8 Reasons to Study in Texas

Choosing the right college is an important decision for any student pursuing higher education. For certain learners, the location of a school is just as important as an institution’s cost, academic offerings, and size. Certain places just feel right for certain people.

For many incoming college students, that place is Texas. Texas’ vast size means that the state houses a variety of colleges, including large public university systems, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), prestigious private institutions, and community colleges.

According to the Education Data Initiative, more than 1.6 million students were enrolled in Texas colleges as of January 2021. Read on to find out why the state of Texas is such a popular place to live, work, and study.

Many college students prefer to attend a school in a location with a mild climate. Colleges with year-round temperate weather allow students to explore the outdoors, participate in sports, and attend parties and concerts during every season. Students that attend schools that offer nice weather and shorter, milder winters may also be able to avoid seasonal affective disorder.

Across the state, Texas features a mild-to-warm climate, allowing students year-round access to outdoor activities. Texas has many geographical features, including mountains, prairies, beaches, deserts, and lakes. The diversity of Texas’s natural beauty appeals to many students.

Texas features a variety of academic opportunities for students, including several large public university systems (the University of Texas, Texas A&M University, Texas State), prestigious private schools (Rice University), and HBCUs (Prairie View A&M University).

The state also houses several prominent community colleges that offer excellent academics and athletics. For example, Navarro College in Corsicana and Trinity Valley Community College in Athens were recently featured on Netflix’s hit docuseries “Cheer.”

No matter what type of school they seek, students are likely to find a good academic fit somewhere in Texas.

Several cities in Texas offer a lower cost of living that students can take advantage of after they graduate. For example, Houston’s cost of living is 3.5 points below the national average, while San Antonio ranks 10.3 points below the national average. It is rare to have the opportunity to live in major cities at such low costs of living. As such, many graduates from Texas schools remain in the Lone Star State after college.

Dallas ranks 1.6 points above the national average for cost of living, while Austin ranks 19.3 points above the national average. These cities compensate for higher costs with plenty of job opportunities and cultural offerings. Austin is among the nation’s best college towns.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Texas ranks as the fifth-most diverse state in the nation. This diversity allows students who attend college in Texas to benefit from a variety of perspectives and opportunities to share their culture with their peers. Because of this diversity, large universities throughout Texas also typically offer a variety of unique majors.

Texas’ proximity to Mexico means that many people in the state speak Spanish, and Mexican culture is a major influence throughout the state.

Because of the breadth of Texas’ natural beauty, students throughout the state have the opportunity to pursue various outdoor recreational activities. Texas is home to beaches, mountains, lakes, and state and national parks, all of which are conducive to spending time outside.

Students in Texas can hike through mountains and parks, climb natural rock faces, wake surf along the coast, or raft down rivers. These areas also offer numerous opportunities for camping and backpacking.

Texas maintains a deep, rich historical and artistic tradition. Major cities like Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio house public art museums, forts, and historic parks. Smaller towns also maintain unique traditions and historic landmarks for students to explore.

Perhaps the most well-known piece of Texas history is the story of the Alamo, a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. You can still visit the Alamo in San Antonio.

Texas’s food culture is legendary across the nation. The state is famous for its barbecue, brought to the region by German and Czech immigrants during the 19th century. Today, different regions of Texas have their own distinct barbecue styles.

Mexican and Southwestern influences also lead to outstanding dishes like breakfast tacos, fajitas, and enchiladas. From Austin’s food trucks to San Antonio’s River Walk, Texas has a mouthwatering food destination for every student.

Texas has a reputation for being obsessed with football, and indeed, many students passionate about supporting college athletics choose Texas for their numerous highly-ranked football programs. The Dallas Cowboys, college teams, and major high school teams throughout the state receive fervent support from their fan bases.

The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University feature college football teams that draw tens of thousands of fans every fall Saturday. Many large universities within Texas also offer excellent intramural sports leagues, which allow students to have fun and exercise when they aren’t studying.

Out of all the major cities in Texas — Houston, El Paso, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth — Houston features some of the best weather. Year-round, the average temperature in Houston hovers around 78 degrees. While summers can get hot in Houston, that is true for the entire state.

Houston houses several community colleges, a robust public university system, and the most prestigious private university in Texas. The University of Houston system includes four distinct campuses, including a downtown campus and a campus in the Third Ward. Rice University is generally considered the best private college in Texas, on par with Ivy League schools.

San Antonio ranks 10.3 points below the national average in terms of cost of living. Dallas and Austin both exceed the national average. The cost of housing in San Antonio is approximately 75% of the national average, and the Alamo City also ranks below the national average in costs for groceries, health, and utilities.

Out of the major cities in Texas, Houston ranks as the most diverse. In addition to a highly diverse population, Houston is also home to a 17-block theater district and over 150 museums.Many cultural events take place in Houston, including a Latin Fest, a Nigerian culture parade, and a Holi festival.

The Barton Creek Greenbelt is a seven-mile park and greenway that stretches throughout the city of Austin. The greenbelt provides opportunities for hiking, walking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and trail running. Locals can also go swimming, caving, and kayaking along the creek.

San Antonio is home to the Alamo, one of Texas’ most important historical sites. The city also houses a robust artistic community. Many local artists enjoy the privacy of San Antonio, feeling as though they can work in peace in a city that is more off the radar. The San Antonio River Walk and downtown areas of the city also feature several art museums.

While Houston’s diversity means the city has a top-notch food scene, Austin is generally considered the best city for foodies in Texas. The home of the University of Texas at Austin is known in some circles as “Hippie Haven,” featuring many vegan-friendly dining options. Iconic food spots in Austin include Austin Rotisserie, Birdie’s, and Nixta Taquería.

Many Texans support the Dallas Cowboys or the Houston Texans. However, the Texas Longhorns at the University of Texas at Austin are hugely popular among college students. Longhorns football is universally loved throughout the Lone Star State, and a fall Saturday in Austin is a unique sporting experience.

Texas is home to many public and private universities, so studying in Texas is a reasonable option for many students; however, you should consider the cost of in-state vs. out-of-state tuition if you do not live in the Lone Star State. Since so many college students enroll at schools in Texas, there are a variety of academic programs, extracurricular activities, and other related opportunities that you can pursue.

Historically, the Texas economy has relied on oil. Now, the state also houses lucrative healthcare and technology sectors, along with several other growing fields. The state’s breadth and diversity can lead to many different career opportunities for graduates of Texas colleges.

Studying in Texas is worth it for many learners; however, beyond cost, you should also consider program and school fit, delivery method, and location before enrolling.

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