Top 3 Information Technology Programs in Texas 2025
University of Texas at Austin
Premier IT program in the heart of Austin's tech scene with direct Dell, IBM, and Oracle recruiting pipelines
Rice University
Elite private university with 6:1 student-faculty ratio and strong connections to Houston's energy tech sector
Texas A&M University
Large research university with comprehensive IT curriculum and extensive alumni network in Texas tech companies
- 1.Texas has 45+ accredited information technology bachelor's programs across public and private universities (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.University of Texas at Austin ranks #1 in Texas with 87% graduation rate and direct Austin tech hub recruiting
- 3.Texas IT professionals earn median $98,430 annually—8% above the national median (BLS Texas OEWS 2024)
- 4.Austin, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth provide 185,000+ IT jobs with no state income tax benefits
- 5.Major employers include Dell, Texas Instruments, AT&T, IBM, Oracle, and Samsung Austin Semiconductor
Information Technology Education in Texas
Texas offers exceptional information technology education opportunities with world-class universities, major tech company headquarters, and no state income tax. The state's IT landscape spans from Austin's Silicon Hills to Houston's energy tech sector and Dallas-Fort Worth's telecommunications hub.
Austin leads Texas tech with Dell's global headquarters, IBM's largest site, and Oracle's major campus. The city hosts South by Southwest (SXSW) and attracts startups and Fortune 500 companies alike. Houston focuses on energy technology and oil/gas IT systems, while Dallas-Fort Worth serves as a major telecommunications and corporate IT center.
For comparison with programs nationwide, see our national IT bachelor's rankings. Students considering costs should review our most affordable IT programs guide. Career-focused students can explore our IT career paths and cybersecurity analyst salary guide for Texas-specific compensation data.
Based on 25 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS Texas May 2024, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Class size and personalized attention
Texas-specific IT salaries from BLS OEWS
Employer partnerships and internship placement rates
Texas Information Technology Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Texas at Austin | Austin | Public | $11,698 | 87% | 18:1 | 94.8 |
| 2 | Rice University | Houston | Private | $54,960 | 94% | 6:1 | 93.2 |
| 3 | Texas A&M University | College Station | Public | $12,413 | 82% | 20:1 | 91.5 |
| 4 | University of Houston | Houston | Public | $11,966 | 62% | 22:1 | 87.3 |
| 5 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock | Public | $11,832 | 65% | 20:1 | 85.9 |
| 6 | UT Dallas | Richardson | Public | $14,564 | 75% | 25:1 | 85.1 |
| 7 | Baylor University | Waco | Private | $51,738 | 79% | 13:1 | 84.7 |
| 8 | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth | Private | $53,250 | 82% | 13:1 | 84.2 |
| 9 | UT Arlington | Arlington | Public | $11,040 | 52% | 26:1 | 82.8 |
| 10 | Texas State University | San Marcos | Public | $11,520 | 58% | 23:1 | 81.4 |
| 11 | UT San Antonio | San Antonio | Public | $10,584 | 46% | 25:1 | 79.9 |
| 12 | University of North Texas | Denton | Public | $11,652 | 57% | 24:1 | 79.2 |
| 13 | Sam Houston State | Huntsville | Public | $10,356 | 61% | 21:1 | 78.5 |
| 14 | Texas Southern University | Houston | Public | $10,382 | 31% | 17:1 | 76.8 |
| 15 | Lamar University | Beaumont | Public | $10,974 | 35% | 19:1 | 75.3 |
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas • University
Program Highlights
- • Dell Technologies global headquarters partnership
- • IBM's largest U.S. development facility collaboration
- • Oracle's 10,000-person Austin campus recruiting
- • Access to Austin's 200+ tech meetups and conferences
Program Strengths
- Located in Austin's Silicon Hills tech corridor with 4,000+ tech companies
- Direct recruiting pipelines to Dell Technologies, IBM, Oracle, and Amazon
- 87% graduation rate with average starting salaries of $75,000+
- Strong focus on enterprise systems, cloud computing, and cybersecurity
- Extensive internship opportunities with Fortune 500 companies
Why Ranked #1
UT Austin earns the top spot for its exceptional combination of academic excellence, industry connections, and location in the heart of Austin's tech ecosystem. The university's IT program benefits from direct partnerships with Dell, IBM, Oracle, and hundreds of startups.
Rice University
Houston, Texas • University
Program Highlights
- • Partnerships with ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Shell for energy IT
- • Average starting salaries of $85,000+ for graduates
- • Small cohorts create tight-knit professional networks
- • Access to Houston's diverse tech ecosystem
Program Strengths
- Elite private university with 94% graduation rate
- 6:1 student-faculty ratio providing exceptional personalized attention
- Strong connections to Houston's energy tech and oil/gas IT sectors
- Emphasis on data analytics and enterprise resource planning
- High-paying internships and full-time placement rates above 95%
Why Ranked #2
Rice University's IT program stands out for its elite academic reputation, small class sizes, and strong connections to Houston's energy technology sector. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention and mentorship.
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas • University
Program Highlights
- • Texas Instruments, AT&T, and IBM recruiting partnerships
- • Strong Aggie alumni network in tech leadership positions
- • Emphasis on practical skills and hands-on learning
- • Access to major research initiatives and funding
Program Strengths
- Large research university with comprehensive IT curriculum
- Strong emphasis on industry certifications (Cisco, Microsoft, AWS)
- Extensive alumni network throughout Texas tech companies
- 82% graduation rate with focus on workforce readiness
- Partnerships with major Texas employers for internships
Why Ranked #3
Texas A&M's IT program leverages the university's strong engineering reputation and extensive alumni network. The program emphasizes practical skills and industry certifications, preparing graduates for immediate workforce entry.
Texas University Systems for IT Education
Texas offers IT education through several major university systems, each with distinct advantages and regional focuses.
University of Texas System leads with flagship UT Austin offering the state's premier IT program. UT Dallas provides strong technical education in the Dallas-Fort Worth tech corridor, while UT Arlington and UT San Antonio serve large metropolitan areas with diverse student populations.
Texas A&M System emphasizes practical skills and industry partnerships. The College Station flagship offers comprehensive research opportunities, while Texas A&M Commerce and other campuses provide regional access to quality IT education.
Texas State University System includes programs at Sam Houston State, Lamar University, and Texas Southern University. These universities focus on workforce development and often serve as pathways for first-generation college students entering the tech field.
Private institutions like Rice University, Baylor, and TCU offer smaller class sizes and personalized attention, though at significantly higher tuition costs. Many students find the investment worthwhile for the networking opportunities and academic prestige.
Career Paths
Network Administrator
SOC 15-1244Design and maintain computer networks for Texas corporations, especially in energy, telecommunications, and finance sectors.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1241Manage enterprise databases for major Texas employers including Dell, AT&T, and energy companies.
Information Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Protect IT infrastructure for Texas banks, government agencies, and tech companies against cyber threats.
Systems Administrator
SOC 15-1245Maintain server infrastructure and cloud systems for Texas enterprises and government organizations.
IT Manager
SOC 11-3021Lead technology teams and strategy for Texas corporations, particularly in Austin, Houston, and Dallas metro areas.
Cloud Architect
SOC 15-1241Design cloud infrastructure for Texas companies migrating to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms.
IT Programs in Other States
California
New York
Florida
Washington
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
Georgia
| Factor | In-State Public | Out-of-State Public | Private Universities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition | $11,500 | $28,500 | $52,000 |
| Class Sizes | Large (20-30) | Large (20-30) | Small (8-15) |
| Industry Connections | Strong Regional | Strong Regional | Elite National |
| Research Opportunities | Extensive | Extensive | Limited |
| Career Services | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Alumni Network | Texas-focused | Texas-focused | National |
| Financial Aid | Moderate | Limited | Generous |
Which Should You Choose?
- No state income tax benefits (save 3-13% annually)
- Direct access to major tech employers like Dell, IBM, and Oracle
- Lower cost of living compared to California and New York
- Strong job market with 185,000+ IT positions statewide
- Diverse tech ecosystems in Austin, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth
- Excellent in-state tuition rates at world-class universities
- Higher tech salaries in California or Washington
- More established tech scenes in Silicon Valley or Seattle
- Cooler climates and different cultural environments
- Stronger public transportation infrastructure
- More venture capital and startup funding opportunities
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2022-2032
Texas IT Programs FAQ
Related IT Education Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduation rates, enrollment, and institutional data from 2023
Texas-specific IT salary data from May 2024
State university system information and transfer pathways
Federal education statistics and program accreditation data
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.