Top 3 AI & Machine Learning Programs in Texas 2025
University of Texas at Austin
Top AI research university with renowned Machine Learning Lab and direct Austin tech industry connections. Strong in NLP and computer vision.
Rice University
Elite private institution with 6:1 student-faculty ratio and cutting-edge AI research in medical applications and robotics.
Texas A&M University
Strong engineering focus with AI applications in agriculture and cybersecurity. Excellent value with robust industry partnerships.
- 1.Texas has 25+ artificial intelligence and machine learning bachelor's programs across public and private universities (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.University of Texas at Austin ranks #1 in Texas with world-class AI research labs and 87% graduation rate
- 3.Texas AI engineers earn median $142,850 annually—significantly above the national average (BLS Texas OEWS 2024)
- 4.Austin tech hub hosts major AI employers including Dell, IBM, Oracle, and Tesla's AI division, creating strong job demand
- 5.In-state tuition at UT Austin ($11,752) and Texas A&M ($12,747) offers exceptional value compared to out-of-state alternatives
Artificial Intelligence Education in Texas
Texas has emerged as a major hub for artificial intelligence education and research, driven by Austin's booming tech sector and Houston's energy and healthcare industries. The state offers diverse AI programs from research-intensive universities like UT Austin to practical engineering-focused programs at Texas A&M.
For a broader perspective on AI programs nationwide, see our national AI bachelor's rankings. Students considering cost should review our most affordable AI programs guide. Those interested in career outcomes should explore our AI/ML engineer salary guide for Texas-specific compensation data.
Texas's no state income tax policy makes it particularly attractive for high-earning AI professionals. The state's growing tech ecosystem in Austin, combined with energy sector AI applications in Houston and defense technology in Dallas, creates diverse career opportunities for AI graduates.
Based on 18 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS Texas May 2024, NSF HERD Survey
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 data
AI publications, citations, and faculty expertise
Texas-specific salaries and job placement rates
Lab facilities, industry partnerships, and funding
Texas AI & Machine Learning Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Texas at Austin | Austin | Public | $11,752 | 87% | 17:1 | 95.8 |
| 2 | Rice University | Houston | Private | $54,960 | 94% | 6:1 | 94.2 |
| 3 | Texas A&M University | College Station | Public | $12,747 | 82% | 20:1 | 91.5 |
| 4 | University of Houston | Houston | Public | $11,966 | 65% | 23:1 | 88.2 |
| 5 | Southern Methodist University | Dallas | Private | $58,560 | 82% | 11:1 | 87.6 |
| 6 | University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson | Public | $14,564 | 73% | 24:1 | 86.3 |
| 7 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock | Public | $11,520 | 63% | 21:1 | 84.7 |
| 8 | University of North Texas | Denton | Public | $11,980 | 55% | 26:1 | 82.9 |
| 9 | Texas State University | San Marcos | Public | $11,520 | 57% | 25:1 | 81.4 |
| 10 | University of Texas at San Antonio | San Antonio | Public | $10,664 | 49% | 27:1 | 79.8 |
| 11 | Baylor University | Waco | Private | $51,738 | 79% | 14:1 | 79.2 |
| 12 | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth | Private | $53,980 | 78% | 13:1 | 78.5 |
| 13 | University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington | Public | $11,040 | 52% | 25:1 | 77.1 |
| 14 | University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso | Public | $9,096 | 43% | 22:1 | 75.6 |
| 15 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | Public | $10,770 | 58% | 21:1 | 74.8 |
| 16 | Texas A&M International University | Laredo | Public | $9,162 | 41% | 18:1 | 72.3 |
| 17 | Prairie View A&M University | Prairie View | Public | $10,664 | 42% | 16:1 | 71.5 |
| 18 | Texas Southern University | Houston | Public | $10,311 | 25% | 18:1 | 68.9 |
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • University
Program Highlights
- • 87% graduation rate - highest among Texas public universities
- • Average starting salary: $118,000 for AI/ML roles
- • 15+ AI research labs across multiple departments
- • Austin location provides internship opportunities at 500+ tech companies
Program Strengths
- Machine Learning Laboratory with $15M+ in research funding
- Faculty includes ACM Fellows and AI industry pioneers
- Direct recruitment by Austin tech companies (Dell, IBM, Oracle)
- Strong emphasis on natural language processing and computer vision
- Excellent graduate school placement rates (85% acceptance to top MS/PhD programs)
Why Ranked #1
UT Austin leads Texas in AI education with its world-renowned Machine Learning Laboratory and direct connections to Austin's thriving tech ecosystem. The program combines rigorous theoretical foundations with practical applications, preparing students for both industry roles and advanced research.
Student Reviews
"The Machine Learning Lab at UT Austin gave me hands-on experience with cutting-edge research. I landed a machine learning engineer role at a Fortune 500 company before graduation."
— Recent CS Graduate
"Being in Austin means constant networking opportunities with AI companies. The professors have real industry connections and help with job placement."
— Current Senior
Rice University
Houston, TX • University
Program Highlights
- • Small cohorts (25-30 students) ensure individual attention
- • Average starting salary: $125,000+ for AI roles
- • 80% of students participate in undergraduate research
- • Houston location offers unique AI applications in healthcare and energy
Program Strengths
- 6:1 student-faculty ratio enables personalized mentorship
- Ken Kennedy Institute for Information Technology provides research opportunities
- Strong focus on AI applications in medicine and energy
- Partnerships with Texas Medical Center and energy companies
- 94% graduation rate - among the highest in the nation
Why Ranked #2
Rice University offers an intimate, research-intensive AI education with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio. The program excels in AI applications for healthcare and energy sectors, taking advantage of Houston's medical center and energy industry presence.
Student Reviews
"Rice's small class sizes mean I work directly with professors on cutting-edge AI research. The personalized attention is incredible."
— Junior Student
"The AI applications in medical research at Rice opened doors I never knew existed. I'm now working on AI diagnostic tools."
— 2024 Graduate
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX • University
Program Highlights
- • 82% graduation rate with strong job placement
- • Average starting salary: $108,000 for AI/ML roles
- • 20+ industry partnerships for internships and research
- • Aggie Network provides career connections across Texas
Program Strengths
- Strong engineering approach to AI problem-solving
- RELLIS Campus provides testbed for autonomous systems research
- AI applications in agriculture and precision farming
- Cybersecurity AI research through Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center
- Excellent value with in-state tuition under $13,000
Why Ranked #3
Texas A&M combines strong engineering fundamentals with practical AI applications in agriculture, cybersecurity, and defense. The program emphasizes real-world problem-solving and maintains excellent industry connections throughout Texas.
Student Reviews
"Texas A&M's focus on practical AI applications prepared me for real industry challenges. The agricultural AI research was fascinating."
— 2023 Graduate
"The Aggie Network opened so many doors. I had three job offers before graduation, all in Texas."
— Current Senior
Texas University Systems for AI Education
Texas offers AI education through several major university systems, each with distinct strengths and characteristics. Understanding these systems helps students choose the right fit for their educational goals and career aspirations.
The University of Texas System includes UT Austin (the flagship with top-tier AI research), UT Dallas (strong in computer science and AI), and UT San Antonio (growing AI programs with Hispanic-serving institution benefits). The Texas A&M System features Texas A&M College Station (engineering-focused AI) and Prairie View A&M (historically black university with emerging AI programs).
Private institutions like Rice University and Southern Methodist University offer smaller class sizes and generous financial aid packages. Rice particularly excels in AI research with medical and energy applications, while SMU provides strong industry connections in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
For students interested in computer science broadly, Texas offers 70+ programs statewide. Those considering data science specialization will find complementary programs that overlap significantly with AI curricula.
Career Paths
Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-1251Design and implement ML models for applications in tech, energy, and healthcare sectors
AI Research Scientist
SOC 19-1032Conduct advanced research in artificial intelligence at universities, tech companies, or research institutes
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Apply AI and statistical methods to extract insights from large datasets
Software Engineer (AI/ML)
SOC 15-1252Develop software applications incorporating artificial intelligence capabilities
Computer Vision Engineer
SOC 15-1251Develop systems that can interpret and analyze visual information using AI
Robotics Engineer
SOC 17-2199Design and develop robotic systems incorporating AI for autonomous decision-making
AI Programs in Other States
California
New York
Massachusetts
Washington
Illinois
Florida
Texas AI Program Cost Comparison
| Factor | UT Austin | Rice University | Texas A&M | UT Dallas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-State Tuition | $11,752 | $54,960 | $12,747 | $14,564 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $40,032 | $54,960 | $39,657 | $39,776 |
| Average Room & Board | $12,456 | $15,910 | $11,450 | $11,200 |
| Total Cost (In-State) | $24,208 | $70,870 | $24,197 | $25,764 |
| Average Financial Aid | $12,800 | $42,500 | $10,200 | $8,900 |
| Net Price (In-State) | $11,408 | $28,370 | $13,997 | $16,864 |
Which Should You Choose?
- Exceptional value with in-state tuition under $15,000 at top programs
- Access to Austin's booming tech sector with 500+ AI/ML companies
- No state income tax to maximize your post-graduation salary
- Diverse AI applications in energy, healthcare, agriculture, and defense
- Strong job market with 12,500+ annual AI openings statewide
- Warm climate and lower cost of living compared to California/New York
- More AI program options (California has 35+ vs Texas 25+)
- Higher research funding at universities like MIT or Stanford
- Specialized AI programs in entertainment/gaming (California)
- International business AI applications (New York financial sector)
- More venture capital funding for AI startups (Silicon Valley)
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas AI Programs
Related AI & Tech Education Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Official federal database providing comprehensive data on colleges and universities, including graduation rates, enrollment, and institutional characteristics
Texas-specific salary and employment data for computer and mathematical occupations, updated annually
State agency data on Texas higher education enrollment, graduation rates, and program approval
Federal data on university research expenditures and activity in computer science and engineering fields
Taylor Rupe
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