Cost of Colleges in Texas

As part of trying to be a responsible upcoming senior, I'm trying to assess the financial aspects of college. I've been looking into colleges in Texas, as that's where I'm from, and I'm curious to know which ones are among the most expensive. Does anyone have any info on this?

When it comes to the cost of colleges in Texas, it's important to note that tuition costs can greatly vary depending on whether the college is public or private, and whether the student is in-state or out-of-state.

For public universities in Texas, such as the University of Texas system (which includes the University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at San Antonio, etc.) and the Texas A&M University system, the in-state tuition fees tend to be less costly compared to many other states. For instance, tuition and fees at UT Austin for an in-state student is roughly around $10,000 per academic year.

Private universities in Texas, however, tend to be more expensive. Southern Methodist University in Dallas and Rice University in Houston are two of the pricier options, with tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 academic year reaching around $62,000 and $63,000 respectively.

While these numbers constitute the "sticker prices," the net cost can be significantly different depending on the family's financial circumstances, particularly at private universities like Rice, which offers substantial need-based aid. For instance, Rice's "The Rice Investment" financial aid program provides full tuition scholarships to domestic students from families with an income up to $130,000.

Remember that these are just a couple of examples and other costs like room and board, books, and personal expenses should also be considered when analyzing college costs. It's also important to use each specific school's net price calculator to get a more accurate estimate of what you might pay after scholarships and grants.