Top 3 Software Engineering Programs in Texas 2025
University of Texas at Austin
Flagship program in the heart of Silicon Hills with direct access to Dell, IBM, Oracle, and hundreds of Austin startups
Rice University
Elite private program with 6:1 student-faculty ratio and exceptional research opportunities in software systems
Texas A&M University
Strong engineering tradition with growing software focus and extensive industry partnerships throughout Texas
- 1.Texas has 70+ accredited software engineering bachelor's programs across UT System, Texas State, and private universities (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.UT Austin ranks #1 in Texas with 86% graduation rate and direct access to Austin's thriving tech ecosystem
- 3.Texas software developers earn median $116,350 annually with no state income tax—maximizing take-home pay
- 4.Austin ranks as America's #2 tech hub after Silicon Valley with Dell, IBM, Oracle, and Tesla headquarters
- 5.Major Texas tech employers include Dell Technologies, Oracle, IBM, Tesla, AT&T, and 5,000+ startups statewide
Software Engineering Education in Texas: Silicon Hills and Beyond
Texas has emerged as one of America's premier destinations for software engineering education, offering world-class programs at public university prices. The state combines academic excellence with unparalleled industry access, particularly in Austin's Silicon Hills, Houston's energy tech sector, and Dallas-Fort Worth's enterprise technology corridor.
What sets Texas apart is the combination of no state income tax, lower living costs, and direct access to major tech employers. Companies like Dell Technologies, Oracle, IBM, Tesla, and AT&T maintain significant operations throughout the state, creating abundant internship and career opportunities for software engineering graduates.
For comparison with programs nationwide, see our national software engineering rankings. Students considering cost should review our most affordable software engineering programs guide. Career-focused students can explore our software engineer 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 data
Class size and faculty accessibility indicators
Texas-specific salaries from BLS OEWS May 2024
Employer partnerships and internship placement rates
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Texas at Austin | Austin | Public | $12,036 | 86% | 18:1 | 96.8 |
| 2 | Rice University | Houston | Private | $54,960 | 93% | 6:1 | 95.2 |
| 3 | Texas A&M University | College Station | Public | $13,360 | 82% | 20:1 | 91.6 |
| 4 | Southern Methodist University | Dallas | Private | $61,980 | 82% | 11:1 | 89.4 |
| 5 | UT Dallas | Richardson | Public | $14,564 | 74% | 24:1 | 88.2 |
| 6 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock | Public | $11,432 | 68% | 20:1 | 85.7 |
| 7 | UT Arlington | Arlington | Public | $11,040 | 54% | 26:1 | 83.8 |
| 8 | University of Houston | Houston | Public | $11,766 | 67% | 23:1 | 82.6 |
| 9 | Texas State University | San Marcos | Public | $11,520 | 59% | 27:1 | 81.4 |
| 10 | Baylor University | Waco | Private | $51,738 | 79% | 14:1 | 80.9 |
| 11 | UT San Antonio | San Antonio | Public | $10,680 | 50% | 25:1 | 79.2 |
| 12 | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth | Private | $53,070 | 83% | 13:1 | 78.8 |
| 13 | UT Tyler | Tyler | Public | $8,772 | 52% | 19:1 | 77.5 |
| 14 | Texas A&M Commerce | Commerce | Public | $8,364 | 45% | 22:1 | 76.3 |
| 15 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | Public | $10,440 | 56% | 21:1 | 75.1 |
| 16 | Texas A&M Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi | Public | $9,984 | 48% | 19:1 | 74.6 |
| 17 | Prairie View A&M University | Prairie View | Public | $10,538 | 47% | 17:1 | 73.8 |
| 18 | UT Permian Basin | Odessa | Public | $7,956 | 41% | 20:1 | 72.9 |
| 19 | Stephen F. Austin State | Nacogdoches | Public | $9,168 | 53% | 20:1 | 72.4 |
| 20 | Lamar University | Beaumont | Public | $8,832 | 42% | 18:1 | 71.7 |
| 21 | Texas A&M Kingsville | Kingsville | Public | $8,796 | 46% | 18:1 | 71.2 |
| 22 | West Texas A&M University | Canyon | Public | $8,676 | 49% | 19:1 | 70.8 |
| 23 | Texas Woman's University | Denton | Public | $9,588 | 52% | 17:1 | 70.3 |
| 24 | Midwestern State University | Wichita Falls | Public | $8,520 | 44% | 17:1 | 69.9 |
| 25 | Sul Ross State University | Alpine | Public | $7,992 | 39% | 15:1 | 69.2 |
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • University
Program Highlights
- • 86% graduation rate with 94% job placement within 6 months
- • Average starting salary of $108,000 for software engineering graduates
- • Over 200 tech companies actively recruit on campus annually
- • In-state tuition of $12,036 provides exceptional value for top-tier education
Program Strengths
- World-class faculty including Turing Award winners and industry pioneers
- Direct industry partnerships with Dell Technologies, IBM, Oracle, and Tesla
- Comprehensive software engineering curriculum covering full-stack development, DevOps, and system design
- Active research in AI, cybersecurity, and distributed systems with student participation opportunities
- Strong alumni network throughout Texas tech industry and Silicon Valley
Why Ranked #1
UT Austin's Computer Science program consistently ranks among the top 10 nationally, with exceptional faculty research in software engineering, AI, and systems. Located in Silicon Hills, students have unmatched access to internships and full-time opportunities at Dell, IBM, Oracle, and hundreds of tech startups.
Student Reviews
"UT Austin's location in Austin is incredible for internships. I had offers from Dell, IBM, and three startups before graduation."
— Software Engineering Graduate, Class of 2024
"The faculty are world-renowned researchers who actually care about teaching. I learned more in four years than I thought possible."
— Current Senior, Computer Science
Rice University
Houston, TX • University
Program Highlights
- • 93% graduation rate with near-perfect job placement outcomes
- • Average starting salary of $115,000 reflecting program prestige
- • 100% of students complete internships at major tech or energy companies
- • Extensive undergraduate research opportunities with faculty mentorship
Program Strengths
- Exceptional 6:1 student-faculty ratio enabling close mentorship relationships
- Rigorous curriculum combining computer science theory with software engineering practice
- Strong research opportunities in machine learning, robotics, and software systems
- Active collaboration with Houston's energy sector for tech innovation
- Small cohorts create tight-knit community and extensive alumni networking
Why Ranked #2
Rice University offers an elite private education with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio that ensures personalized attention and mentorship. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical software engineering skills, with strong connections to Houston's energy tech sector.
Student Reviews
"The small class sizes mean professors know your name and career goals. I had three research projects and two internships by graduation."
— Alumni, Software Engineering, Class of 2023
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX • University
Program Highlights
- • 82% graduation rate with strong job placement in Texas tech industry
- • Average starting salary of $95,000 with rapid career progression
- • Over 150 companies recruit Computer Science graduates annually
- • Affordable in-state tuition of $13,360 with excellent ROI
Program Strengths
- Strong foundation in engineering principles applied to software development
- Comprehensive coverage of software lifecycle, testing, and project management
- Extensive industry partnerships with major Texas employers
- Active Aggie alumni network providing mentorship and career opportunities
- Growing research initiatives in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence
Why Ranked #3
Texas A&M leverages its strong engineering heritage to deliver a comprehensive software engineering program with extensive industry partnerships. The Aggie network provides unparalleled career connections throughout Texas and beyond.
Student Reviews
"The Aggie network is real. I had job offers from three different Aggie alumni before I even graduated."
— Recent Graduate, Computer Science
Texas University Systems: Public Excellence and Value
Texas offers exceptional value through its public university systems, each providing distinct advantages for software engineering students. The University of Texas System leads with UT Austin's flagship program, while regional campuses like UT Dallas and UT Arlington offer growing tech programs with strong industry connections.
The Texas A&M University System brings engineering excellence to software development education. Beyond the flagship College Station campus, universities like Texas A&M Commerce and Texas A&M Corpus Christi provide quality programs with smaller class sizes and personalized attention.
Texas State University System institutions, including Texas State in San Marcos and Sam Houston State, offer affordable programs with growing tech industry partnerships. These universities particularly excel at preparing students for careers in Austin's expanding tech corridor and Houston's energy technology sector.
Students should also consider software engineering programs in California for Silicon Valley access, or New York programs for fintech opportunities. For comprehensive program comparisons, see our best value software engineering programs guide.
Career Paths
Software Developer/Engineer
SOC 15-1252Design, develop, and maintain software applications and systems for tech companies, startups, and enterprise organizations throughout Texas.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1299Bridge development and operations teams by implementing CI/CD pipelines, cloud infrastructure, and automation tools for rapid software deployment.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Apply machine learning and statistical analysis to solve business problems, particularly in Austin's fintech and Houston's energy sectors.
AI/ML Engineer
SOC 15-2031Develop artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions for autonomous vehicles, robotics, and predictive analytics applications.
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Protect software systems and networks from security threats, with high demand in Texas's defense, energy, and financial sectors.
Source: Texas maximizes take-home pay compared to California (13.3% tax) and New York (10.9% tax)
Software Engineering Programs by State
California
New York
Florida
Washington
Illinois
Massachusetts
| Factor | Public Universities | Private Universities | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average In-State Tuition | $10,500 | $54,000 | |
| Average Class Size | 25-30 students | 15-20 students | |
| Research Opportunities | Extensive at flagships | High faculty access | |
| Industry Connections | Strong in Austin/Houston | Elite alumni networks | |
| Financial Aid | State grants available | Merit scholarships | |
| Career Services | Large employer networks | Personalized guidance |
Which Should You Choose?
- No state income tax to maximize your software engineering salary
- Access to Austin's Silicon Hills tech ecosystem with Dell, IBM, Oracle
- Affordable public education with UT Austin and Texas A&M excellence
- Lower cost of living compared to California and New York tech hubs
- Diverse tech opportunities from Houston energy tech to Dallas enterprise
- Strong university systems with extensive industry partnerships
- Growing startup scene with venture capital investment increasing annually
- Silicon Valley access and highest tech salaries (California)
- Fintech and media tech opportunities (New York)
- Established tech scenes with deeper venture capital (California/Washington)
- More temperate climates year-round
- Extensive public transportation systems
Texas Software Engineering Programs FAQ
Related Software Engineering Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Graduation rates, enrollment data, and institutional characteristics for all accredited universities
State-specific salary data for software developers and related technology occupations
Texas-specific higher education data, enrollment trends, and workforce outcomes
Federal education statistics including program accreditation and completion rates
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.