Phillip EdwinTexas is home to a powerhouse collection of engineering schools, featuring programs that consistently rank among the best in the nation for their academic rigor, research output, and graduate career outcomes. The state’s engineering landscape is anchored by premier institutions like the University of Texas at Austin, whose Cockrell School of Engineering is ranked No. 6 in the nation , and Texas A&M University, which boasts four #1 programs in Texas.
With a wide range of specializations from petroleum and civil to mechanical and computer engineering, the choice of the right program has a substantial impact on earning potential and return on investment. Notably, graduates from Rice University earn an average of $89,718, while UT Austin’s engineering program yields $75,121.
Top 25 Engineering Schools In Texas
1. Rice University
Rice University’s engineering school leads Texas in graduate earnings, with alumni earning an average of $89,718 annually. Rice engineering graduates also have the lowest student debt burden, borrowing just $11,000 on average, which is reflected in an excellent loan payment burden ratio . The school has a high 95% graduation rate and is recognized for its strong social mobility, with a 78th percentile mobility score.
2. The University of Texas at Austin
UT Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering is the highest-ranked program in Texas, placing No. 6 in the nation. The school is home to the #1 ranked Petroleum Engineering program and has all of its engineering disciplines ranked in the top 25 nationally. Graduates earn a median of $75,121, and the school is renowned for its ability to deliver elite outcomes with a 100th percentile social mobility score, meaning it excels at serving and advancing students from all backgrounds.
3. Texas A&M University
Texas A&M’s College of Engineering is a national powerhouse, ranked No. 17 overall and in the top 10 among public institutions. The university leads the state in several critical fields, holding the #1 spot in Texas for Petroleum, Biological and Agricultural, Industrial and Systems, and Materials Science and Engineering. Engineering graduates from Texas A&M earn an average of $72,097 annually and have a high 84% graduation rate, demonstrating strong academic performance.
4. Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University’s Lyle School of Engineering produces graduates earning an average of $78,354, placing it among the top five in Texas for graduate earnings. The school also has a strong 84% graduation rate. Located in Dallas, SMU offers engineering students access to a major metropolitan area with extensive internship and career opportunities in the technology and defense sectors.
5. The University of Texas at Dallas
UT Dallas’s Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science offers an excellent return on investment, with graduates earning $68,227. The program is a leader in social mobility, with a 96th percentile score, and is highly accessible, with a 75% graduation rate. The school’s focus on STEM fields and its location in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex provide students with valuable industry connections and career opportunities.
6. The University of Texas at Arlington
UT Arlington’s engineering program is a top performer for social mobility, earning a 99th percentile score. Graduates earn an average of $63,199, which is a strong return on investment given the school’s low net price. The College of Engineering has a full-time enrollment of 1,298 students and is known for its accessible, high-quality education.
7. Texas Tech University
Texas Tech’s Whitacre College of Engineering produces graduates earning a median of $62,454. The school offers an in-state tuition of $8,347 per year for master’s students, making it an affordable option with strong outcomes. Its engineering programs, particularly in mechanical engineering, consistently rank among the top in the state.
8. The University of Texas at San Antonio
UTSA’s Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design is a rising program with a strong social mobility score of 100th percentile, meaning it is among the best in the nation for advancing low-income students . Graduates earn an average of $62,377. With an in-state tuition of $7,752 per year, it provides an accessible pathway to an engineering career.
9. The University of Houston
The University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering has a full-time enrollment of 1,192 students and offers in-state tuition of $10,424 per year for master’s students. The school is a key contributor to the Houston area’s engineering workforce, with strong ties to the energy and aerospace industries. Engineering graduates earn an average of $62,377.
10. University of Houston-Clear Lake
UHCL’s engineering program stands out for its focus on accessibility, with 44% of its students receiving Pell Grants. Graduates earn an average of $59,004, demonstrating that the school successfully produces strong outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds . Its 91st percentile mobility score reflects its commitment to social mobility.
11. Texas State University
Texas State University’s engineering program is a leader in social mobility, with a 99th percentile score. Graduates earn an average of $57,131, and the school’s accessible nature is further reflected in its 89.5% acceptance rate. Located in San Marcos, it provides a strong engineering foundation for students in the Austin-San Antonio corridor.
12. University of North Texas
UNT’s College of Engineering produces graduates earning an average of $57,010 . The school has a 98th percentile mobility score, indicating strong success in serving and advancing students from all backgrounds . With affordable tuition and a growing reputation, UNT is a solid option for students in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
13. The University of Texas at Tyler
UT Tyler’s engineering program offers a strong combination of affordability and positive outcomes, with graduates earning $57,053 annually . The program has a 87th percentile mobility score and a low median student debt of $17,137, making it a cost-effective choice . The school’s engineering program is designed to meet the needs of the growing East Texas region.
14. The University of Texas at El Paso
UTEP’s College of Engineering is a key institution in West Texas, with a 84th percentile mobility score . Graduates earn $50,923 and benefit from the school’s unique location on the U.S.-Mexico border, which offers distinct opportunities in cross-border industries . The program is dedicated to serving its diverse regional community.
15. The University of Texas Permian Basin
UTPB offers an accessible engineering program with a 99th percentile mobility score, meaning it is a national leader in advancing low-income students. With a median student debt of $17,750, graduates earn an average of $56,073 . The program is tailored to the energy industry needs of the Permian Basin region.
16. Texas A&M University-Kingsville
TAMUK’s Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering was ranked No. 2 on Collegefactual.com’s list of Most Focused Engineering Programs in Texas. The program has a 90th percentile mobility score and graduates earn an average of $51,450. All of its engineering programs are ABET-accredited, ensuring industry-standard education.
17. Lamar University
Lamar University’s College of Engineering is a strong provider of affordable engineering education in Southeast Texas, with graduates earning a median of $49,652. The school has a 93rd percentile mobility score and an in-state tuition of $6,471 per year for master’s students, making it a cost-effective option . Its location near the Gulf Coast industrial corridor provides unique career opportunities in the petrochemical sector.
18. Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View A&M’s engineering program has a 99th percentile mobility score, reflecting its success in serving and graduating students from diverse backgrounds. The program has a strong focus on producing a diverse engineering workforce, and graduates earn an average of $45,411 . It is a historically Black university with a proud tradition of engineering excellence.
19. West Texas A&M University
West Texas A&M offers an engineering program with a strong social mobility focus, scoring in the 76th percentile. Graduates earn an average of $51,865. The school is committed to preparing students for the workforce in the Texas Panhandle and beyond, offering a practical, career-oriented engineering education.
20. Texas A&M International University
TAMIU’s engineering program is a leader in accessibility, with a 99th percentile mobility score . Graduates earn $48,386, and the school has an extremely low average net price of $3,637, making it one of the most affordable options in the state. Located in Laredo, it plays a vital role in serving the South Texas border region.
21. Midwestern State University
Midwestern State University’s engineering program has an 88th percentile mobility score and produces graduates earning $53,040. The program offers a focused engineering curriculum in the Wichita Falls area. It serves as a key educational resource for the North Texas region.
22. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
TAMU-CC offers an engineering program with a 76th percentile mobility score. Graduates earn an average of $51,865. The program is unique for its focus on coastal and marine engineering applications, leveraging its location on the Texas Gulf Coast.
23. Trinity University
Trinity University’s engineering program is offered in a private, liberal arts setting with a strong 83% graduation rate. Graduates earn an average of $71,668, showcasing the value of its engineering degree. The program is one of the top options for engineering in the San Antonio area.
24. LeTourneau University
LeTourneau University is a private institution that was ranked No. 1 by Collegefactual.com for being the “Most Focused” engineering school in Texas . The school’s curriculum has a strong emphasis on technology and practical application, and it graduates 60% of its students . LeTourneau offers a unique, faith-based engineering education.
25. Baylor University
Baylor University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science has a full-time enrollment of 194 graduate students. The school offers a strong graduate engineering program in a private university setting . Its location in Waco provides students with a traditional college experience.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Graduate Earnings | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice University | $89,718 | Highest earnings, low debt burden, 95% graduation |
| 2 | The University of Texas at Austin | $75,121 | #6 National, #1 Petroleum, 100% mobility score |
| 3 | Texas A&M University | $72,097 | #1 TX in 4 specialties, top 10 public |
| 4 | Southern Methodist University | $78,354 | #5 earnings, strong 84% graduation rate |
| 5 | The University of Texas at Dallas | $68,227 | 96% mobility, strong STEM focus, DFW location |
| 6 | The University of Texas at Arlington | $63,199 | 99% mobility, accessible, low net price |
| 7 | Texas Tech University | $62,454 | Affordable in‑state tuition, strong ME program |
| 8 | The University of Texas at San Antonio | $62,377 | 100% mobility, #1 for social advancement |
| 9 | University of Houston | $62,377 | Energy industry ties, Houston location |
| 10 | University of Houston‑Clear Lake | $59,004 | 44% Pell grants, 91% mobility |
| 11 | Texas State University | $57,131 | 99% mobility, 89.5% acceptance rate |
| 12 | University of North Texas | $57,010 | 98% mobility, DFW location |
| 13 | The University of Texas at Tyler | $57,053 | Low debt, 87% mobility, East Texas focus |
| 14 | The University of Texas at El Paso | $50,923 | Borderland focus, 84% mobility |
| 15 | The University of Texas Permian Basin | $56,073 | 99% mobility, energy industry focus |
| 16 | Texas A&M University‑Kingsville | $51,450 | #2 Most Focused, all ABET accredited |
| 17 | Lamar University | $49,652 | Affordable tuition, petrochemical ties |
| 18 | Prairie View A&M University | $45,411 | 99% mobility, HBCU with engineering focus |
| 19 | West Texas A&M University | $51,865 | Panhandle focus, 76% mobility |
| 20 | Texas A&M International University | $48,386 | 99% mobility, lowest net price |
| 21 | Midwestern State University | $53,040 | Wichita Falls location, 88% mobility |
| 22 | Texas A&M‑Corpus Christi | $51,865 | Coastal/marine engineering focus |
| 23 | Trinity University | $71,668 | Private liberal arts, 83% graduation |
| 24 | LeTourneau University | Varies | #1 Most Focused, faith‑based education |
| 25 | Baylor University | Varies | Private university, graduate engineering |
Success Tips for Choosing an Engineering School
Start by considering your specific area of interest, as the strongest program can be based on a specialty. For example, Texas A&M holds the #1 position in Texas for Petroleum, Biological/Agricultural, Industrial, and Materials Science Engineering, which is a key factor if you are set on one of those fields.
Evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, which can vary significantly by discipline; UT Austin’s Civil Engineering program, for instance, yields $95,271 compared to the state average of $81,034. Don’t just look at a university’s overall reputation; look at the outcomes of its specific program.
Also, weigh the cost against the earning potential; a school with a lower net price like UT Arlington might offer a better return on investment for some students than a more expensive private institution.
For students from low-income backgrounds, consider the social mobility scores, as schools like UTSA and UT Austin have near-perfect scores, demonstrating a strong commitment to advancing all students.
Closing
Texas offers a powerful and diverse network of engineering schools, from the globally top-ranked programs at UT Austin and Texas A&M to the accessible and high-return programs at institutions like UTSA and UT Arlington. These schools provide the critical education and credentials needed for some of the most lucrative and impactful careers in the state.
The impressive earning power of graduates from programs like Rice, UT Austin, and SMU highlights the significant return on investment in a Texas engineering degree. With a range of affordable public universities and specialized programs serving every region of the state, Texas engineering schools are developing the next generation of engineers who will lead in energy, technology, and infrastructure. Note that all information, including rankings and tuition, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each institution.