The Best College Towns in Texas

More than 140 colleges and universities call Texas home, and over 1.6 million students attended these institutions in the 2020 academic year. But what draws these students to the second-largest state in the U.S.? One reason is the relatively low cost of living (and studying) in Texas. Among U.S. states, Texas had the 15th lowest cost of living in 2021.

Some other reasons to study in Texas include its great food, live music, and opportunities for outdoor adventures. Additionally, in 2019, Forbes ranked Texas the top state for growth prospects. When choosing a college, students may be attracted to Texas’ low cost of living, positive projected job growth, and high-quality academic programs. For more information about going to college in the Lone Star State, check out our Resources for Students in Texas page.

To come up with this list of the best college towns in Texas, we considered a handful of variables. These towns are close to a college campus — with downtown areas typically within walking distance. They offer fun, student-centered attractions; affordability; a good education; and a safe place to call home. Some also made our list of the best cities to work in Texas. While you won’t find many of Texas’ biggest cities on this list, the towns described below still offer lots for college students to do.

Texas A&M’s enrollments in 2021 totaled more than 73,000 students, making Aggies a large percentage of College Station’s population. It’s a town filled with youthful energy and one that takes college football seriously. On fall Saturdays, fans head to Kyle Field — the biggest stadium in the Southeastern Conference.

College Station is located in the heart of Brazos Valley: a tech- and research-based area with easy access to Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. It offers a lower cost of living than the average U.S. city and affordable housing. The town also boasts more than 50 public parks, which provide swimming pools, hiking trails, and tennis and basketball courts.

Students flock to the many bars, restaurants, and music venues that cater to the younger crowd. For a fun winter activity, consider hitting the ice at the Spirit Ice Arena.

Lubbock offers one of the lowest cost of living cities on our list; as of November 2021, the average monthly for a one-bedroom apartment was $747. In addition to affordability, Lubbock’s students also enjoy local craft breweries and a multitude of casual dining options.

It’s no wonder that over 52,000 college students make this city — located in the northwestern part of Texas — their home. In addition to great beer and affordability, Lubbock’s Depot District boasts a diverse entertainment scene that includes the local theater, numerous art galleries, and frequent live music.

This small, suburban-like town is a mix of quiet neighborhoods and a downtown district featuring a growing number of restaurants and shopping options. With about 10,000 students, West Texas A&M’s student body makes up a significant part of the town.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy easy access to Palo Duro Canyon State Park — the second-largest canyon in the U.S. College students who make the 14-mile journey to the park enjoy camping, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

For over two months in the summer, the canyon’s natural Pioneer Amphitheater hosts the TEXAS Outdoor Musical, the longest-running outdoor musical drama in the nation. Canyon also lays claim to over 20 historical sites and the largest historical museum in Texas.

Denton is the 12th-largest city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Known for its vibrant music scene, students in the area can enjoy numerous concert venues, music festivals, and clubs, as well as UNT’s Murchison Performing Arts Center. Rooftop bars, restaurants, shops, and event venues line the historic downtown square.

The North Texas Fair and Rodeo holds court in Denton for nine days each year. The area also offers one of the largest concentrations of horse farms in the country. Those who love the great outdoors can head to one of the city’s 20-plus trails or the Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center.

For a fun fall college activity, Denton offers one of the best Day of the Dead celebrations in Texas. About 55,000 college students make Denton their home.

This bustling college town sits along the shores of the Brazos River in central Texas. The city offers several outdoor recreational sites, including Indian Spring Park, which features live concerts, and Cameron Park, which boasts hiking and mountain biking trails. The 37,000-plus college students who live in Waco can also head to Lake Waco for swimming, hiking, boating, and fishing.

Other popular spots include the Magnolia Market at the Silos and the Instagram-worthy murals found throughout the Waco Downtown Cultural District. Additionally, Waco boasts a dynamic dining scene.

Many students in the town embrace a strong sense of community. For example, Baylor hosts a Habitat for Humanity chapter and a one-day community event called Steppin’ Out.

As of 2021, Residents of Midland boast one of the nation’s highest personal incomes per capita, thanks to the city’s success in the oil industry. Nicknamed the “Tall City” for its downtown skyline, residents can access many activities.

Students can experience live country music, a nature center, wildlife preserves, a drive-in theater, and the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. Established in 2011, the state-of-the-art Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center puts on over 150 shows a year, including country music, symphony orchestras, ballet, and Broadway shows.

Over 4,700 students enrolled at Midland College in 2020.

The largest city on our list, Arlington offers several benefits for college students who enjoy outdoor activities and sporting events. Home to sports teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Wings, Arlington also contains AT&T Stadium — the largest enclosed stadium in the NFL.

Residents can head to the original Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor water park, or one of the area’s more than 100 trails covering almost 500 miles.

Sandwiched between Dallas and Fort Worth, Arlington provides access to all the culture, entertainment, and opportunities these two big cities have to offer. Students can enjoy Arlington’s thriving arts and music scene in the downtown Cultural District.

San Marcos — named after the river that wanders through the heart of town — is located between Austin and San Antonio. Tubers, kayakers, snorkelers, paddle boarders, and swimmers enjoy the river’s water on hot Texas days. TSU’s unique commencement day celebration involves graduates jumping into the river dressed in their caps and gowns.

In 2021, TSU experienced a record-setting enrollment of first-year students. Its total enrollment sits at almost 38,000, which means that the college student body outnumbers the general population. Students can hike in the Purgatory Creek Natural Area and enjoy open mic nights and live music at various venues across town.

Considered part of the “innovation corridor” of the state, the area attracts entrepreneurs and companies like Amazon, Visionary Fiber Technologies, and Urban Mining.

Stephenville is a rural town on the Bosque River about an hour southwest of Fort Worth. The Stephenville Chamber of Commerce claims to have more professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls within its boundaries than any other town in the world.

College students often visit the Splashville Water Park and the Stephenville Disc Golf Course. For a bit of exercise, residents can jog or bike along the 1.5-mile Bosque River Trail. About 60,000 music fans head to the town for the Larry Joe Taylor Music Festival in the spring. This five-day event features live music and camping under the stars.

Students seeking jobs can find opportunities with the major manufacturing companies, small businesses, and retail shops located throughout the community and surrounding areas.

Located in the heart of Texas, Abilene boasts a small-town feel with some big town benefits. Residents can visit over 100 restaurants and numerous annual music festivals, including live performances at the Historic Paramount Theater and the Abilene Philharmonic. The monthly downtown Art Walk lets local artists display their work while musicians and performers fill the streets.

Known as the “Storybook Capital of Texas,” Abilene also offers the most extensive public collection of storybook character sculptures in the state. The area is mainly supported by agriculture and provides a home to more than 4,000 military and civilian personnel who make up the nearby Dyess Air Force Base.

Additionally, Abilene offers a low cost of living. As of March 2022, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment was around $650.

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