25 Best Universities In Texas For International Students 2025

Texas is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 79 universities and colleges in Texas, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 79 universities in Texas, University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University are the top-performing schools in Texas. This list covers both public and private institutions in Texas.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Texas. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Texas.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Texas?

Applying to the universities in Texas involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Texas to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Texas?

Tuition fees at Texas’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 4,624 USD to 55,100 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 3,750 USD to 90,900 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Texas!

As we cover the best universities in Texas for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Texas for International Students

A top-performing university, The University of Texas at Austin was established in 1883, as a public institution in the United States. They have 18 colleges and more than 51,000 students are currently enrolled. As they move forward with quality education, they continue to create more learning and research opportunities for all.

Texas A&M University is a premier public research university established in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (AMC) giving the “A&M” to its presents name. It’s the first higher education institution in Texas, providing first-class tertiary education, research, and innovations. Moreover, it acquired the largest number of enrollees, particularly during the fall of 2021. In addition, the university is one of the six American senior military colleges offering full-time military Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs alongside regular academic degree programs.

Rice University was named after the man whose fortune and last will led to the establishment of the university. This private institution in Texas is unique for having a small student population, such that the student-faculty ratio is 6:1. Such a ratio allows for a more focused, quality education and training for each student. While the university offers a variety of programs, it is most known for its applied sciences.

Baylor College of Medicine is a graduate school for students in the medical field. It offers comprehensive and rigorous postgraduate programs that fit the current healthcare industry. The institution has partnerships with various hospitals and teaching universities to help students widen their knowledge.

With a heavy emphasis on concepts relating to cancer, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is the largest cancer center in the country. It serves not only as a degree-granting institution but also as a cancer treatment and research institute. Aspiring students who want to pursue this aspect of the medical field will indeed find the institution a perfect and productive training ground.

The University of Houston is one of the largest academic institutes in Texas, with a student population of over 40,000. UH is also home to the most innovative researchers contributing to advancements in artificial intelligence, biomedical sciences, and space exploration. The university offers over 300 degree programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The University of Texas at Dallas is one of the leading universities in the state. It is a very active research university that participates in numerous events and conferences. Since its establishment, the university has promised to build a stable future for its students by providing professional training and knowledge.

The University of North Texas offers more than 200 programs to students from all over the US and the world. This university is not only committed to offering high-quality education, but also to developing innovative research projects and giving students real-life work experiences. Additionally, they seek to form strong ties with the community, which is why they offer a wide variety of volunteering programs, music camps, professional development courses, and sports.

Texas Tech University (TTU) was founded in 1923. For decades, this institution has established its name in research and education. They have various achievements and awards in the academe, proving their excellence in providing education at all levels. Today, TTU’s student population continues to rise as they enhance the quality of their teachings and research.

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW) is a leading medical institution known for providing exceptional medical programs and clinical training for healthcare professionals and clinical residents. UTSW is one of the largest schools to educate and train medical doctors. It primarily provides interdisciplinary master’s and Ph.D. medical programs. In addition, as a premier university, its faculty members consist of highly respected professionals who are all experts in their respective areas of study.

Are you looking for a Christian university and a leading private institution? Baylor University is one of the oldest and most prominent universities in Texas. This private Christian academe offers hundreds of programs that provide high-quality and research-intensive training. Such is Baylor Uni’s dedication to research that it is classified R1 or having very high research activity by the Carnegie classification system.

Established to serve the residents of its surrounding region, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is a research institution that is situated in the southern parts of Texas. Also known as UT Health San Antonio, this university currently contains five academic colleges that involve medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions, and biomedical sciences. Due to its comprehensive programs, many students have decided to study here at UT Health San Antonio.

The Southern Methodist University was founded over a hundred years ago in Dallas, Texas. It is a leading research university that was established by the region’s Methodist Episcopal Church in 1911. It is known for its excellent and innovative study programs and research in liberal arts. 

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is a public institution founded in 1969. UTSA is a flourishing university that offers a broad spectrum of academic programs at all levels. Diversity is highly promoted on its campuses. It recruits students from across the globe regardless of ethnicity, with most of its student body being of Hispanic origin. Moreover, the university has a vibrant learning environment where students support each other while teachers assist in the academic needs of their students.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston is an academic institution that heavily focuses on degrees related to health, medicine, and more. It offers comprehensive training to aspiring students who want to pursue a career in the medical field. To intensify the students’ educational experience, the university has its own research centers and greatly coordinates with numerous public hospitals.

The University of Texas at Arlington is considered the third-largest producer of professional graduates in Texas. This milestone significantly proves its effective training for its students. The university not only focuses on improving the theoretical foundation of the students but also on their professional skills. This is why the University of Texas at Arlington has intense domestic and international linkages.

The University of Texas at El Paso is one of those highly recognized institutions when it comes to research activities. The university offers utmost support to its students to motivate them and contribute more to society. Carrying this goal, the University of Texas at El Paso is consistent in improving its training centers to meet the demands of the present generation.

The largest member of the Texas State University system is the Texas State University in San Marcos. The system is unique for not having a flagship campus; thus, even though the one in San Marcos is the most prominent, it is not considered a flagship university. Since 1899, Texas State has strived to create a positive impact and promote excellence and innovation through the many majors and programs it offers. The university started as a teacher-training institution and has been transformed into one of Texas’ leading institutions.

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston is the first public university in the United States to offer both medical education and medical services. The university currently has four campuses with hospitals and clinics that provide health care services and serve as training grounds for future medical professionals. The university is also known for its innovative medical research and for providing numerous job opportunities to over 46,000 Texans. 

Stephen F. Austin State University is a public university located in the small city of Nacogdoches, also nicknamed the “Oldest Town in Texas”. It is composed of six colleges offering over 120 study programs to undergraduate and graduate students. The university is also most well-known for its outstanding and innovative programs in agriculture and forestry.

Texas Christian University offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate programs in 7 colleges and 3 schools. The university is famous for its Business School, which has been considered one of the best business schools in the US. In fact, the business administration major is their most popular degree. Besides academic programs, the university has a very active student body since it hosts over 300 student organizations. This includes multiple Christian groups, but they also welcome students from other faiths and have a couple of non-Christian religious organizations, like the Muslim Student Association.

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is one of the largest universities in the state. It is a research-focused institution that provides in-depth academic supervision to students worldwide. The university offers many career opportunities to its graduates due to its strong partnerships with numerous enterprises.

Located on the southern coast of Texas, Lamar University (LU) is a fast-growing institution that is part of the Texas State University System. Housing nearly 20,000 students, the LU is a highly-accredited liberal arts college that offers over 150 selections in bachelor’s, master’s, and even Ph.D. courses. To further increase the student body while making its education more affordable, much funding has been spent on scholarships and financial aid for its prospective students.

Trinity University is a liberal arts university in Texas. It is part of interschool organizations Annapolis Group and the Associated Colleges of the South, both dedicated to the liberal arts. Most of the programs offered are for undergraduates; master’s students choose from a limited number of courses.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is composed of six schools: Medicine, Nursing, Health Professions, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, and Population and Public Health, offered on its campuses around Texas: Abilene, Amarillo, Dallas, Lubbock, and Midland/Odessa. The center is an independent institution that belongs to a larger union, the Texas Tech University System. It provides not only student education but also patient care as well as engages in biomedical and clinical research.