holistic approach and if you bring your unique story, passion, and perspective you have a shot. I didn't have perfect test scores, but I had a great work ethic and passion for what I do. If you want a home away from home- highly recommend!... Read 1,110 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 9%

• Net price $18,521

• SAT range 1490-1570

• Austin, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  6,699 reviews

Senior: I've had an amazing experience at UT. Pursuing a career in journalism, it's an honor to be studying at one of the best journalism programs in the world! I've learned so much from such amazing and accomplished journalists, and I've been able to grow my knowledge and journalistic writing and center in on exactly what path I want to go down in journalism. Along with that, I've been able to pursue other academic interests of mine through pursuing an additional degree in sociology and a certificate in human rights and social justice. I've been able to broaden my knowledge on the issues that plague marginalized communities around the world and through this I've been able to strengthen my reporting and story telling as a journalist. I've also completed four internships throughout my time at the university, and will be studying abroad in the fall! I've grown and gained so much during my time here, and I can't wait to see how much I'll learn and grow during my last year.... Read 6,699 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 29%

• Net price $16,589

• SAT range 1230-1500

• Dallas, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  1,563 reviews

Alum: I loved my professors and program at SMU! The campus is absolutely gorgeous and it's a really good size without being too small or overwhelmingly large. The school is in the perfect location for local restaurants and shops while being 10 minutes away from the nightlife of downtown and the entertainment of the districts. Overall, it was a god experience. The people weren't my favorite, but I was still able to find my own group of people that didn't give in to the "rich-kid" stereotype the school has. I think it good work on its diversity and aid, especially in the art school.... Read 1,563 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 53%

• Net price $41,986

• SAT range 1340-1510

• Waco, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  4,498 reviews

Alum: The atmosphere was amazing! When I went to school here, there were only about 12,500 students but we all felt like a family. The professors really cared for the students. The academics were great. Professors would combine book work with projects that would prepare you best for the type of job you would retain. Even when you have graduated, you are connected with other alumni’s. It’s big enough that you don’t know everyone but small in a sense where you can cross friendship circles. When you come back to campus, many years later, it still feels like home.... Read 4,498 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 57%

• Net price $46,039

• SAT range 1160-1350

• Denton, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  6,107 reviews

Junior: UNT has been the most inclusive and beneficial school for me. I have been introduced to so many wonderful peers and professors, all who are rooting for my success as a future educator. The courses I have taken have been beyond informational and inspiring with my dream career being so close! I have been educated on so many parts of our educational history that have never been mentioned to me prior, such as the Native American Boarding Schools, and the Lemon Grove Incident. I have found myself welcomed into the Mean Green community immediately upon arrival, and I recommend the University of North Texas to everyone considering!... Read 6,107 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 81%

• Net price $11,915

• SAT range 1010-1240

• Fort Worth, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  1,711 reviews

Senior: TCU has an incredibly inclusive and supportive community. The professors genuinely care about their students and want their students to succeed. Many have their PhD, with years of real-world industry experience. They are great resources as mentors both in an outside the classroom. The school spirit of TCU is unlike any other school. Students are incredibly proud to be horned frogs and hold lots of school pride. This year, students have been calling TCU an "everything school" because of our success in academics and across all sports. TCU has a great campus, with state-of-the-art buildings and facilities. The dorms are well-equipped and updated, and the recreation center is a great facility. The dining hall food in the BLUU isn't great, but there's plenty of dining options on campus (a healthy smoothie bar, chick-fil-a, Peet's, flatbreads, etc.) and others on University Avenue. Fort Worth is full of culture and has great restaurants/places to explore. Overall great people, great place!... Read 1,711 reviews

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 54%

• Net price $42,574

• SAT range 1130-1350

• Houston, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  6,651 reviews

Senior: Overall, my experience with the University of Houston has been vey wonderful. The staff at the student center are very helpful. One time one of the staff members walked me all the way to the building where my class is being held at. The professors at the University of Houston are very helpful as well, considering that they have 50-100 students in their class. The University of Houston made me feel right at home the first time I showed up for orientation. One thing I would change about the University of Houston would be their parking permit. I believe the parking permits are a bit overpriced, considering that we pay a lot for tuition already, but other than that their are no complaints!... Read 6,651 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 66%

• Net price $14,339

• SAT range 1140-1330

• Abilene, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  1,422 reviews

Sophomore: I adore this place! My family was Catholic, so our upbringing was different. I have always enjoyed both hearing the biblical tales and learning about their background. I will undoubtedly continue my nursing career here at this university. I adore how each lesson includes references to God. It is very dissimilar from the previous universities I have attended.... Read 1,422 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 70%

• Net price $29,734

• SAT range 1050-1270

• San Marcos, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.84 out of 5  6,535 reviews

Junior: Texas State University is a wonderful school with a beautiful campus and countless resources dedicated to help students of all sorts to succeed. With every decision I made for my education, I felt confident that it was the best one thanks to the staff and faculty who so eagerly assisted me in advising and analyzing each choice and opportunity. As for the community as a whole, it was diverse and colorful in every sense, and contained a spot for everyone, including me. I feel grateful every day that I chose to attend Texas State, that I met those I know now, and that I will be going back soon!... Read 6,535 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 70%

• Net price $16,385

• SAT range 990-1180

• Arlington, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  4,528 reviews

Junior: Transferring to UTA from a community college, I was nervous to meet new students and about the load of the coursework. After my first week of attending classes, I made friends that I still keep in contact with today! My overall experience has impacted my daily life and attitude. UTA has contributed to the woman I am today and I am grateful for every experience! What I enjoyed most about UTA was the professor-to-student ratio. Having personal relationships inside and outside of the classroom is beneficial for both parties. What I would like to see change is the availability of tutors or SI sessions. I had some sessions that fell through due to the cancellation of staffing. Otherwise, UTA has been great for me!... Read 4,528 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 93%

• Net price $15,301

• SAT range 1000-1220

• Abilene, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  404 reviews

Alum: Hardin-Simmons University is one of the best-kept secrets in Texas - but it shouldn't be! Everyone should know about Hardin-Simmons. The high-quality education is everywhere, and I was provided many hands-on experiences that were integral to my development as a professional in my field. It would have been nearly impossible to get those same opportunities at a larger, more "prestigious" school. But to top it all off, my experience was truly made by the wonderful people at HSU, in and outside the classroom. The personal relationships I developed with my classmates and professors kept me going throughout my time there. Knowing that there were so many people supporting me through a faith-filled foundation made my experience at HSU worth it ten-times over. If you're looking for a place to get the education you need while also being known and loved for who you are, then Hardin-Simmons University is the school for you.... Read 404 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 95%

• Net price $23,337

• SAT range 970-1170

• Edinburg, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  2,824 reviews

Freshman: University with adverse culture and programs that are for every single interest a student may want to pursue. Quiet campus for those who love studying, new programs are offered for all students as innovation increases and various clubs for those with different interests while pursuing a Undergraduate/graduate degree. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers growth and advancement opportunities while creating lifelong moments in ones' educational cycle of life! P.S., They offer programs to not pay much in tuition all by passing and apply as much help as possible for you to learn!... Read 2,824 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 94%

• Net price $6,244

• SAT range 900-1120

• Dallas, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.99 out of 5  1,082 reviews

Junior: My experience at DBU has been truly wonderful. I honestly believe that no other Christian private university stresses to the extent DBU does of integrating Christ into their education, activities, career preparation, etc. All the faculty and staff are extremely intentional, loving, and caring whether in class or at work, their number one priority is to help the students in any way they can. The price of DBU is deceiving because there are so many scholarships to help bring the cost down dramatically. My favorite thing about DBU is the community and relationships I have made here. I have made my lifelong best friends here. All students live on campus and there are close to no parties on campus. DBU is only twenty minutes from downtown Dallas providing fun off-campus activities as well as job opportunities. I highly recommend DBU to everyone!... Read 1,082 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 90%

• Net price $27,599

• SAT range 940-1200

• El Paso, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  3,031 reviews

Alum: The best I could describe the experience is: Studying at The University of Texas at El Paso was the best rollercoaster one could ever experience! I had a lot of trouble at first with school, this was all personal reasons. Once that had gone away, I took my time and finished strong (in my point of view). Many courses were challenging, as expected, but all fulfilling in many ways. They taught me many things, from life lessons to actual work lessons. I learned a lot, and thanks to that I managed to find the career that best suites me. The professors are all different, but all, regardless of difficulty were nothing but AMAZING.... Read 3,031 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $10,538

• SAT range 940-1130

• Dallas, TX•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  620 reviews

Sophomore: My name is Karen Fisher and I have been attending Dallas College since 1995 and I have had nothing but the best experiences while attend here. If there is anything that you do not understand there are so many people here with a wealth of knowledge that is willing to share. There is also, a great support system available and accessible to utilize if needed. I have also attended Cedar Valley Community College and it has the same attributes. The classes are not as large and the professors are willing to assist in any way possible to make learning easy.... Read 620 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,803

• SAT range —

• Houston, TX•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  3,600 reviews

Junior: Houston Community College is a good choice for starting an education into a career you are curious about. Starting with an Associate's allows you to dip your toes into a field that you've always been interested in, and can allow you to grow and explore new possibilities and careers. The overall student mindset is very similar, so you'll meet many students who want to explore various fields and careers. Overall, if you're interested in looking for a future career goal, but don't have the time or money to invest in a 4-year university, consider Houston Community College as a head-start!... Read 3,600 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,108

• SAT range —

• Mckinney, TX•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  2,183 reviews

Sophomore: Collin College has been a great stepping stone for me. I have never felt so myself and confident because of how diverse Collin’s environment is. I enjoy going to school and feel that every professor and staff member there wants you to succeed. I really like how inclusive they make the school activities and how it’s free for everyone. I would like to see an even stricter security outside of the school. We do have security inside, but there is not a scanning component at the entrances so anyone is free to enter. Unfortunately, I wonder if that could come back to haunt us. The student council is really good at listening and understanding what is best for us students, so I do have hope that an open conversation could change the security system for the better. Overall, that doesn’t stop me from attending. I go to a technical campus and my professor has compared the work between her university students and us community college ones. She confirmed our work is more advanced. I learned so much!... Read 2,183 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,498

• SAT range —

• Stephenville, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  1,916 reviews

Senior: Friendly environment with a lovely small town feel. Coming onto campus my freshman year I was very nervous because it was such a huge transition from high school. I was far away from my hometown friends and family in a town that I had never heard of until I applied to Tarleton. Thankfully, I was approached with open arms and quickly made friends. Tarleton has an amazing student organization that host events often to engage with students and keep the spirit of Tarleton alive. What also makes Tarleton so unique is that the president is often seen at various events and loves to talk with students and engage with them. Throughout my years at Tarleton I have joined various clubs and have made life long friends. The only thing I would change however, is the science department. Most of the professors in the department are very iffy and I have not had the best experience with them or the dean. Otherwise, I am so honored to be apart of such an amazing program and I will forever bleed purple!... Read 1,916 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 57%

• Net price $13,752

• SAT range 960-1140

• Austin, TX•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  2,477 reviews

Junior: Austin Community College is a great path to higher education. I think it's great for high school graduates because it gives them a chance to grow more first instead of rushing off to university. The different ages and backgrounds of students bring a level of stability that you don't get anywhere else. It's a good place to get your bearings, knowledge, and skills to navigate student life. They now offer bachelor's degrees in computer science too! We often get referred to food pantries and the free public transportation access has been a great help for me. The classes can be much smaller, so you can become more familiar with professors. You can get free tutoring for subjects. The professors have enough time to help you and are understanding. They accommodate disabilities and emergencies. My only complaints would be ACC needs to be expanded and that all campuses could be linked through public transportation to each other. Overall, ACC is stabilizing and understanding.... Read 2,477 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,233

• SAT range —

• Commerce, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  1,244 reviews

Freshman: I’m fortunate that my hometown is also a college town, making it easier to apply to college. My teachers have helped me get to the point where i’m registering for classes for my freshman year. I’m excited to embrace in my new journey here, and I’m going to summer camps for the university as well! So far it’s been stressful trying to turn in all the required information, but it’s all finally sorted out where it feels refreshing to know what i’ll be doing once the the fall semester begins.... Read 1,244 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 87%

• Net price $13,639

• SAT range 930-1150

• Beaumont, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  1,416 reviews

Senior: Lamar University is an excellent university in Beaumont, TX. It helped me get a great start in my academic career. The professors are accommodating and helped me create a schedule that worked for me and allowed me to graduate one year early! I was able to complete a BS degree in three years instead of the traditional four years through the help of my professors. They really listen to you and your goals and help in finding the best solution!... Read 1,416 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 88%

• Net price $11,449

• SAT range 910-1100

• San Antonio, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  1,856 reviews

Freshman: This university is a great place for diversity and offers a wide variety of courses. While it’s certainly not a party school, the school has an amazing social climate for those who are more lowkey with their social interactions. They do a lot of diversity and inclusion training, and treat their freshmen class really well. The faculty and staff are extremely welcoming and nice, I have not had a bad experience with them yet! The professors are mostly very friendly and recognize hard work, and their courses are very informative and thorough. The campus is also very compact, so getting from class to class is not a hassle at all, especially if you’re scheduled back to back. The only cons I can see is the high monetary pricing of the school (as most private colleges) and the fact that the campus VA program does not communicate with the on base VA, so you’re basically setting up your benefits without a lot of help, and it also leads to a lot of misscommunication.... Read 1,856 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 94%

• Net price $21,161

• SAT range 920-1160

• Levelland, TX•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  677 reviews

Freshman: If you're needing a community college that helps you fully and openly, then South Plains College is the one! I started out in a University with large classes, no one on one, and so many overwhelming experiences. I failed my first semester of college and felt so defeated but transferring to SPC helped me with getting motivation to continue attending college. They are super helpful in the process of applying, registering, financial aid, and so much more. There's nothing I would change about my school!... Read 677 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,758

• SAT range —

• San Antonio, TX•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  1,855 reviews

Sophomore: I enrolled into San Antonio College as a new start to a new city. I gained my prerequisites prior to transferring, and enjoyed all of the instructors who have taught me thus far. The classes are small which allowed me to build relationships with my teachers, and they are very community forward. If you need help with anything outside of the classroom, they will share what resources they have to help you be successful! On campus life was extremely active and engaging as well! Every week the college was always celebrating something.... Read 1,855 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,041

• SAT range —

• Amarillo, TX•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  626 reviews

Graduate Student: Amarillo College is an academically challenging institution of higher learning. I have gone on to become a Family Nurse Practitioner- but got my start at AC many years ago. AC is very well known for being a tough school- and I’m so glad I graduated with my first degree from there. Amarillo was a large but very clean and nicely maintained city when I lived there back then- but I cannot believe how much Amarillo has since boomed! Metroplex population of almost 300k! Anyway, AC is definitely worth it!... Read 626 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,302

• SAT range —