Top 3 Computer Programming Programs in Texas 2025
University of Texas at Austin
Premier public programming program in the heart of Silicon Hills with direct pipelines to Dell, IBM, and Oracle headquarters
Rice University
Elite small programming program with 6:1 student-faculty ratio and highest graduate starting salaries in Texas ($95K)
Texas A&M University
Strong engineering-focused programming curriculum with extensive industry partnerships and robust alumni network
- 1.Texas has 50+ accredited computer programming bachelor's programs across UT System, Texas State University System, and private institutions (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.University of Texas at Austin ranks #1 in Texas with 87% graduation rate and direct access to Austin's Silicon Hills tech corridor
- 3.Texas programming graduates earn median $128,450 annually—8% above national median—with no state income tax (BLS Texas OEWS 2024)
- 4.Austin ranks as America's #2 tech hub with 285,000+ technology jobs and major employers including Dell, IBM, Oracle, Tesla, and Samsung
- 5.In-state tuition at top Texas public universities averages $12,045—significantly lower than California or Northeast alternatives
Computer Programming Education Landscape in Texas
Texas offers one of the nation's most robust computer programming education ecosystems, anchored by world-class public universities and a thriving technology sector. From UT Austin's prestigious computer science program to specialized programming tracks at regional universities, Texas provides exceptional value with in-state tuition averaging $12,000—half the cost of comparable programs in California or the Northeast.
The state's programming programs benefit from proximity to major tech employers including Dell (Round Rock headquarters), IBM (Austin), Oracle (Austin), Tesla Gigafactory, Samsung semiconductor facilities, and hundreds of startups in the Silicon Hills ecosystem. This geographic advantage translates to abundant internship opportunities, industry partnerships, and direct recruitment pipelines.
For students considering nationwide options, review our national computer programming rankings for comparative analysis. Career-focused students should explore our software engineer salary guide for Texas-specific compensation data and our programming skills development guide for complementary learning paths.
Based on 25 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS Texas May 2024, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 data
Class size and individual attention metrics
Texas-specific salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024
Acceptance rate indicating academic rigor
Texas Computer Programming Bachelor's Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Texas at Austin | Austin | Public | $11,678 | 87% | 17:1 | 96.8 |
| 2 | Rice University | Houston | Private | $54,960 | 94% | 6:1 | 95.2 |
| 3 | Texas A&M University | College Station | Public | $12,413 | 82% | 20:1 | 92.4 |
| 4 | University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson | Public | $14,564 | 74% | 24:1 | 89.6 |
| 5 | University of Houston | Houston | Public | $12,518 | 69% | 23:1 | 87.8 |
| 6 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock | Public | $11,880 | 64% | 26:1 | 85.3 |
| 7 | University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington | Public | $11,856 | 58% | 27:1 | 83.7 |
| 8 | Texas State University | San Marcos | Public | $11,520 | 62% | 26:1 | 82.1 |
| 9 | University of Texas at San Antonio | San Antonio | Public | $10,902 | 55% | 25:1 | 80.8 |
| 10 | Southern Methodist University | Dallas | Private | $61,980 | 82% | 11:1 | 80.2 |
| 11 | Baylor University | Waco | Private | $51,738 | 78% | 15:1 | 79.5 |
| 12 | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth | Private | $53,760 | 80% | 13:1 | 78.9 |
| 13 | University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso | Public | $9,072 | 48% | 26:1 | 77.4 |
| 14 | Texas A&M University-Commerce | Commerce | Public | $9,828 | 45% | 19:1 | 76.2 |
| 15 | Stephen F. Austin State University | Nacogdoches | Public | $10,602 | 52% | 20:1 | 75.8 |
| 16 | University of North Texas | Denton | Public | $12,300 | 58% | 28:1 | 75.1 |
| 17 | Texas A&M University-Kingsville | Kingsville | Public | $9,030 | 44% | 18:1 | 74.5 |
| 18 | University of Texas-Tyler | Tyler | Public | $10,620 | 55% | 18:1 | 73.9 |
| 19 | Lamar University | Beaumont | Public | $10,590 | 42% | 20:1 | 72.8 |
| 20 | Texas Southern University | Houston | Public | $10,824 | 31% | 16:1 | 71.2 |
| 21 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | Public | $11,730 | 59% | 23:1 | 70.6 |
| 22 | West Texas A&M University | Canyon | Public | $8,940 | 48% | 19:1 | 69.8 |
| 23 | Prairie View A&M University | Prairie View | Public | $10,729 | 42% | 16:1 | 68.5 |
| 24 | Tarleton State University | Stephenville | Public | $11,310 | 52% | 20:1 | 67.9 |
| 25 | Sul Ross State University | Alpine | Public | $8,664 | 39% | 15:1 | 66.2 |
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • University
Program Highlights
- • Located 15 minutes from Dell Technologies headquarters
- • Over 200 corporate recruiting partnerships
- • Elements of Programming course ranked among best introductory CS courses nationally
- • Access to Texas Advanced Computing Center supercomputing resources
Program Strengths
- Top 10 nationally ranked CS program with programming specializations
- Direct access to Austin tech ecosystem (Dell, IBM, Oracle, Tesla, Samsung)
- Research opportunities in AI, cybersecurity, and systems programming
- Exceptional value at $11,678 in-state tuition
- 87% graduation rate with average starting salaries of $85,000+
Why Ranked #1
UT Austin's computer science program ranks among the nation's top 10 public programs, distinguished by world-class faculty research, extensive industry partnerships, and location in Silicon Hills—Austin's thriving tech corridor with 285,000+ technology jobs.
Student Reviews
"The programming curriculum at UT is incredibly rigorous but practical. My algorithms and data structures course directly prepared me for technical interviews at major tech companies."
— CS Graduate, Class of 2024
"Being in Austin means constant exposure to the tech industry. I had internship offers from three different companies within walking distance of campus."
— Junior, Computer Science
Rice University
Houston, TX • University
Program Highlights
- • Partnership with NASA Johnson Space Center for aerospace programming projects
- • Houston's largest medical center provides health tech programming opportunities
- • Capstone projects often become funded startups
- • Alumni network includes founders of major Houston tech companies
Program Strengths
- Exceptional 6:1 student-faculty ratio enabling personalized attention
- 94% graduation rate—highest among Texas programming programs
- Strong connections to Houston's energy and aerospace tech sectors
- Comprehensive programming curriculum from web development to systems programming
- Average starting salaries of $95,000—highest in Texas
Why Ranked #2
Rice University offers Texas's most elite programming education with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, 94% graduation rate, and the highest starting salaries for graduates in the state. The small cohort size enables intensive mentorship and research opportunities.
Student Reviews
"The small class sizes at Rice mean you get to know professors personally. My programming professor became my research mentor and helped me land a NASA internship."
— Senior, Computer Science
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX • University
Program Highlights
- • NSA-designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
- • Partnership with Microsoft for cloud computing curriculum
- • Aggie Network provides extensive career placement support
- • Strong placement rates at defense contractors and Fortune 500 companies
Program Strengths
- Engineering-focused programming curriculum with practical applications
- Strong cybersecurity programming track with NSA designation
- Extensive alumni network in major tech companies
- Research opportunities in distributed systems and cloud computing
- Affordable $12,413 in-state tuition with 82% graduation rate
Why Ranked #3
Texas A&M's programming curriculum emphasizes practical engineering applications with strong industry connections. The program benefits from the university's extensive alumni network and research focus in cybersecurity and distributed systems.
Texas University Systems for Programming Education
Texas's public university systems provide exceptional programming education value through coordinated curriculum standards and shared resources. The University of Texas System leads with flagship campuses in Austin, Dallas, Arlington, and San Antonio, each offering specialized programming tracks tailored to regional industry needs.
The Texas A&M University System emphasizes engineering-focused programming education across College Station, Commerce, Kingsville, and other campuses. These programs particularly excel in systems programming, cybersecurity, and industrial applications. The Texas State University System provides accessible programming education with strong ties to regional employers and practical workforce development focus.
Students benefit from system-wide transfer agreements, shared online resources, and coordinated industry partnerships. For example, Microsoft Azure curriculum is standardized across UT System campuses, while Texas A&M campuses share NSA cybersecurity designations and defense industry connections. Community college transfer pathways are well-established, particularly through Austin Community College to UT Austin and Houston Community College to University of Houston.
Private institutions like Rice University, SMU, and TCU offer smaller cohort sizes and personalized attention but at significantly higher tuition costs. These programs typically provide stronger alumni networks in specific industries—Rice in energy and aerospace, SMU in finance and consulting, TCU in telecommunications and regional business applications.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Design and develop applications, systems software, and mobile applications for Texas's thriving tech sector
Web Developer
Create and maintain websites and web applications for Austin's numerous startups and established tech companies
Mobile Application Developer
Develop iOS and Android applications for consumer and enterprise markets
Systems Programmer
Develop and maintain system software, operating systems, and embedded systems for tech and energy sectors
Game Developer
Design and program video games for Texas's growing gaming industry including id Software and Gearbox
Automate deployment, scaling, and management of applications and infrastructure
Computer Programming Programs in Other States
California
New York
Florida
Washington
Illinois
| Factor | Public Universities | Private Universities | Community Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average In-State Tuition | $11,200 | $54,150 | $3,580 |
| Average Class Size | 25-30 students | 15-20 students | 20-25 students |
| Research Opportunities | Extensive | Limited but focused | Minimal |
| Industry Connections | Strong regional | Elite national | Local workforce |
| Transfer Pathways | Within system | Limited | Extensive to 4-year |
| Financial Aid | Moderate | Generous need-based | Minimal |
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to one of America's largest tech ecosystems (Austin, Dallas, Houston)
- Exceptional value with no state income tax and affordable tuition
- Direct pipelines to major employers like Dell, IBM, Oracle, Tesla, Samsung
- Strong public university options with nationally recognized programs
- Growing startup scene with abundant internship opportunities
- Lower cost of living compared to California or Northeast tech hubs
- Warm climate and business-friendly environment
- Access to the largest tech companies (prefer California for Meta, Google, Apple)
- Extensive public transportation (Texas cities are car-dependent)
- Maximum program prestige (MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon)
- Specialized gaming industry connections (prefer California or Washington)
- International tech scene exposure (prefer New York or California)
- Maximum cultural diversity in tech workforce
- Proximity to venture capital ecosystem (Silicon Valley advantage)
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Programming Programs
Related Programming Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Federal database providing comprehensive higher education statistics including graduation rates, enrollment, and institutional characteristics
Texas-specific salary and employment data for computer programming occupations, May 2024 survey
State agency providing oversight and data on Texas public higher education institutions and programs
Federal tool providing detailed information about colleges and universities including admissions, costs, and student outcomes
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.