The Average College Tuition in Texas

College tuition can be a huge financial burden.

With public colleges and universities in Texas costing an average of $5,836 a year, and private schools averaging $22,218 a year as of 2010, tuition can be a determining factor when choosing a student's college education. However, community colleges average only $1,980 a year for tuition. This is assuming the student is taking 15 hours per semester for both fall and spring, and doesn't include living expenses, books or other financial needs that a student will have. The good news is that Texas has several funding programs to supplement the federal Pell grant and student loans.

Public Four-Year Universities

Public universities in Texas offer a quality education at a relatively low price.

The public post-secondary school system in Texas is more extensive than in most states (attributable to land mass and a reputation for inexpensive, quality schools). The public system's in-state average tuition and fees is $7,148 per year, compared with the 2010 national average of $13,424, Texas earns it reputation for quality education at a reasonable price. The University of Texas at Dallas charges the highest tuition in the University of Texas system at $10,744 per year.

Private Four-Year Universites

Private universities are more costly than most public universities.

Private universities are not state funded like public universities and have to cover their expenses primarily through student tuition and other resources such as endowments. A 2002 study done on the trends of U.S. GPAs in both public and private universities (see Reference 2) found that the students at private universities have higher GPAs, which can be a great motivator for career-bound students. However, with a year of tuition and fees at private institutions costing more than a new SUV, costs can be a real barrier to education. Private universities in Texas such as Rice, Trinity University and Southwestern Methodist University cost over $30,000 per year in tuition and fees alone. It is important to know that there are many options available to help reduce the cost of tuition at private universities.

Community Colleges

Many community colleges offer distance education.

There are several community colleges in Texas. Most are trade schools or serve the entire county with several campuses per school. With low tuition rates, ease of acceptance and options for the nontraditional student, community colleges offer a great option for many low-income students, or students looking to get the basics completed before they go to a four-year university.

College For all Texans

College for All Texans' website helps students find funding for college.

CollegeforallTexans.com is a website with information about the many state programs for funding college education. It has exemption and waiver programs listed for qualifying students, including veterans and their families, high school dual-enrollment students, adopted students from foster care, senior citizens and students receiving public assistance.

Grant and scholarship programs in Texas help to reduce the gap between the Pell grant and the cost of education, such as the TEXAS grant, the TEACH grant, TEG, and several other programs for both students with financial need and students with certain circumstances. Also, there are several federal, state and private institute resources listed for loans to students in Texas.

Finding the Right College

Finding the right college or university can open many doors for the future.

The right college is different for every student. Choosing a public or a private school, two-year or four-year and what school has the best reputation for the degree you're pursuing. Maybe you just need a school that is reasonable in price and close to home. Consider all your factors, and do research on the schools that you are interested in. CollegeForAllTexans.com has a college match-up program that can help narrow the field on colleges that meet your needs, and has a link to the common application for universities in Texas to make applying easier.

References

• Fast Facts
• College for All Texans
• Grade Inflation: Recent GPA Trends Nationwide