Texas offers a robust and diverse landscape for electrical education, catering to a wide range of career paths from university-level engineering to hands-on trade programs. The electrical field has seen significant growth, with the Texas Workforce Commission projecting a 20.3% increase in demand for electricians, making it one of the fastest-growing occupations in the state’s construction industry.
The state’s educational institutions provide pathways that include rigorous four-year Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in electrical engineering at major public universities, as well as more direct and practical routes into the skilled trades. These latter options, offered through a vast network of community colleges, technical schools, and apprenticeships, prepare students for high-demand roles as electricians and technicians. Programs range from one-year certificates and two-year associate degrees to multi-year apprenticeships, with many offering a faster, debt-minimizing path to a rewarding career .
Top 25 Electrical Schools In Texas
1. Texas A&M University (College Station)
Texas A&M University’s Department of Electrical Engineering is a top-tier program, ranking No. 17 nationally and No. 10 among public universities, a prestigious position that reflects its research excellence and strong industry connections. The department is part of the renowned Dwight Look College of Engineering and offers rigorous coursework, extensive research opportunities, and a wide alumni network, preparing students for careers in areas like power systems, telecommunications, and semiconductor development . It offers a comprehensive undergraduate degree and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.
2. The University of Texas at Austin
The Cockrell School of Engineering at UT Austin is highly regarded for its excellent electrical and computer engineering department, which offers a top-tier education with substantial resources and close connections to the technology industry . The program provides students with lucrative career opportunities and research prospects, and it is consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation . Students benefit from the school’s prime location in the state’s capital, a burgeoning tech hub.
3. The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD)
UTD’s Erik Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science offers an ABET-accredited electrical engineering program, a key indicator of quality for the profession. Its location in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex provides students with promising internship and job opportunities at major tech companies. The school is known for its strong emphasis on STEM fields and prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in the electrical engineering sector.
4. University of Houston
The Cullen College of Engineering at the University of Houston offers ABET-accredited programs in both Electrical Engineering and Electrical Power Engineering Technology. The university’s strong ties to Houston’s energy sector and its co-op programs provide students with valuable real-world experience. Undergraduate tuition for engineering programs is approximately $29,714 per year for out-of-state students.
5. Texas State University (San Marcos)
Texas State University’s Ingram School of Engineering offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in electrical engineering, with a Master of Science program that focuses on innovation in areas like semiconductors, power systems, and advanced wireless communications. The curriculum includes both thesis and non-thesis options and prepares graduates for leadership roles in industry, government, and national labs . Undergraduate tuition is approximately $22,956 per year.
6. Dallas College
Dallas College offers multiple electrical programs across its campuses, including a Commercial Electrical Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and an Electrical Construction Certificate in partnership with the Dallas Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. The A.A.S. program develops the technical knowledge and practical skills necessary to enter or advance in the electrical technology field, while the one-year certificate program combines technical and on-the-job training for immediate entry into the workforce.
7. Texas State Technical College (TSTC)
TSTC is a major provider of electrical construction training with multiple campuses, including Waco, Harlingen, Fort Bend County, and Marshall . The certificate program prepares students for immediate employment by developing skills in residential, commercial, and industrial wiring, along with a focus on safety, blueprint reading, and industry certifications . TSTC has also established a partnership with the TDLR, which may waive the 4,000-hour work requirement for the residential wireman license for program graduates.
8. Blinn College (Schulenburg)
Blinn College offers a four-year electrical apprenticeship program that prepares students to take the journeyman electrician exam. The program features approximately 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom instruction each year in partnership with industry leaders like Leon’s Electric and Plumbing Inc.. This program offers a proven pathway for students to gain the required 7,000 hours of on-the-job training needed to apply for a journeyman license.
9. Houston Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC)
The Houston JATC provides one of the premier apprenticeship programs in Texas, offering a direct route to becoming a highly skilled electrician through a partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) . This program produces some of the most well-trained electricians in the state, combining on-the-job experience with classroom instruction. Applications are accepted in person every Wednesday at their Houston Training Center.
10. South Texas College (Rio Grande Valley)
South Texas College’s McAllen Technology Campus offers electrical programs as part of its career and technical education offerings. The college is a key institution for electrical training in the Rio Grande Valley, providing accessible education to help meet the growing workforce demand in the region.
11. El Paso Community College (El Paso)
El Paso Community College offers electrical programs at its main campus, providing a vital pathway for students in West Texas to enter the electrical trade. As a major provider of career and technical education, EPCC helps prepare the local workforce for jobs in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical fields.
12. Lone Star College (Houston Area)
Lone Star College has multiple campuses in the Houston area, including North Harris and Houston North, that offer electrical programs. The college is a significant provider of electrical education in the region, equipping students with the skills to meet the demands of the local construction and energy industries.
13. San Jacinto College (Pasadena & Houston)
San Jacinto College’s North and South campuses offer electrical programs, making it a key player in the Houston area’s technical education landscape. The college prepares students for entry-level positions and provides a foundation for advancement in the electrical field.
14. Lamar Institute of Technology (Beaumont)
Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont offers electrical programs for students in the Southeast Texas region . The institute provides a direct path to a career as an electrician, supporting the workforce needs of the petrochemical and construction industries in the area.
15. Tarrant County College (Fort Worth)
Tarrant County College’s South Campus in Fort Worth offers electrical programs, serving as a key training ground for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex . The college provides students with the practical skills and knowledge required for a successful career in the electrical trades.
16. South Plains College (Levelland)
South Plains College offers electrical programs in Levelland, serving the West Texas region . The college is a vital resource for students seeking technical education and a career as an electrician in a region with significant agricultural and industrial needs.
17. Alamo Colleges District (San Antonio)
The Alamo Colleges District’s Electrical and Electronics Technology Center (EETC) in San Antonio provides electrical programs for the South Texas region . The district is a comprehensive provider of workforce training, offering students the skills needed to enter the electrical field.
18. Brazosport College (Lake Jackson)
Brazosport College in Lake Jackson offers electrical programs to the Gulf Coast region . Located near major industrial complexes, the college plays a critical role in preparing the workforce for the high-demand electrical needs of the petrochemical industry.
19. Houston Community College (Houston)
Houston Community College offers electrical programs across its various campuses in the Houston area, making it a major provider of electrical education in the state’s largest city . Its programs are designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce.
20. Lee College (Baytown)
Lee College in Baytown offers electrical programs, serving the industrial corridor east of Houston . The college’s location is ideal for students seeking careers in the industrial, commercial, and residential electrical fields.
21. CLC Inc. (Fort Worth)
CLC Inc. in Fort Worth is a provider of electrical training in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The institution offers programs that help students gain the skills needed for a career in the electrical trades. This institution steadiily produces tradesmen and technicians to meet the demand for manpower in the state, and across the country.
22. Austin Career Institute (Austin)
Austin Career Institute provides electrical training in the state capital . It serves as a local resource for individuals seeking to enter the electrical field in the rapidly growing Austin area. Whether you are looking to become a CEO building electrical devices, or to work as an electrician in any estalishment, this is a great place to start your journey.
23. Propel Career Academy (San Antonio)
Propel Career Academy in San Antonio offers electrical programs as part of its career-focused curriculum. The academy prepares students for entry-level employment in the electrical industry. Students are also armed with the knowledge to become business owners; building and developing various electrical appliances.
24. Del Mar College (Corpus Christi)
Del Mar College’s Windward Campus in Corpus Christi offers electrical programs to the Coastal Bend region. The college provides training for students seeking careers as electricians and electrical technicians in the area.
25. Galveston College (Galveston)
Galveston College offers electrical programs on the Gulf Coast . The college serves the local community by providing the technical training required for a career in the electrical trades. Studying at this institution can open doors to a long and fruitful career in electronics or associated fields.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Location | Program Type | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas A&M University | College Station | B.S. & M.S. in Electrical Engineering | Top 10 public university, strong industry connections |
| 2 | UT Austin | Austin | B.S. & M.S. in Electrical/Computer Engineering | World‑class resources, top national ranking, tech hub location |
| 3 | UT Dallas | Richardson | B.S. in Electrical Engineering | DFW location, ABET‑accredited, strong STEM focus |
| 4 | University of Houston | Houston | B.S. in Electrical Engineering | Co‑op opportunities, strong energy sector ties |
| 5 | Texas State University | San Marcos | B.S. & M.S. in Electrical Engineering | Focus on semiconducting & wireless, MS with thesis/non‑thesis |
| 6 | Dallas College | Dallas | A.A.S. & Certificate | Partnership with JATC, commercial/residential focus |
| 7 | Texas State Technical College | Multiple Campuses | Certificate | Fast‑track workforce training, TDLR license waiver |
| 8 | Blinn College | Schulenburg | Apprenticeship | 4‑year program, 2,000 on‑the‑job hours annually |
| 9 | Houston JATC | Houston | Apprenticeship | IBEW/NECA partnership, premier worker training |
| 10 | South Texas College | Rio Grande Valley | Certificate/A.A.S. | Serves growing RGV workforce demand |
| 11 | El Paso Community College | El Paso | Certificate/A.A.S. | Key West Texas provider, accessible education |
| 12 | Lone Star College | Houston Area | Certificate/A.A.S. | Serves Houston’s energy and construction industries |
| 13 | San Jacinto College | Pasadena/Houston | Certificate/A.A.S. | Key player in Houston technical education |
| 14 | Lamar Institute of Technology | Beaumont | Certificate/A.A.S. | Serves Southeast Texas industrial region |
| 15 | Tarrant County College | Fort Worth | Certificate/A.A.S. | Serves DFW metroplex, practical skills training |
| 16 | South Plains College | Levelland | Certificate/A.A.S. | Serves West Texas, agricultural/industrial focus |
| 17 | Alamo Colleges District | San Antonio | Certificate/A.A.S. | Comprehensive workforce training for South Texas |
| 18 | Brazosport College | Lake Jackson | Certificate/A.A.S. | Supports Gulf Coast industrial workforce |
| 19 | Houston Community College | Houston | Certificate/A.A.S. | Major provider in Houston, immediate workforce entry |
| 20 | Lee College | Baytown | Certificate/A.A.S. | Serves industrial corridor east of Houston |
| 21 | CLC Inc. | Fort Worth | Certificate | Regional training in DFW metroplex |
| 22 | Austin Career Institute | Austin | Certificate | Local training in high‑growth Austin area |
| 23 | Propel Career Academy | San Antonio | Certificate | Career‑focused entry‑level preparation |
| 24 | Del Mar College | Corpus Christi | Certificate/A.A.S. | Serves Coastal Bend region workforce |
| 25 | Galveston College | Galveston | Certificate/A.A.S. | Serves Gulf Coast technical training needs |
Success Tips for Choosing an Electrical School
Begin by identifying your specific career goals, as this will determine whether a university engineering degree or a technical trade program is the right path for you.
For those aiming to become a professional electrical engineer, focus on ABET-accredited programs at top universities like Texas A&M and UT Austin, and consider factors like research opportunities, industry connections, and internship placements.
If you are seeking a more direct, hands-on career as an electrician, look for programs that offer strong job placement, apprenticeships, and a clear path to licensure.
Consider institutions like Blinn College or the Houston JATC, which provide invaluable on-the-job training and classroom instruction, allowing you to earn while you learn.
Community colleges and technical schools like TSTC and Dallas College are excellent options for certificates and associate degrees that lead directly to the workforce, often at a lower cost and in less time than a four-year degree .
It is also wise to consider schools with partnerships with state licensing bodies like the TDLR, as this can provide a faster pathway to licensure and career entry .
Closing
Texas offers a comprehensive electrical education ecosystem that effectively serves both the engineering and the skilled trades. The state’s top-tier universities produce the engineers who design the future, while its extensive network of community colleges, technical schools, and apprenticeship programs builds the skilled workforce needed to construct and maintain the power and technology infrastructure.
With the demand for electricians and electrical engineers continuing to grow, choosing the right educational path in Texas means selecting a program that aligns with your career aspirations, learning style, and timeline, ultimately leading to a rewarding and high-demand career. Please verify all program specifics, costs, and licensing requirements directly with each institution.