Can somebody fill me in on the most competitive colleges in Texas?

I live in Texas and I would prefer to go to college in-state, but I'm sort of lost on which ones are the most competitive. Could anyone point me to a list or tell me a bit about them?

Sure, I can definitely help break down the competitive landscape of higher education in Texas.

1. Rice University: This is perhaps the most competitive university in Texas, and it's known for its strong programs in natural sciences, business, and music. Rice has a very low student-to-teacher ratio, which allows for a lot of personalized attention in classrooms.

2. University of Texas at Austin: UT Austin is another highly competitive school, particularly known for its strong programs in business, engineering, and communication. With over 50,000 students, it offers a large, diverse array of academic opportunities.

3. Southern Methodist University (SMU): SMU is located in Dallas and is known for its strong programs in business, performing arts, and engineering.

4. Texas A&M University: Texas A&M in College Station is one of the biggest universities in the nation. It offers a huge range of programs, but its most highly-ranked include their engineering, agriculture, and business programs.

5. Baylor University: A private Baptist university, Baylor is known for its rigorous academic programs. Some of the most acclaimed include nursing, business, and the health sciences.

6. Trinity University: Trinity, in San Antonio, is a competitive liberal arts school. Though smaller than many of the universities I listed, it still offers comprehensive programs, especially in business and computer science.

Remember, competitiveness can vary depending on the specific program or major you're interested in. Be sure to look into each school’s admissions requirements and average accepted student profiles to get a sense of where you might fit in.