Best Economics Schools in Texas

Texas has 16 colleges offering Economics programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 1,127 recent graduates. Graduates earn $47,607 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $48,479.

School choice matters significantly: Rice University graduates earn $72,884 while The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates earn $29,141 — a $43,743 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

16
Schools in TX
$47,607
TX Avg. Earnings
$48,479
National Avg.
413
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Economics in Texas

Public Schools (10)
$42,778
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (6)
$55,656
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $12,878 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Economics Schools in Texas, Ranked by Earnings

#1
R

Rice University

Houston, TX · Private

$72,884
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $87,989
Graduates: 40
Acceptance: 7.9%
#2
S

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private

$62,012
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $50,628
Graduates: 61
Acceptance: 61.2%
#3
T

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX · Private

$55,286
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $55,051
Graduates: 73
Acceptance: 42.6%
#4
T

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public

$54,238
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $50,245
Graduates: 367
Acceptance: 29.1%
#5
T

Trinity University

San Antonio, TX · Private

$52,107
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 28.2%
#6
T

The University of Texas at Arlington

Arlington, TX · Public

$50,856
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $44,032
Graduates: 40
Acceptance: 81.3%
#7
T

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

$49,814
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $47,856
Graduates: 191
Acceptance: 63.2%
#8
U

University of Dallas

Irving, TX · Private

$47,260
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $39,179
Graduates: 19
Acceptance: 54.2%
#9
T

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX · Public

$44,970
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $43,863
Graduates: 102
Acceptance: 70.9%
#10
A

Austin College

Sherman, TX · Private

$44,384
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 46.7%
#11
U

University of North Texas

Denton, TX · Public

$43,575
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $41,660
Graduates: 30
Acceptance: 72.5%
#12
T

The University of Texas at Dallas

Richardson, TX · Public

$42,682
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $44,411
Graduates: 41
Acceptance: 65.5%
#13
U

University of Houston

Houston, TX · Public

$40,768
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $42,417
Graduates: 114
Acceptance: 69.5%
#14
T

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public

$36,674
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $35,227
Graduates: 30
Acceptance: 89.5%
#15
T

Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX · Public

$35,060
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 89.5%
#16
T

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public

$29,141
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,592
Graduates: 19
Acceptance: 84.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Economics in Texas?
Rice University ranks #1 for Economics in Texas with median graduate earnings of $72,884 within two years of graduation. There are 16 schools offering Economics programs in the state.
How much do Economics graduates earn in Texas?
Economics graduates in Texas earn an average of $47,607 within two years of graduation. This is 2% below the national average of $48,479 for this major.
What is the hardest Economics school to get into in Texas?
Rice University is the most selective Economics program in Texas with an acceptance rate of 7.9%. The average acceptance rate across Economics programs in the state is 59.8%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Economics in Texas?
In Texas, private Economics programs produce average earnings of $55,656 vs $42,778 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 10 public and 6 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Texas

All colleges in Texas →

Economics in Other States

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.