News Summary

Stacker has revealed its 2026 rankings of private colleges in Texas, considering factors such as academics, value for money, faculty, campus environment, and diversity. The report shows that while private colleges may have higher tuition than public institutions, they offer smaller class sizes and potential for greater lifetime earnings. The rankings highlight notable schools across the state, each evaluated for their acceptance rates, enrollment numbers, and overall educational quality, presenting an essential resource for students exploring higher education options.

Texas Private Colleges Ranked for 2026

Stacker has released its 2026 rankings for the best private colleges in Texas, highlighting the distinguished institutions offering quality education throughout the state. Each school was evaluated based on Niche rankings, which take into account various factors including academics, value for money, professors, campus environment, and diversity.

Overview of Private Colleges

Private colleges are primarily funded through tuition, endowments, grants, and donations, making them generally more expensive than their public counterparts. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the average tuition for private four-year institutions stands at $43,350, while the average for public, in-state students is significantly lower at $11,610, and $30,780 for out-of-state students, according to the College Board’s 2024 Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid report.

Despite the higher cost, private colleges are known for their selective admissions process and smaller class sizes, fostering an environment conducive to direct instruction and personalized support. This allure, coupled with the potential for higher lifetime earnings—averaging 3.5% more than public university graduates, per a 2023 analysis—makes private colleges appealing for many students, especially those uncertain about their majors.

Rankings of Private Colleges in Texas

The following institutions stand out as the highest-ranked private colleges in Texas for 2026:

• San Antonio, TX: Niche Grade: B-, Acceptance Rate: 98%, Enrollment: 876, Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
• San Antonio, TX: Niche Grade: B+, Acceptance Rate: 93%, Enrollment: 4,070, Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9:1, SAT Range: 900-1140
• Lubbock, TX: Niche Grade: B+, Acceptance Rate: 76%, Enrollment: 1,137, Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11:1, SAT Range: 900-1160
• Irving, TX: Niche Grade: B+, Acceptance Rate: 54%, Enrollment: 1,376, Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9:1, SAT Range: 1170-1370
• Abilene, TX: Niche Grade: B+, Acceptance Rate: 64%, Enrollment: 3,153, Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1, SAT Range: 1060-1290
• Waco, TX: Niche Grade: A-, Acceptance Rate: 51%, Enrollment: 14,566, Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11:1, SAT Range: 1210-1400
• Dallas, TX: Niche Grade: A-, Acceptance Rate: 61%, Enrollment: 6,948, Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1, SAT Range: 1320-1480
• Fort Worth, TX: Niche Grade: A-, Acceptance Rate: 43%, Enrollment: 11,049, Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1, SAT Range: 1150-1380
• San Antonio, TX: Niche Grade: A+, Acceptance Rate: 28%, Enrollment: 2,481, Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1, SAT Range: 1320-1470
• Houston, TX: Niche Grade: A+, Acceptance Rate: 8%, Enrollment: 4,483, Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 5:1, SAT Range: 1500-1570

Conclusion

This ranking serves as a valuable resource for students seeking higher education options in Texas. With a balance of rigorous academia, small class sizes, and distinguished faculty, private colleges in Texas prove to be competitive choices for potential university students.

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Additional Resources

• Stacker: Texas Private Colleges Ranked for 2026
• Wikipedia: Private College
• College Board
• Google Search: Texas private colleges rankings
• Niche: Best Private Colleges in Texas
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Private School
• US News: Best Colleges Rankings
• Google News: Texas higher education
• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER

HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.