Texas is the second-largest technology job market in the United States — and it’s growing faster than any other state. Austin-area CS salaries average $126,621, followed by Dallas at $120,866, Houston at $115,110, and San Antonio at $109,355.
Tesla, Apple, Dell, Oracle, and Google all have major Austin operations. Samsung, AT&T, Ericsson, Texas Instruments, and Cisco dominate the DFW Telecom Corridor. And Texas is the second-largest tech job market in the U.S., with no state income tax.
For computer science students — domestic or international — Texas combines world-class program quality, elite industry access, affordable tuition options, and STEM OPT for 36 months into one of the most compelling study destinations in the country. This guide ranks the best Texas universities for computer science in 2026.
Quick Comparison — Best Texas CS Programs 2026
| University | CS Undergrad Rank | CS Grad Rank | Avg Starting Salary | Intl Tuition (with scholarship) | STEM OPT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UT Austin | #9 nationally (US News 2026) | #10 nationally (US News 2026-27) | $110,000–$150,000+ | ~$40,582–$48,712 (TA/RA available) | ✅ 36 months |
| Rice University | Top 20 nationally | Top 20 nationally | $131,154 median (1 yr out) | ~$65,475 (need-based aid) | ✅ 36 months |
| Texas A&M | Top 25 nationally | Top 25 nationally | $65,000–$85,000 | ~$12,995 (with $4K waiver) | ✅ 36 months |
| UT Dallas | #2 in Texas (College Factual) | Strong CAE-designated | DFW tech corridor | ~$14,644 (with AES) | ✅ 36 months |
| UNT | R1, CAE-designated | Growing | DFW tech access | ~$13,506 (with Excellence) | ✅ 36 months |
| University of Houston | CAE-designated | Strong | $115,110 (Houston avg) | ~$13,506 (with waiver) | ✅ 36 months |
| Texas Tech | Regional strong | Growing R1 | $65,000–$80,000 | ~$11,852 (Presidential waiver) | ✅ 36 months |
| SMU | R1, Lyle Engineering | Strong data science | ~$73,000 (10-yr median) | ~$67,040 | ✅ 36 months |
1. University of Texas at Austin — Best CS University in Texas
UT Austin has the strongest computer science program in Texas — and one of the strongest in the United States. The Department of Computer Science at The University of Texas at Austin ranks No. 9 nationally among undergraduate programs in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. Its Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science Theory programs rank No. 7 and No. 9, respectively.
At the graduate level: The UT Austin Computer Science graduate program has again been recognized as top 10 in the country, according to the 2026–2027 U.S. News & World Report “Best Graduate Schools” rankings. The program is known for its leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Systems, Theory, and strong ties to the Austin tech ecosystem, attracting interest from top industry recruiters.
Key Rankings and Facts
- #9 undergraduate CS nationally (US News 2026)
- #10 graduate CS nationally (US News 2026–27)
- Four Computer Science programs ranked in the top 10: Artificial Intelligence (#7), Programming Languages (#7), Computer Systems (#8), Theory (#9).
- UT has become one of the nation’s leading destinations for AI research, with its graduate AI program climbing steadily up the national rankings. The recently announced School of Computing, opening in Fall 2026, firmly cements UT as one of the top destinations in the country for computer science students and researchers.
- 5,000+ NVIDIA GPUs — one of the largest generative AI computing clusters in academia.
- 55 full-time CS faculty; 3:1 PhD student-faculty ratio
- Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) — one of the world’s most powerful academic supercomputers on campus
CS Programs at UT Austin
- BS Computer Science — ranked #9 nationally; specializations in AI, systems, theory, software engineering
- MS Computer Science — 9% acceptance rate; average starting salary $110,000, with top offers exceeding $150,000. Specializations: Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Systems, Theory
- PhD Computer Science — top-10 nationally; funded positions with tuition waiver and stipend
- BS/MS Dual Degree — accelerated pathway for top undergraduates
- Online MS Computer Science (OMCS) — Georgia Tech partnership model; one of the most affordable MSCS programs in the country at ~$10,000 total
Career Outcomes
The University of Texas at Austin graduates boast a 95% employment rate. Major recruiters: Apple (Austin HQ), Dell Technologies, Google (Austin office), Amazon, Meta, Oracle, Tesla, IBM, AT&T, and hundreds of Austin-based startups. Many graduates receive offers from leading tech companies, often including stock options and signing bonuses.
For International Students
International tuition: ~$40,582–$48,712/year. The application fee is $65 for U.S. residents and $90 for international students. Tuition is full-time: $18,162 per year (out-of-state). Graduate TA/RA positions — which include tuition waivers and stipends — are the primary financial support pathway. The MSCS program has a ~9% acceptance rate; apply with GRE 316+, strong research background, and a compelling statement of purpose. Application deadline: December 15.
2. Rice University — Best Private CS University in Texas
Rice University is ranked #17 nationally and consistently in the top 20 for CS programs. Rice University leads in early-career pay for Computer Science, with median earnings around $131,154 one year after graduation.
The 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio means CS students work directly with faculty researchers from their first semester — an experience that distinguishes Rice from larger Texas CS programs.
Key Rankings and Facts
- #17 national university (US News); top 20 CS program
- $131,154 median CS salary one year after graduation — highest of any Texas university
- 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio — most intimate CS learning environment in Texas
- Research strengths: AI, human-computer interaction, cybersecurity, distributed systems, bioinformatics
- Direct access to NASA Johnson Space Center (25 miles) and Texas Medical Center (across the street) for CS research applications in aerospace and biomedical informatics
- $8.6+ billion endowment funds research labs, computational infrastructure, and student research opportunities
CS Programs at Rice
- BS Computer Science — integrated with the George R. Brown School of Engineering
- MS Computer Science — research-focused; small cohort; Houston tech and energy sector connections
- PhD Computer Science — fully funded; tuition waiver + stipend for all PhD students
- MS Data Science — growing program with AI and analytics specialization
For International Students
Listed tuition: ~$65,475/year. Rice is need-aware for international applicants but meets 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students through institutional grants. For PhD students, full funding (tuition waiver + stipend) is standard. The Eugene McDermott Scholars Program — open to international undergraduates — covers full tuition, housing, meals, and up to $15,000 for international travel.
3. Texas A&M University — Best Large Public CS Program
Texas A&M’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering is consistently ranked among the top 25 nationally and is one of the most comprehensive CS programs at any Texas public university. With 125 engineering degree programs, TAMU’s CS program benefits from one of the strongest research infrastructures of any Texas university — $1 billion+ in annual research expenditure.
Key Rankings and Facts
- Top 25 nationally for CS (graduate and undergraduate, US News)
- NSF R&D funding: #14 nationally among government-funded institutions
- CAE-designated (Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity)
- Research specializations: AI/ML, distributed systems, cybersecurity, data science, human-computer interaction, bioinformatics
- Texas A&M University reports 9a 3% CS employment rate
- Aggie Network — 500,000+ alumni; strong CS placement through Aggie-hire-Aggie culture
CS Programs at Texas A&M
- BS Computer Science — ABET-accredited; specializations in AI, cybersecurity, systems, and software engineering
- MS Computer Science — thesis and non-thesis options; strong research funding
- MS Computer Engineering — hardware-software intersection
- PhD Computer Science — fully funded positions available in most research areas
- MS Cybersecurity — CAE-designated; growing industry demand
Career Outcomes and For International Students
Entry-level salaries for TAMU CS graduates: $65,000–$85,000. Top employers: Dell, Amazon, Microsoft, AT&T, Google, IBM, Lockheed Martin, and hundreds of Texas tech companies. The $4,000 competitive scholarship waiver unlocks in-state tuition of $12,995/year for international undergraduates; graduate students need only a $1,000+ scholarship for the in-state waiver. TA/RA positions with tuition waivers available across CS research groups.
4. University of Texas at Dallas — Best CS Value + DFW Placement
UT Dallas has one of the most strategically positioned CS programs in Texas — and arguably the best cost-to-placement ratio of any Texas CS program. UTD ranked #2 for computer engineering in Texas (College Factual 2026), and UTD holds both CAE-CDE and CAE-R (Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and Research) designations at $14,564/year — making it a strong public alternative in the DFW metro.
Key Rankings and Facts
- #2 Computer Engineering in Texas (College Factual 2026)
- CAE-CDE and CAE-R designated — NSA/DHS cybersecurity excellence recognition
- Founded by Texas Instruments engineers — industry DNA embedded in curriculum
- Richardson campus sits inside the Telecom Corridor — Samsung, Ericsson, AT&T, Cisco, TI, Nokia all within minutes
- 4,300+ students placed in internships annually — highest per-enrollment internship rate in Texas
- Most enrolled international CS graduate program in Texas (part of #1 ranking for international students in Texas)
CS Programs at UTD
- BS Computer Science — ABET-accredited; largest undergraduate major at UTD
- MS Computer Science — most enrolled graduate program; specializations in AI/ML, cybersecurity, data science, systems
- MS Software Engineering — STEM-designated; software development focus
- MS Computer Engineering — hardware/software integration
- MS Cybersecurity Technology and Policy — CAE-designated; growing field
- PhD Computer Science — research funding available; Johnson School research centers
Career Outcomes and For International Students
Dallas CS salaries average $120,866. Top Telecom Corridor employers: Samsung (semiconductor design), Ericsson (5G), AT&T (software engineering, network), Cisco, Texas Instruments, Nokia. The AES Scholarship — automatic for all December 1 applicants — unlocks in-state tuition of ~$14,644/year for any international recipient, saving approximately $25,500/year versus the out-of-state rate. All CS programs are STEM-designated for 36-month OPT.
5. University of North Texas — Best Affordable R1 CS in DFW
UNT is an R1 research university with a CAE-designated CS program and one of the most affordable scholarship pathways in Texas. Located 35 miles north of Dallas in Denton, UNT gives CS students access to DFW’s deep employer base at a price point that is genuinely accessible.
Key Facts
- CAE-CDE designated (Cybersecurity)
- R1 research classification — CS research in AI, distributed systems, bioinformatics, and cybersecurity
- Discovery Park campus — 290-acre dedicated engineering and CS research facility with Cyber Range
- Excellence Scholarship automatic by March 1 — any tier unlocks in-state tuition of ~$13,506/year
- 72% acceptance rate — most accessible R1 CS program in DFW
CS Programs at UNT
- BS Computer Science
- BS Cybersecurity Engineering
- MS Computer Science — specializations in AI, data science, cybersecurity, distributed systems
- MS Artificial Intelligence — new and growing program
- PhD Computer Science and Engineering
For International Students
With the Excellence Scholarship, international CS students pay ~$13,506/year — one of the lowest rates at any R1 university in Texas. DFW employer access via DART A-train from Denton to Dallas. All CS programs STEM-designated for 36-month OPT.
6. University of Houston — Best CS for Houston Tech and Energy Sector
University of Houston’s Department of Computer Science is ABET-accredited and CAE-designated, and benefits from its position inside the world’s energy capital — where CS professionals increasingly drive digital transformation in the oil and gas sector, healthcare informatics at the Texas Medical Center, and enterprise software at Houston’s 26 Fortune 500 companies.
Key Facts
- CAE-designated (Cybersecurity)
- R1 research university — CS research in AI, cybersecurity, data science, and software systems
- Strong healthcare informatics specialization leveraging Texas Medical Center proximity
- Energy sector digital transformation — unique CS career pathway specific to Houston
- Competitive scholarship waiver: $1,000+ institutional scholarship unlocks in-state tuition (~$13,506/year)
CS Programs at UH
- BS Computer Science
- BS Computer Engineering
- MS Computer Science — specializations in AI, systems, cybersecurity, data science
- MS Data Science — growing program
- PhD Computer Science
7. Texas Tech University — Best Affordable CS Outside DFW/Austin
Texas Tech University is an R1 research university in Lubbock with a strong CS department and one of the most accessible scholarship pathways in Texas. The Presidential Scholarship + competitive tuition waiver brings tuition to ~$11,852/year — the lowest in-state equivalent rate of any R1 CS program in Texas after scholarships.
Key Facts
- R1 research classification — CS research in AI, data science, cybersecurity, and HCI
- Presidential Scholarship automatically considered — unlocks in-state tuition of ~$11,852/year
- 71% acceptance rate — most accessible R1 for CS applicants
- Permian Basin tech industry connections — growing Lubbock tech sector
- CS programs STEM-designated for 36-month OPT
CS Programs at Texas Tech
- BS Computer Science
- BS Software Engineering
- MS Computer Science
- MS Software Engineering
- PhD Computer Science
8. SMU — Best Private CS Option in Dallas
SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering offers CS and data science programs at a private R1 university in the heart of Dallas. SMU’s CS programs benefit from the university’s recent R1 classification (2025) and its location adjacent to Dallas’s corporate tech sector — AT&T, Texas Instruments, Lockheed Martin, and JPMorgan Chase all recruit from SMU.
Key Facts
- R1 classification (Carnegie 2025) — growing research output in AI and data science
- MS Data Science — one of SMU’s most enrolled graduate programs
- University Park location — direct access to North Dallas corporate tech employers
- 93% of SMU graduates employed within 2 years; highest 10-year median salary ($73,000) of any private Texas university
- CS programs STEM-designated for 36-month OPT
Texas CS Salary by City — What You’ll Earn After Graduation
| Texas City | Avg CS Salary | Best University Nearby | Top Employers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | $126,621 | UT Austin | Apple, Google, Tesla, Dell, Oracle, Meta, Amazon |
| Dallas | $120,866 | UT Dallas, SMU | AT&T, Samsung, Ericsson, TI, Cisco, JPMorgan |
| Houston | $115,110 | UH, Rice | ExxonMobil, Shell, NASA, HP, Schlumberger |
| San Antonio | $109,355 | UTSA | USA, Rackspace, H-E-B, NSA (cybersecurity hub) |
Texas is the second-largest tech job market in the U.S., with no state income tax. The no-income-tax advantage means Texas CS graduates keep $5,000–$7,000 more per year compared to California or New York counterparts at equivalent salaries. Over a 3-year STEM OPT period, that’s $15,000–$21,000 in additional take-home pay.
STEM OPT and CAE Designations — Why They Matter for CS Students
STEM OPT — 36 Months of Work Authorization
All CS programs at every university in this guide are STEM-designated — qualifying graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after the standard 12-month OPT, for a total of 36 months of post-graduation work authorization. For international CS students, this is critical:
- 36 months to build U.S. work experience before H-1B sponsorship is needed
- Time to qualify for O-1 Extraordinary Ability visa if H-1B lottery is unsuccessful
- Indian students facing 80+ year EB-2 backlogs can use STEM OPT years to build EB-1A extraordinary ability cases
- Employer must be E-Verify registered — most major Texas tech employers qualify
CAE Designations — Cybersecurity Excellence
Several Texas CS programs hold Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designations from the NSA and DHS — the gold standard for cybersecurity education quality:
- UTD — CAE-CDE (Cyber Defense Education) + CAE-R (Cyber Research)
- UNT — CAE-CDE
- University of Houston — CAE-CDE
- Texas A&M — CAE-Research and CAE-CDE
- UT Austin — CAE-Research
CAE designation matters for students targeting cybersecurity careers in federal agencies (NSA, DHS, FBI, CISA), defense contractors (Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, L3 Technologies), and enterprise security roles.
Which Texas CS University Should You Choose?
| If Your Goal Is… | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Highest national CS ranking | UT Austin — #9 undergrad, #10 grad nationally |
| Best early-career CS salary | Rice University — $131,154 median, 1 year out |
| Best AI/ML research program | UT Austin — AI #7 nationally; 5,000+ NVIDIA GPUs |
| Best CS value (intl, with scholarship) | UT Dallas — ~$14,644/yr with AES; Telecom Corridor |
| Most affordable R1 CS (intl) | Texas Tech — ~$11,852/yr with Presidential Scholarship |
| Best DFW Telecom Corridor access | UT Dallas — Samsung, Ericsson, AT&T on doorstep |
| Best engineering breadth + Aggie Network | Texas A&M — top 25 CS; 500K+ alumni network |
| Best cybersecurity program | UTD or TAMU — both CAE-CDE + CAE-R designated |
| Best accessible R1 in DFW | UNT — 72% accept rate; ~$13,506/yr with scholarship |
| Best private CS in Dallas | SMU — R1, Dallas corporate access, highest 10-yr salary |
Final Thoughts
The best computer science degree programs in Texas based on our methodology are: 1) UT Austin (89% graduation rate), 2) UT Dallas, and 3) Rice University. But the “best” CS program in Texas depends entirely on your budget, career target, and academic profile. UT Austin’s #9 national ranking and AI research powerhouse status make it the prestige choice.
Rice’s $131,154 median early-career salary makes it the highest-return private choice. UTD’s AES scholarship + Telecom Corridor location make it the best value for international students. And Texas Tech’s Presidential Scholarship waiver makes it the most affordable R1 pathway for students who prioritize cost.
92% of computer science graduates from Texas’s top institutions secure full-time positions within six months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $78,450. Five years after graduation, more than 68% of Texas computer science alumni advance to senior or managerial positions, with median salaries climbing to $112,300.
For scholarship strategies that reduce tuition at Texas CS programs, see our How to Get a Scholarship at Texas University guide. For the most affordable CS options, see our Cheapest Texas Universities for International Students. For Indian and Pakistani students specifically, see our Best Texas Universities for Indian Students 2026–27 and Best Texas Universities for Pakistani Students 2026–27 guides.
Have questions about Texas CS programs or which university fits your profile? Drop your GPA, GRE score, and career target in the comments — we’ll give you our honest take.
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