Best Computer Science Schools in Texas

Texas is home to a number of colleges and universities with strong computer science programs at multiple degree levels. Whether you are interested in bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, or doctorates, Texas is home to some of the best schools for computer sciences in the south.

Ahead, we will explore some of the best computer science schools in Texas, including public and private options, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about studying the computer sciences in Texas.

At Bold.org, we recognize the importance of finding a school that fits your unique needs, interests, and professional aspirations. Our team, with extensive experience in higher education, is here to guide you through computer science programs and scholarship opportunities to support your educational journey. Let's dive in!

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The University of Texas at Austin

Location: Austin, Texas

Total enrollment: 51,913

Acceptance rate: 33%

The University of Texas at Austin is consistently ranked as one of the top public universities in the state of Texas and in the country. The Department of Computer Science is one of the school's most prestigious programs.

The CS Department offers five undergraduate degrees, including a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science, and a Bachelor of Science and Arts in Computer Science that includes a built-in minor or certificate. This school is recognized as a best value public university according to World Report.

Computer science students at UT Austin have the option to select a concentration that will help structure their selection of elective courses. Students can choose to concentrate on data analysis and computations, game development, or machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Computer science majors interested in the intersection of computer science with ethics, social sciences, and social justice can also pursue a Social Impact Stamp, which empowers graduates to guide the development of technology for social good.

The University of Texas at Austin offers a range of master's degrees and doctorate degrees in various subfields of computer science, including an accelerated 5-year BS/MS programs and online master's degree programs.

Graduate students interested in research will thrive at The University of Texas at Austin. The graduate faculty consists of over 40 award-winning leaders in the CS research community, who run research groups through which computer science graduates participate in world-changing research efforts.

Undergraduates at UT Austin also have ample opportunities to participate in groundbreaking computer science research taking place at the major research university, since it is one of the best computer science colleges in the nation for research.

The Machine Learning Laboratory at UT Austin is a national hub of machine learning research, housing over 100 distinguished researchers. With numerous labs in areas such as artificial intelligence, natural language processing, graphics, and more, UT students can enhance their programming skills by collaborating at both the undergraduate and graduate levels as well as with acclaimed professors in various labs.

Rice University

Location: Houston, Texas

Total enrollment: 8,285

Acceptance rate: 8.7%

Rice University is a top private computer science school in the Lone Star State, home to a renowned Department of Computer Science. CS students at Rice University have the opportunity to learn from distinguished faculty who are advancing the frontiers of computing through research, education, and service.

At the relatively small university, the student-to-faculty ratio is 6:1, providing a personalized learning experience for computer science graduates and undergraduates alike.

Computer science courses at Rice University aim to hone students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios while teaching fluency in a variety of programming languages. The collaborative environment at Rice University enables students to learn from their peers and build meaningful connections and relationships within the technology sector.

Research is a hallmark of Rice's computer science program, which makes this school one of the best colleges in Texas for computer science research. Budding computer scientists at Rice University can participate in a variety of distinguished research labs studying topics from computational biology and informatics to robotics and artificial intelligence.

Faculty members and graduates in these labs work with cross-disciplinary team members to harness the power of technology to address real-world issues in areas such as healthcare, business, and technology.

Texas A&M University

Location: College Station, Texas and Galveston, Texas

Total enrollment: 77,491

Acceptance rate: 62%

Texas A&M University is another top computer science school in Texas, and computer science is a very popular major at this school. The Department of Computer Science & Engineering offers a variety of academic programs for students interested in studying computer science in Texas.

Prospective CS students can study computer science and earn a Bachelor of Science at one of two campuses: the College Station campus and the Galveston campus.

Both campuses offer the same quality of education and degree programs, though the College Station campus is larger. Students at the Galveston campus benefit from small classroom sizes while maintaining access to College Station campus resources.

The student-to-faculty ratio at the university is 19:1 overall, while it is 16:1 at the Galveston campus. This makes it one of the best schools for students interested in smaller class sizes, with the student life perks of a large public research university.

Texas A&M University also offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, a joint program between the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Students in the joint program learn about various topics from both departments, including hardware, software, analysis, design, and implementation techniques, as part of an interdisciplinary curriculum.

If you plan to pursue graduate studies in computer science after earning your undergraduate degree, the Fast Track program at Texas A&M University can speed up the process. Students interested in pursuing a graduate computer science degree can begin taking graduate courses at the end of their junior year and complete both the Bachelor of Science degree and Master's degree in just five years.

Southern Methodist University

Location: University Park, Texas

Total enrollment: 11,842

Acceptance rate: 52%

The Lyle School of Engineering at Southern Methodist University is another top computer science school in Texas. If you want to learn from some of the best engineers in the country at a private research institution, SMU just might be the school for you!

The Lyle School of Engineering prides itself on encouraging students to be bold and solve pressing issues on a global scale. The Department of Computer Science trains computer scientists who are prepared to work at the cutting edge of technology innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, mobile computing, and natural language processing.

Undergraduate research is a critical component of the computer science experience at SMU. The department has identified three research focus areas in applied machine learning, software engineering, and AI application domains.

Students at Lyle have the opportunity to join a variety of faculty-led labs in and beyond these three areas to advance their knowledge while making cutting-edge contributions to their field at large. The emphasis on undergraduate research sets Southern Methodist University apart from other computer science schools in Texas.

Texas State University

Location: San Marcos, Texas

Total enrollment: 38,873

Acceptance rate: 87%

Nestled in the charming town of San Marcos, TX, Texas State University is one of the best computer science schools in Texas for students interested in studying at a public university. The vast majority of Texas State University students are native Texans, so this is one of the best schools for any student from Texas looking to complete their computer science degree from within their home state.

The Department of Computer Science at Texas State University prepares undergraduates and graduates alike for careers in software development, data science, cybersecurity, AI, computer systems, and more.

The computer science program at Texas State University follows a rigorous curriculum that covers the fundamentals of computer science as well as advanced topics and electives. Students also have the opportunity to participate in research projects, internships, and extracurricular activities that enhance their learning and professional skills.

Graduates of the computer science program at Texas State University are well-equipped to pursue graduate studies or enter the workforce as competent and ethical computer scientists.

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Baylor University

Location: Waco, Texas

Total enrollment: 20,626

Acceptance rate: 46%

Located in Waco, TX, Baylor University is one of the best computer science schools in Texas. The School of Engineering and Computer Science provides undergraduate computer science students with a world-class education.

The college offers five bachelor's degrees in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, informatics and data science, mechanical engineering, and engineering. A motivated student with varied interests can enroll in a joint degree program, combining computer science with computer engineering, biomedical engineering, and more!

The opportunity to pursue a joint computer science degree sets this college apart from other universities as one of the best schools in Texas for aspiring computer scientists with diverse interests.

Computer science students at Baylor have the opportunity to participate in various areas of research alongside award-winning computer science faculty. Whether you want to solve problems in biology with computer science through bioinformatics research or develop better algorithms for artificial intelligence, Baylor has a place for you to explore your academic interests and scholarly pursuits.

University of Houston—Clear Lake

Location: Houston, Texas

Total enrollment: 7,773

Acceptance rate: 69%

The University of Houston—Clear Lake offers one of the best computer science programs in the state of Texas. The University of Houston—Clear Lake is smaller than most public colleges in Texas, so it is a great option for any student interested in attending a smaller college while still taking advantage of the in-state tuition discount offered by a public college.

Houston College offers three computer science programs for undergraduates, including a B.S. in computer science, a B.S. or B.A.S. in information technology, and a B.S. in computer information systems, as well as a minor in cybersecurity.

The Department of Computing Sciences at UH Clear Lake also offers an M.S. in computer information systems, an M.S. in data science, and an M.S. in computer science, as well as an accelerated B.S.-M.S. computer science honors scholar program.

University of North Texas

Location: Denton, Texas

Total enrollment: 44,532

Acceptance rate: 79%

The University of North Texas is home to one of the top computer science programs in the state of Texas. The University of North Texas offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, in addition to a range of minors and certificate programs, which sets it apart from other colleges.

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering, housed within the College of Engineering, offers five bachelor's degrees to choose from in topics like computer engineering, computer sciences, and cybersecurity, as well as two minors and five certificate programs.

Undergraduate students can also enroll in the GradTrack accelerated master's program to begin taking graduate courses while still completing their bachelor's degree.

The College of Engineering also offers a number of master's degree options, including M.S. programs in artificial intelligence, computer engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, and data engineering. and a Ph.D. in computer science and engineering.

Unlike other schools, this college offers a PhD level degree in computer science and engineering, making it a great choice for any student interested in achieving a doctoral degree.

Texas A&M University–Central Texas

Location: Killeen, Texas

Total enrollment: 2,400

Acceptance rate: 96%

Texas A&M University—Central Texas is one of the best computer science schools in the state for students interested in a small college experience. It has the perks of in-state tuition discounts as well as the resources of the A&M school system. This college has a much smaller student population than the other schools and colleges within the A&M system, offering a more tight-knit student community.

Texas A&M University—Central Texas offers a B.S. degree in computer science with coursework in coding, software engineering, graphics, network, security, database design, artificial intelligence, and other related subjects. Small class sizes and flexible course formats set this college apart from other schools.

Also, unlike other schools, computer sciences are housed within the College of Business Administration, so this school is a great option for business-focused aspiring computer scientists. This school also offers B.S. and B.A. degrees in computer information systems.

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Location: San Antonio, Texas

Total enrollment: 34,864

Acceptance rate: 87%

The University of Texas at San Antonio is home to a top computer science school. As a public university, the University of Texas at San Antonio is one of the best colleges for computer scientists looking to save on their education.

The University of Texas at San Antonio offers B.S. and M.S. degrees in computer science, an M.S. degree in cybersecurity science, and a Ph.D. degree in computer science. Since this university offers fewer degree choices in this field than most schools, undergraduates have the option to specialize their B.S. in a range of concentrations to further specialize their studies.

Undergraduates can choose from concentrations in Cloud and Systems, Cybersecurity, Data Science, or Software Engineering, in addition to a specialized Cyber Operations Track.

The National Security Agency (NSA) has recognized the University of Texas at San Antonio as one of a handful of schools in the country with the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) designation.

UTSA offers the option to complete the requirements set out by the CAE-CO through the specialized Cyber Operations Track. This track opens up a variety of opportunities exclusive to those with this specialization, so the University of Texas at San Antonio is one of the best colleges for those interested in working as computer scientists at the federal level.

Frequently Asked Questions About Computer Science Schools in Texas

How much is college tuition in Texas?

Some of the best colleges in Texas are public universities. Texas University's in-state tuition averages $10,323, while the average out-of-state tuition is $24,710. With room and board and other fees, in-state costs average $27,820, and out-of-state costs average $42,208.

These costs are about average compared to tuition at public schools in other states in the country. Private schools in Texas report an average tuition of $37,450, which is higher than the national average tuition at private schools.

How can I pay for my computer science degree?

Paying for college, university, or any higher education program may seem like a daunting task, but with ample research and preparation, financing your education becomes manageable. You can hone your scholarship research to those most relevant to your goals and background by searching for scholarships by major or searching by state, age, and demographic information.

How do I get into a top computer science school?

Studying computer sciences and related fields opens up a world of lucrative career opportunities, so it has become a popular major among undergraduates around the world. Getting into a top-ranking school in computer science is achievable with hard work and dedication and takes similar steps as getting into top schools in any field of study.

Throughout your high school career, it is necessary to earn strong grades in challenging classes and to demonstrate sustained involvement in extracurricular and volunteer activities in order to get into these more competitive schools. Involvement in extracurriculars related to your intended field of study, like joining a robotics team, can also bolster your application.

Writing a powerful college essay can make all the difference in standing out in the application process, so be sure to spend ample time writing and revising your essay before submitting your application. Ask teachers, mentors, or friends and family to read your essay and assist in the revision process.

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