2023 Top Public Universities in Texas

• Austin, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  6,508 reviews

Sophomore: I think a lot of the campus resources are great, and I love my classes so far. A lot of the student organizations that you can join have long waitlists, so it’s good to plan early on the type of extracurricular environment you’d like to be a part of. The buildings on campus range from stellar architectural masterpieces to modern works of art. There are very few things lacking, but part of the package deal of living in Austin is the construction. The whole city, including a lot of campus as of now, is hard to navigate with all of the work being done. It’s very important to do the absolute utmost asap, as the course load and competitive environment encourage daily task building. Doing work as soon as possible is practically the only way to be able to experience social events. If you’ve studies in a smaller environment, especially for intro classes, you’ll run into some kinks trying to adapt to the larger class sizes. What starts here changes the world!... Read 6,508 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 32%

• Net price $16,892

• SAT range 1210-1470

• College Station, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  7,487 reviews

Sophomore: My experience at Texas A&M University in College Station has been nothing if not incredible. Everyone you meet is beyond nice and willing to lend you a hand. Professors (from my experience) want to see you succeed and benefit my education enormously. The environment that the school is in, College Station, TX, is a place like no other because the entire city is built around the university. If you live here, and didn't attend TAMU, you're an oddball - and I love that! Everyone here has a common unity in the best school in the nation for a variety of subjects, especially engineering and agriculture. Last but certainly not least, the traditions give this school life. From the outside looking in, you can't understand; from the inside looking out, you can't even begin to explain, it's truly something special. I cannot wait for the next few years to continue here, I wouldn't change it for the world!... Read 7,487 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 63%

• Net price $19,906

• SAT range 1160-1380

• Lubbock, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  5,161 reviews

Senior: Texas Tech is home! I've grown up in Lubbock all of my life. The city has changed many times over the years, but Texas Tech has thankfully not! The student environment involving athletic events is electric. We're definitely one of the rowdiest groups in college sports. The professors are usually really helpful, and actually want you to succeed at what you do. I've made contacts outside the university and found what I was truly passionate about here. Only because my professors pushed me outside of my comfort zones. It's also an extremely veteran friendly school. Most professors want to assist veterans in transitioning from active duty to civilian life. I've met some of my best friends here as well!... Read 5,161 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 70%

• Net price $15,452

• SAT range 1070-1240

• Richardson, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  2,470 reviews

Freshman: I completed my first year at the University of Texas at Dallas and it was great. I commuted the fall of 2021 and when I did so, I didn’t really have a social life except for the partners I was set up with for labs. For the Spring of 2022, I lived on campus and I had a much better experience. I was able to enjoy the beauty of the campus and make more friends. The classes were challenging but the professors were very understanding. Some things I would change would be to have more social events and better advertising for those events. Even though I was on campus 24/7, I didn’t see enough advertising for events planned by different organizations and would only come to find out of the event as it was happening. Other than that, I find UTD great!... Read 2,470 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 79%

• Net price $11,185

• SAT range 1220-1450

• Houston, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  6,487 reviews

Junior: The school is very diverse and has lots of great resources they provide for their students. It’s massive and they’re always constantly building something new. The only downfall would be the prices of the apartments on campus but living in a city as big as houston you’re able to comfortably live off campus and commute to school. The dining halls have great food, we also have a larger cafeteria and student centers all around campus. Depending on what program you are attending on the campus they all have their own special perks. I attend the Bauer College of Business and the classrooms are not old by any means, everything feels new, and the bathrooms are always clean. We have a large recreation center with lots of different machines to use if you’re into fitness. Also if you like to study outdoors rather than indoors, we have so many shaded areas around trees and even a small fountain nearby the Cullen building. Most students love to do their studying there! Campus life is great here.... Read 6,487 reviews

• grade A minus

• Acceptance rate 63%

• Net price $14,480

• SAT range 1120-1310

• Canyon, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  1,257 reviews

Freshman: This campus feels like a home away from home. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming, always making sure you are having fun and exploring new and exciting places in Canyon. Most of the professors I have encountered are really charismatic and humorous; they make classes exciting and enjoyable even when you have one at 8:00 am. The campus itself is beautiful with lots of places for relaxation and hang outs. It is currently undergoing some new developments which will make student living a lot more reliable and dependable. If you do not have a car, it is a little difficult to venture out and explore what Canyon has to offer, as well as the food on campus can sometimes get a little repetitive with the most common foods being pizza and burgers. Overall, it is a wonderful and fairly safe campus full of joyful and funny students!... Read 1,257 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 58%

• Net price $13,105

• SAT range 920-1130

• Denton, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  5,937 reviews

Sophomore: I have really enjoyed UNT, and the people here are very kind and open, but there are some hiccups. The school is going through a growing period, with this influx of freshman being the largest yet. Which is great, but now their running out of classrooms, on-campus housing for upperclassmen, and every other resource. I am really happy I go to a school that values education for everyone, but I think they need to take a step back and recognize that the quality of life could be better if they raised the bar. But overall, it has been a great school to me, and there are so many outgoing and great people here!... Read 5,937 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 84%

• Net price $13,781

• SAT range 1050-1240

• Edinburg, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  2,741 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 2,741 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 82%

• Net price $4,419

• SAT range 900-1120

• Arlington, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  4,395 reviews

Junior: Overall, In the past 4 years that I’ve been coming here! Technically 2 1/2 in person only because of medical reasons! But the staff and financial office are really nice and easy to work with. Compared to other university’s like UNT, and TCU, the organization of the online classes and financial offices from those schools aren’t great compared to UTA office and class education organization. For instances, in my case I had to medically withdraw and UTA was so understanding and offered many accommodations to help with me, the professors are also understanding! The only thing I really had trouble with recently is getting in contact with Business Advisors and every department isn’t the same, but I feel like if you don’t ask the right questions. They won’t tell you everything; for example, I met with and TCC advisor and she was an ex UTA business advisor and she was telling me about programs and scholarships that UTA Business offers and said an advisor should’ve at least mentioned it to me!... Read 4,395 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 88%

• Net price $15,220

• SAT range 1050-1250

• San Marcos, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  6,395 reviews

Alum: Professors were great! A beautiful environment and campus. Very welcoming experience and a multitude of clubs/organizations to join. Campus and “The Square” (Downtown San Marcos) were full of events. So much that you did not need to go off campus or really far for fun. Great food options locally and on-campus. Great education/study abroad options. Financial Aid and Scholarships could definitely use some improvement. If they had better financial aid packages that depended less on loans and were bigger scholarships amounts, it would be a 5/5. Overall, enjoyed and loved my experience here. I thrived!... Read 6,395 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 85%

• Net price $13,750

• SAT range 1010-1180

• Nacogdoches, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  2,690 reviews

Freshman: I am absolutely in love with SFA! The campus is beautiful and the professors are amazing. When I visited the campus I couldn't get over the giant trees that surrounded the whole place. There are also many trails and a lovely arboretum to visit. I love nature, so the fact that SFA was such a nature based setting, made me so excited! The professors I have had so far have also been such wonderful people. I can see that they want their students to succeed and that has made me feel more comfortable being in college. It was hard leaving home and coming to a new school, but Stephen F. Austin State University has become my second home.... Read 2,690 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 76%

• Net price $12,649

• SAT range 980-1150

• Tyler, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  1,177 reviews

Freshman: Lovely place filled with kind staff & students; as a CAP student, I found UTT to be very pleasant. My one critique is that some of Fall 2020's online-only classes were handled very poorly, with lessons that did not prepare students for their tests. Tips for aspiring Patriots: -Get a planner, use it often. -Connect with your peers; if you can, start a class group chat. You won't regret it! -Use the free tutoring UTT provides. Struggling or not, there's no shame in getting free help. -University Pines is optional! You are auto-assigned there, but if cost is your priority I suggest switching to Liberty Landing. (Apartments with lower numbers are ideal - they've been renovated, and the rest will be soon.) -USE YOUR DINING DOLLARS! They do not carry over to the next semester, nor do any meal passes you do not use. So be sure to spend them all. -Finally, try to rent supplies and textbooks rather than buying them - and be sure you're getting a fair price. I hope this review was helpful!... Read 1,177 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 92%

• Net price $11,658

• SAT range 1030-1220

• Odessa, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  694 reviews

Sophomore: Online classes are a must for me. I like the fact that so many classes are available to choose from and that the mini-mesters include a large variety of open classes. I have enjoyed the option of taking fast-paced classes. I have taken a few classes where I felt the required material was unreasonable in that it was near impossible to complete the reading and project assignments while also taking other classes. Still, for the most part, the classes are challenging but manageable.... Read 694 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 88%

• Net price $7,424

• SAT range 920-1110

• Denton, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  2,201 reviews

Junior: Texas Woman's University is an amazing school. I am a nursing student at the Houston campus. I have learned so much in my short time attending. I have only spent a semester at TWU and I absolutely love it. The professors are very knowledgeable and they are really good at teaching and making lectures engaging. The professors have been nice, understanding, and very professional. Although the content they teach can be difficult, they deliver it in a way that is easy to understand. They really let you know their expectations from the beginning and it sets you up for success in their classes. Even after our first exam, some of the students that struggled with the first exam had one on one meetings with our professors to see what areas the student needed help with. Which I think is very helpful! The student life center at TWU Houston is absolutely my favorite. They really do care about the students. They set out snacks every day for students to come by and get incase we get hungry.... Read 2,201 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 94%

• Net price $10,087

• SAT range 930-1140

• Stephenville, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  1,856 reviews

Junior: I have had an amazing experience at Tarleton! I am working on getting my Bachelor's degree going through McLennan Community College University Center partnered with Tarleton State University at Waco. The quality of education you receive for the cost is amazing! I love Tarleton because I feel like I am part of a big family. The professors truly care about you and your success, as well as your classmates. I never felt like I was alone. In one of my courses, my classmates had a group message where we can ask questions, and schedule times to study together. The support I had from my classmates and my professors gave me the confidence I needed to succeed. There are also so many ways to get involved on campus to make your experience fun and rewarding! I would definitely recommend attending Tarleton. It is a great school!... Read 1,856 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 58%

• Net price $15,181

• SAT range 940-1120

• San Angelo, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  1,326 reviews

Senior: I absolutely love ASU! I couldn't imagine myself at any other university. The connections and opportunities I have been given here is like no other! Everyone truly cares about you and your success. Professors know your name and actually care to help you. The financial help is also awesome; they offer hundreds of scholarships to help students. I personally am going to graduate debt free because of their help. Student life is amazing and is the best way to get involved. I personally have had so much success being in Greek Life. However, there are so many other amazing organizations to get involved in. All in all, I feel that Angelo State is the best university!... Read 1,326 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 78%

• Net price $12,420

• SAT range 920-1120

• Wichita Falls, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.71 out of 5  1,116 reviews

Sophomore: My first two years at Midwestern State University has been exciting! Sports events, extracurriculars, Intermural sports, meeting new people, roommates! Learning new things everyday, one thing I would change is dining choices, doesn’t have much variation.... Read 1,116 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 71%

• Net price $10,094

• SAT range 910-1100

• Huntsville, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  3,799 reviews

Freshman: Sam Houston State University is a very affordable school with great academic opportunities. There is a lot of support on campus; the financial aid office is incredibly helpful. The campus offers free counseling, a lot of restaurants, and many fun events. The town is beautiful! There are flowers almost everywhere on campus and many great small businesses around for certain necessities. The library has a wide variety of literature and provides a large space to study. The campus is very diverse and makes sure that every student of all backgrounds is catered to. Everyone genuinely has a voice here.... Read 3,799 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 92%

• Net price $13,904

• SAT range 970-1120

• Victoria, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  519 reviews

Sophomore: At Jaguar Journey, new students are introduced to campus life at UHV. The weekend is packed with activities and informational sessions to let students know about services intended to help them succeed. Jaguar Journey is held in Victoria the weekend before classes begin for the fall semester, and teaches new students what it means to be a Jaguar! This annual tradition was voted as the best overall experience at UHV. Throughout each academic school year, JAB takes students out of town on a variety of different road trips. These road trips have become a central part of student involvement on campus. Past road trips have included going to Fiesta Texas, UH Football games, and Schlitterbahn. Students have a blast experiencing these attractions, and look forward to attending each time they become available.... Read 519 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 67%

• Net price $9,657

• SAT range 930-1090

• Laredo, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  1,349 reviews

Freshman: I just started as a freshman and am thoroughly enjoying the environment this university offers. Many people from a variety of places are continuing their studies here which allows for a more diverse crowd when it comes to networking. The campus is a pretty good size and I feel really safe due to the area it is in. There are many options for help on your studies and would highly recommend this university to anyone going into the medical, business, or criminal justice field. The study areas are really great too, allowing you to focus and better yourself in any field that needs any improvement on. Lets go Dustdevils!... Read 1,349 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 59%

• Net price $4,165

• SAT range 920-1100

• San Antonio, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  4,685 reviews

Freshman: The University of San Antonio is the perfect "in-between" school. UTSA has the big school feel that most graduating seniors desire when searching for colleges to attend. At the same time, the school isn't SO big that the classrooms are too big for the professors to even know their students. With my experience at UTSA, all of my classes were a pretty decent size yet the professors could pick out students and remember their names pretty easily. Due to this fact, the retaining information, learning, and the education system there overall was great. Being able to learn here has been very easy for me and fun. Not only is the education and campus ideal, but the student life is also a big factor with this school. All the students seem to participate in all school activities and are huge supporters of the athletics. They are also all very welcoming and nice to all the new students! To anyone looking to attend UTSA, I would fully recommend it!... Read 4,685 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 84%

• Net price $10,934

• SAT range 1020-1210

• Corpus Christi, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  2,039 reviews

Junior: I have had a great experience over the last three years! It’s a beautiful campus with amazing teachers. I am glad to call this campus home. It’s a great place to be for students and a great location! It’s awesome to study at the beach! They have people who are always ready to help and they have a diverse food choice. The campus is clean and if you like cats their are campus cats all around. Make sure to get to campus a little before your class starts because parking may be limited at times. Everyone is super friendly and they have fun activities through out the semester. One of my favorites is when it’s during finals week, they bring out puppies to play with.... Read 2,039 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 90%

• Net price $14,294

• SAT range 1000-1180

• El Paso, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  2,947 reviews

Junior: The University of Texas at El Paso is an excellent institution! UTEP has over 166 different majors! Not only that, but it also includes cheerleading, football, basketball, soccer, and other sports! There is also a recreational gym on campus where you can lift weights, swim in the pool, and even go rock climbing! The best part is that there are three different dorm buildings. You can go with six friends, four friends, or even your own solo studio! Furthermore, the professors and staff are from all over the world, ensuring that all students receive the best education possible. Tuition is less expensive than at other universities, and you get the same experience!... Read 2,947 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,758

• SAT range 940-1130

• Beaumont, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  1,378 reviews

Freshman: I would say honestly Lamar University is a nice and laid back school. They care for their students, the comfortability of all attendees and more. My experience with professors has all been great run ins, never aggressive! They’ve all be understanding and thorough with their assignments, lectures, and point of the job and lesson.... Read 1,378 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 83%

• Net price $11,116

• SAT range 960-1140

• Commerce, TX•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  1,194 reviews

Niche User: If you are wanting to go to a college that will treat you right, and give you respect that you deserve, Texas A&M Commerce is the place to go. They offer so many classes and careers and opportunities for anyone, and also classes that you are interested in. They offer a safe campus and plenty of activities to do, ex: ride bikes, play basketball, fishing, weight room, and so much more. They offer a good amount of food places like, Chick-Fil-A, Starbucks, sushi, and more. I personally love this college because they take care of me and they offer so many opportunities for people. If I could recommend any college, this is the place to go!... Read 1,194 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 60%

• Net price $12,853

• SAT range 950-1150