The Texas colleges with the highest acceptance rates are The University of Texas at El Paso, West Texas A & M University, and University of the Incarnate Word. Admission here is more open than the national picture: half of the 46 qualifying Texas colleges accept at least 88% of applicants, compared with a national median of 78%. Each row also lists graduation rate and net price, and in Texas the most accessible half of the list actually graduates students at a higher median rate (48%) than the rest (42%).
Texas colleges with the highest acceptance rates
| # | College | City | Acceptance rate | Graduation rate | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso | 100% | 51% | $6,803 |
| 2 | West Texas A & M University | Canyon | 99% | 51% | $17,909 |
| 3 | University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio | 98% | 53% | $17,483 |
| 4 | Texas Southern University | Houston | 97% | 24% | $16,494 |
| 5 | Texas Woman's University | Denton | 96% | 49% | $11,060 |
| 6 | University of Houston-Victoria | Victoria | 96% | 22% | $8,115 |
| 7 | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor | Belton | 96% | 47% | $29,143 |
| 8 | The University of Texas of the Permian Basin | Odessa | 95% | 41% | $5,070 |
| 9 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg | 94% | 55% | $4,858 |
| 10 | The University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler | 94% | 42% | $11,183 |
| 11 | Stephen F Austin State University | Nacogdoches | 94% | 55% | $15,928 |
| 12 | Midwestern State University | Wichita Falls | 94% | 42% | $11,793 |
| 13 | Texas A&M University-San Antonio | San Antonio | 93% | 34% | $14,298 |
| 14 | Texas A & M University-Commerce | Commerce | 92% | 41% | $13,974 |
| 15 | Texas A & M University-Kingsville | Kingsville | 91% | 45% | $13,212 |
At a glance
Acceptance rate for the colleges in this list
Texas trails the country on graduation and admits more applicants than most states
46 Texas colleges enroll at least 2,000 students and report both an acceptance rate and a graduation rate: 32 public colleges, 13 private nonprofit, and 1 for-profit. Completion lags, with a median six-year graduation rate of 51% against 61% nationally. The median college here admits 88% of applicants, 9 percentage points more than the national median of 78%. These colleges enroll more students from lower-income families than most: 47% of undergraduates at the median college receive Pell Grants, against 34% nationwide.
| Measure | Texas | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Median acceptance rate | 88% | 78% |
| Colleges admitting 90% or more | 37% | 21% |
| Public share of colleges | 70% | 58% |
| In-state tuition at publics (median) | $9,748 | $10,574 |
| Out-of-state tuition at publics (median) | $21,836 | $22,276 |
| Nonresident tuition premium (median) | $12,150 | $12,411 |
| Average net price after grants (median) | $15,315 | $18,210 |
| Cost of attendance before aid (median) | $26,731 | $31,674 |
| Six-year graduation rate (median) | 51% | 61% |
| Earnings ten years after entry (median) | $59,587 | $63,391 |
| Undergraduates with Pell Grants (median) | 47% | 34% |
Among the 15 colleges in the table, six-year graduation rates run from 22% at University of Houston-Victoria to 55% at Stephen F Austin State University, a wide spread of 33 percentage points. Their median of 45% trails the 51% for all Texas colleges in scope, so the easiest admits here are not the strongest finishers.
On admission, publics are the more open sector, with a median of 90% against 74% at private colleges. The largest public options that admit at least 75% of applicants are Texas State University (about 36,177 students, 89% admitted), The University of Texas at Arlington (about 32,294 students, 80% admitted), and The University of Texas at San Antonio (about 30,580 students, 87% admitted).
Key takeaways
- Acceptance rates on the list are tightly grouped, from 91% to 100%, so small differences in rank say little about how hard each school is to get into. Even the last school admits more than the 78% national median.
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, a public school, is the largest campus here at about 28,666 students and ranks 9th, while the smallest school on the list enrolls about 2,513.
- The list spans 14 cities, with San Antonio each hosting more than one school.
- Public colleges are over-represented, filling 13 of the 15 spots (87%) while making up 70% of the state pool.
Where Texas's open-admission publics sit on cost
Four years of average net price, a rough total for a student who receives grants and finishes on time, comes to about $19,432 at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, $52,848 at the median school on this list, and $116,572 at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor; fewer than half of students finish within six years at the median school here (45%), so treat four years as a best case. A dependent student can borrow at most $27,000 in federal Direct Loans over four years (studentaid.gov); at The University of Texas at El Paso that leaves about $212 of the four-year net price to cover another way, a small remainder, and 2 of the 15 schools in the table come in under that ceiling over four years.
| College | Four years at avg. net price | Four years of in-state tuition | Four years of out-of-state tuition | Pell Grant recipients | Median earnings (10 yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas at El Paso | $27,212 | $39,088 | $100,440 | 67% | $54,599 |
| West Texas A & M University | $71,636 | $38,656 | $99,316 | 45% | $55,024 |
| University of the Incarnate Word | $69,932 | $154,600 | $154,600 | 52% | $60,110 |
| Texas Southern University | $65,976 | $36,692 | $85,892 | 78% | $46,064 |
| Texas Woman's University | $44,240 | $36,000 | $74,880 | 49% | $59,216 |
Texas Southern University has the largest share of Pell Grant recipients in the table (78% of undergraduates), so its average net price already reflects many lower-income students; the maximum Pell Grant for 2026-27 is $7,395 (studentaid.gov). Without grants, four years of tuition alone comes to $28,596 at University of Houston-Victoria and $154,600 at University of the Incarnate Word, before housing, food, and books; those public prices assume Texas residency, so run each school's net price calculator before assuming a family gets no grants. Nonresidents pay a median of $12,225 more a year in tuition at the public schools in the table; most schools in the table are public, so this affects nearly every option, and the widest gap is at Texas A & M University-Kingsville, where four years of out-of-state tuition costs $63,656 more than Texas residents pay. Set against earnings, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin stands out: its former students' median earnings of $61,557 ten years after entry are 3 times its four-year net price.
Graduation rates vary widely among accessible Texas universities
An open admissions policy does not guarantee a clear path to a degree. While these fifteen Texas institutions offer a straightforward route to enrollment, their graduation rates reveal a stark divide in student outcomes. The median graduation rate for this group of highly accessible colleges sits at 45%. This figure trails the statewide median graduation rate of 51% for colleges of similar size, which in turn lags the national median of 61%. An applicant looking at these options must look beyond the initial acceptance letter to evaluate whether a campus successfully supports its students through to commencement.
The top performers for degree completion
Three institutions on the list manage to combine highly accessible admissions with completion rates that lead this specific group. Stephen F Austin State University accepts 94% of applicants and achieves a 55% graduation rate. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley matches these exact figures, admitting 94% of its applicant pool and graduating 55% of its students within six years. Close behind is the University of the Incarnate Word, a private institution in San Antonio that accepts 98% of applicants and posts a 53% graduation rate.
For families building a balanced application list, these three schools demonstrate that broad access does not always result in low completion numbers. Choosing a campus where at least half of the student body finishes their degree provides a more stable academic environment. It also suggests that the campus advising offices, tutoring centers, and financial aid departments are successfully keeping students on track.
Where completion rates fall behind
At the other end of the spectrum, several accessible Texas universities struggle to graduate even a third of their incoming classes. University of Houston-Victoria admits 96% of applicants but reports a graduation rate of just 22%. Texas Southern University in Houston accepts 97% of applicants and graduates 24% of its student body. Texas A&M University-San Antonio, which admits 93% of applicants, has a graduation rate of 34%.
The gap between starting college and finishing it is particularly visible when looking at first-year retention. At University of Houston-Victoria, 65% of first-year students return for their second year, yet only 22% ultimately graduate. This represents the largest gap between retention and graduation on the list.
When a school has a high retention rate but a low graduation rate, it often means students are hitting obstacles later in their academic careers. These hurdles frequently include a lack of upper-division course availability, rising tuition costs, or strict major-specific requirements. A student considering these options should ask the admissions office about the specific reasons for these departures. Families must also look at the financial risk of taking on student debt at an institution where the majority of students leave without a credential. Comparing these outcomes helps an applicant identify which campuses offer the strongest support systems.
Texas public universities lead a highly accessible admissions landscape
Texas higher education offers an exceptionally open door to applicants. According to CollegesRef data, the median acceptance rate across 46 qualifying Texas colleges is 88%, outstripping the national median of 78% by ten percentage points. This difference means a student targeting Texas institutions will find a much higher concentration of schools that accept almost every applicant.
The gap between Texas and the rest of the country becomes even clearer when looking at schools with near-universal admission. In Texas, 37% of colleges admit 90% or more of their applicants. Nationally, only 21% of colleges meet that same threshold. This high concentration of open-door institutions gives families a reliable set of options when building a balanced application list. An applicant can secure a spot on a Texas campus without facing the unpredictable admissions hurdles common in other states.
Where the doors are widest open
Six colleges on the state list admit at least 90% of those who apply, providing clear pathways for students seeking high-probability options. The University of Texas at El Paso leads the state with a 100% acceptance rate, meaning every qualified applicant receives an offer. West Texas A & M University follows closely, admitting 99% of its applicants.
Private options also participate in this accessible landscape. University of the Incarnate Word, a private institution in San Antonio, accepts 98% of applicants. Back in the public sector, Texas Southern University in Houston admits 97%, while Texas Woman's University in Denton and University of Houston-Victoria both accept 96% of their applicant pools.
Public versus private entry standards
The ease of getting into a Texas school depends heavily on whether the institution is run by the state or privately funded. Public universities in Texas are significantly more accessible than their private counterparts. The median acceptance rate at Texas public colleges is 90%, compared to 74% at private colleges.
For an in-state student, this public accessibility is a major advantage. It means the state university system functions as a broad-access engine, allowing students to transition from high school to higher education with minimal admissions friction. When building an application list, a student can treat these high-acceptance public campuses as foundational safety schools. These institutions provide a predictable backstop, allowing families to focus their energy on comparing financial aid packages and graduation outcomes rather than worrying about whether an acceptance letter will arrive in the mail.
High Pell enrollment drives down net prices at accessible Texas publics
Texas public universities with open admissions serve a student body that is significantly more low-income than the national average. According to CollegesRef data, the median share of undergraduates receiving federal Pell Grants at qualifying Texas colleges is 47%, compared to just 34% nationwide. This high concentration of high-need students forces these institutions to structure their financial aid packages to keep out-of-pocket costs low. For an applicant, this means the sticker price of tuition is rarely what a family actually pays.
The relationship between high Pell Grant enrollment and low net prices is clear across the state's most accessible campuses. Texas Southern University has the largest share of Pell Grant recipients on the list, with 78% of its undergraduates receiving the federal grant. Its average net price sits at $16,494. At The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where 68% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, the average net price drops to $4,858. Similarly, The University of Texas at El Paso enrolls a student body where 67% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, resulting in an average net price of $6,803. Texas A & M University-Kingsville also shows a high concentration of need, with 57% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and an average net price of $13,212.
How federal aid limits shape your out-of-pocket costs
When a college enrolls a high percentage of Pell-eligible students, its financial aid office must align its costs with federal aid limits. For the 2026-27 award year, the maximum Federal Pell Grant is $7,395, as documented on studentaid.gov. For a student attending The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, a full Pell Grant more than covers the average net price of $4,858, leaving room for books or transportation. At The University of Texas at El Paso, the $7,395 maximum Pell Grant also exceeds the average net price of $6,803.
Families must look at how remaining costs fit within federal student loan limits before turning to private loans. Under studentaid.gov guidelines, a dependent undergraduate can borrow a maximum of $5,500 in Direct Loans during their first year. This limit rises to $6,500 in the second year and $7,500 for the third year and beyond. Over four years, the total a dependent student can borrow is capped at $27,000.
At Texas A & M University-Kingsville, the four-year net price total reaches $52,848. A dependent student borrowing the absolute maximum of $27,000 in federal loans will still face a funding gap of $25,848 over four years. At Texas Southern University, the four-year net price total is $65,976, leaving a gap of $38,976 after maximum student borrowing. Families must cover these gaps through parent loans, work-study, or out-of-pocket payments. For dependent students, parent borrowing through the Parent PLUS program is capped at $20,000 per year and $65,000 in total starting July 1, 2026. This cap makes it critical to calculate the exact funding gap before committing to a school where federal student loans cannot cover the entire net price.
Sticker prices and grant discounts at accessible Texas universities
The sticker price of a college education often scares families away before they look at financial aid. In Texas, the starting point is lower than the national average, and grants frequently cut that cost by more than half. CollegesRef data shows that the median cost of attendance before aid at qualifying Texas colleges is $26,731, compared to a national median of $31,674. This cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and personal expenses. Once federal, state, and institutional grants enter the picture, the median average net price after grants for these Texas schools drops to $15,315, which sits well below the national median net price of $18,210.
How private and public universities compare on grant aid
Private universities on this list start with much higher sticker prices but also offer the largest dollar discounts through grants. University of the Incarnate Word has a cost of attendance before aid of $49,626, yet its average net price after grants is $17,483. This means eligible students receive an average of $32,143 in grant aid. At University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, another private institution, the cost of attendance before aid is $49,491, and the average net price is $29,143. While the grant discount there averages $20,348, the remaining net price is still the highest among the listed schools. Families must evaluate whether they can cover that remaining balance through savings, work, or federal loans.
Public universities in Texas start with lower sticker prices, and their grant programs can reduce the actual cost to nominal amounts. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin reports a cost of attendance before aid of $21,032, which drops to an average net price of $5,070 after grants. That represents a discount of nearly 76% off the sticker price. Similarly, University of Houston-Victoria has a cost of attendance before aid of $21,353 and an average net price of $8,115. At Stephen F Austin State University, the cost of attendance before aid is $28,762, and the average net price is $15,928. The University of Texas at Tyler has a cost of attendance before aid of $25,905, which grants reduce to an average net price of $11,183.
What these net price differences mean for your college budget
An applicant comparing these options must look past the initial acceptance rates to see how the net price aligns with federal borrowing limits. A dependent undergraduate can borrow a maximum of $5,500 in federal Direct Loans during their first year according to studentaid.gov. At The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, that first-year loan limit almost covers the entire average net price of $5,070. At University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, however, the $29,143 net price leaves a gap of more than $23,600 in the first year alone. Parents would need to cover this gap using savings, private loans, or federal Parent PLUS loans, which are capped at $20,000 per year for loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026. Because graduation rates at these accessible schools hover around the 45% median, taking on heavy debt carries a significant risk of leaving college with loans but no degree. Comparing the net price of each campus helps families find an option where the student can realisticially complete their degree without over-borrowing.
Texas open-door colleges offer lower net prices than national peers
Texas families looking at highly accessible universities often pay less than students in other states. CollegesRef data shows that the median average net price after grants for qualifying Texas colleges is $15,315, which sits nearly $3,000 below the national median of $18,210. This state-level discount becomes even more pronounced when looking at the fifteen easiest schools to get into. The median net price among these listed Texas colleges is $13,212, meaning a student often pays less at an open-admission campus than at a more selective state institution.
These net prices represent the actual cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, books, housing, and food, after subtracting all federal, state, and institutional grant aid. Because these figures are averages, they reflect the generous financial aid packages often awarded to lower-income students in the state.
The wide gap between public and private net prices
While the state average is low, the price spread among individual schools on this list is vast. The lowest net prices belong to three public institutions in the University of Texas system. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley leads with an average net price of $4,858, followed closely by The University of Texas of the Permian Basin at $5,070 and The University of Texas at El Paso at $6,803. For a student qualifying for federal and state grants, these campuses represent some of the most affordable bachelor's degree pathways in the country.
At the other end of the spectrum, some highly accessible options carry much higher price tags. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, a private institution, has the highest net price on the list at $29,143. West Texas A & M University, a public school, averages $17,909, while the private University of the Incarnate Word averages $17,483. An applicant must weigh whether the campus culture or specific programs at these higher-priced schools justify spending three to six times more per year than they would at the South Texas public options.
How to use net price data for your application list
When building a college list, families should use these net price figures to establish a financial baseline. An applicant with a strong academic record or significant financial need should not assume that a 100% acceptance rate school is the only affordable path. However, for a student who needs a guaranteed admission option, schools like The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or The University of Texas at El Paso serve as excellent financial safety schools.
Before applying, families must access the net price calculator on each university's financial aid website. By entering income and academic data, an applicant can see a personalized estimate of their net cost. This step is critical because a family with an income above the state median may not receive enough grant aid to bring their cost down to the school's average net price. Comparing these estimates against federal student loan limits helps families identify which schools will require additional parent loans or out-of-pocket payments.
Public universities dominate the open-admission landscape in Texas
Public institutions make up 70% of the colleges in Texas that enroll at least 2,000 students and report both acceptance and graduation rates. This is a much higher concentration than the 58% national average. On the list of the fifteen easiest colleges to get into, state-supported schools fill thirteen of the spots. These public campuses vary enormously in student body size, but they all offer high acceptance rates alongside widely differing graduation outcomes.
Large-scale options with high acceptance rates
For students seeking a major university experience, the state offers massive campuses that turn away very few applicants. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is the largest public school on the list, enrolling about 28,666 students. It accepts 94% of those who apply and achieves a 55% six-year graduation rate.
The next largest is The University of Texas at El Paso, which enrolls about 21,005 students. It stands out with a 100% acceptance rate, meaning every applicant who meets basic requirements is admitted, and it graduates 51% of its students within six years.
Choosing one of these massive public campuses means access to extensive student services, diverse majors, and large alumni networks. However, the sheer size requires students to be self-directed to avoid getting lost in the crowd.
Mid-sized public campuses and completion rates
Families looking for a slightly smaller public environment have several options in the range of 7,000 to 10,000 students. Texas A & M University-Commerce enrolls about 9,912 students and admits 92% of applicants, but its six-year graduation rate sits at 41%.
Texas Woman's University, located in Denton, enrolls about 8,767 students. It accepts 96% of applicants and graduates 49% of them.
Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches enrolls about 8,728 students. It admits 94% of applicants and matches the highest graduation rate on the list at 55%.
The University of Texas at Tyler, with about 7,185 students, also accepts 94% of applicants but has a lower graduation rate of 42%.
What these numbers mean for your college list
When building a college list in Texas, an applicant can easily find a public safety school. With thirteen public options admitting over 90% of applicants, getting in is rarely the obstacle. The real decision lies in comparing the support systems that lead to graduation.
A student comparing Stephen F Austin State University and Texas A & M University-Commerce will find similar admission hurdles, but Stephen F Austin State University graduates its students at a rate 14 percentage points higher. Because public universities dominate this list, Texas residents can use these high-acceptance options to secure an affordable, in-state backup plan while focusing their search on campuses that offer the strongest academic advising and retention programs to help them finish their degrees.
Building a Balanced Texas List with Open-Admission Schools
An applicant building a college list usually divides choices into reach, match, and safety schools. For students looking at the fifteen easiest colleges to get into in Texas, this traditional division disappears. Every single school on this list functions as a safety option because of their high acceptance rates.
Why Texas safety schools require a closer look
In a typical college search, a reach school has an acceptance rate under 50%, while a possible admit sits between 50% and 75%. Among these fifteen Texas institutions, there are zero reach schools and zero possible admits. Every school on this list is a likely admit because each one accepts at least 91% of applicants. This is far more open than the national landscape. CollegesRef data shows the national median acceptance rate is 78%, while the median in Texas is 88%.
Six schools on this list admit virtually every applicant who completes an application. The University of Texas at El Paso accepts 100% of applicants. West Texas A & M University follows closely at 99%, and the University of the Incarnate Word admits 98%. Texas Southern University accepts 97%, while Texas Woman's University and the University of Houston-Victoria both admit 96%.
Because admission is nearly guaranteed at these campuses, families must shift their focus from getting in to getting out with a degree. A high acceptance rate does not guarantee a supportive path to graduation.
Sorting the list by completion and cost
Since admission is not a barrier at these schools, families should filter their list using graduation rates and net prices. Several schools on this list offer a rare combination of low cost and above-average completion rates.
Three institutions stand out by landing below the list's median net price while exceeding the median graduation rate. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley charges an average net price of $4,858 and graduates 55% of its students. The University of Texas at El Paso has an average net price of $6,803 and a 51% graduation rate. Texas Woman's University costs $11,060 on average and graduates 49% of its students. These three schools represent high-value safety options.
Conversely, some highly accessible schools struggle to graduate the majority of their students. Families should look closely at the academic support systems at schools graduating fewer than 40% of students within six years. Texas Southern University graduates just 24% of its students. University of Houston-Victoria has a 22% graduation rate, and Texas A&M University-San Antonio graduates 34%.
Thirteen of the fifteen colleges on this list are public institutions. For Texas residents, these schools offer in-state tuition rates that keep costs manageable. When building an application list, a student should select at least one high-graduating public option like Stephen F Austin State University, which graduates 55% of students, alongside a low-cost option like The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. This strategy ensures the final list contains schools that are both highly accessible and financially viable.
How this list was built
The 15 colleges here have the highest acceptance rates out of 46 published Texas institutions that enroll at least 2,000 students and report both an acceptance rate and a graduation rate. Another 49 Texas colleges of that size are left out because at least one figure is missing. Figures are unadjusted IPEDS and College Scorecard values (definitions, inclusion rules). National figures apply the same rules to 760 colleges. Four-year totals are one year's figure times four, and aid limits are 2026-27 studentaid.gov amounts.
