Texas doesn't get a lot of attention for its colleges, but there are 67 towns in the state with at least one four-year school -- and some of them make great places to spend four years.
We wanted to know which ones are the best college towns. You know the type of place: plenty of students, plenty to do, affordable rent, and safe enough to walk around at night.
So we used Saturday Night Science to rank all 67 of them on the colleges themselves, the town around them, and things to do. Canyon came out on top.
The 10 Best College Towns In Texas For 2026
Want the bigger picture? See where Texas's towns land among the best college towns in America.
For more reading, check out:
| Colleges | West Texas A & M University |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 6,917 (44 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 15,723 |
| Median rent | $984 |
| Graduation rate | 55% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $23,482 |
Canyon is home to West Texas A & M University. There are 44 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $984 a month, and the average cost to attend is $23,482 a year. It ranks 4th for crime among the 67 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | East Texas A&M University |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 9,912 (106 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 9,383 |
| Median rent | $909 |
| Graduation rate | 53% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $23,438 |
Commerce is home to East Texas A&M University. There are 106 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $909 a month, and the average cost to attend is $23,438 a year. It ranks 13th for crime among the 67 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | Texas State University |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 36,177 (51 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 70,897 |
| Median rent | $1,322 |
| Graduation rate | 61% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $28,073 |
San Marcos is home to Texas State University. There are 51 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,322 a month, and the average cost to attend is $28,073 a year. It ranks 49th for crime among the 67 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | The University of Texas at Austin, Austin Community College District, Saint Edward's University |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 77,727 (8 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 979,539 |
| Median rent | $1,729 |
| Graduation rate | 53% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $38,312 |
Austin is home to The University of Texas at Austin, Austin Community College District, Saint Edward's University. There are 8 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,729 a month, and the average cost to attend is $38,312 a year. It ranks 62nd for crime among the 67 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | Texas A&M University-College Station |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 59,615 (48 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 124,570 |
| Median rent | $1,194 |
| Graduation rate | 86% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $32,696 |
College Station is home to Texas A&M University-College Station. There are 48 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,194 a month, and the average cost to attend is $32,696 a year. It ranks 9th for crime among the 67 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | Trinity Valley Community College |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 5,655 (43 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 13,200 |
| Median rent | $1,112 |
| Graduation rate | 36% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $14,467 |
Athens is home to Trinity Valley Community College. There are 43 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,112 a month, and the average cost to attend is $14,467 a year. It ranks 20th for crime among the 67 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | University of North Texas, Texas Woman's University |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 43,108 (28 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 152,866 |
| Median rent | $1,420 |
| Graduation rate | 60% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $24,238 |
Denton is home to University of North Texas, Texas Woman's University. There are 28 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,420 a month, and the average cost to attend is $24,238 a year. It ranks 26th for crime among the 67 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | Stephen F Austin State University |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 8,728 (27 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 32,197 |
| Median rent | $964 |
| Graduation rate | 57% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $25,791 |
Nacogdoches is home to Stephen F Austin State University. There are 27 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $964 a month, and the average cost to attend is $25,791 a year. It ranks 16th for crime among the 67 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | Sam Houston State University |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 17,743 (37 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 47,864 |
| Median rent | $1,035 |
| Graduation rate | 63% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $25,505 |
Huntsville is home to Sam Houston State University. There are 37 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $1,035 a month, and the average cost to attend is $25,505 a year. It ranks 34th for crime among the 67 towns we ranked.
| Colleges | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|---|---|
| Undergrads | 28,666 (27 per 100 residents) |
| Population | 104,550 |
| Median rent | $996 |
| Graduation rate | 59% |
| Cost to attend (per year) | $16,830 |
Edinburg is home to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. There are 27 undergrads for every 100 residents, the median rent is $996 a month, and the average cost to attend is $16,830 a year. It ranks 32nd for crime among the 67 towns we ranked.
Saturday Night Science
How we determined the best college towns in Texas
First, we decided that every town on the list had to have at least one four-year college -- a school that grants bachelor's degrees -- and at least 5,000 residents. There are 67 towns in Texas that fit the bill.
Then we ranked every town on these categories:
- The town: unemployment rate, median rent, and crime per capita
- The colleges: graduation rate, the average cost to attend, and student body diversity
- Things to do: bars, museums and libraries per capita, and population density
- Students: undergrads as a share of the population
- Size: population, since bigger towns have more going on
We ranked each town on every measure, averaged those ranks into a score for each category, and then averaged the categories. The town with the best overall score is the best college town in Texas.
Our data comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (enrollment, graduation rates, cost, and diversity), the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey, the FBI's 2024 crime report. We left out colleges that are online-only or mostly online, since their students don't actually live in town. A handful of towns don't report crime to the FBI, so we gave them the average.
We updated this article for 2026. This is our eleventh time ranking the best college towns in Texas.
Summary
There You Have It -- The Best College Towns In Texas
If you're looking for the best college towns in Texas, Canyon is where to start.
The best college towns in Texas are Canyon, Commerce, San Marcos, Austin, College Station, Athens, Denton, Nacogdoches, Huntsville, and Edinburg.
For more college towns, check out the best college towns in America.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best college town in Texas for 2026?
Canyon is the best college town in Texas for 2026, followed by Commerce and San Marcos.
How did you rank the best college towns in Texas?
We looked at every town in Texas with at least 5,000 residents and a four-year college, then ranked them on city characteristics, college characteristics, things to do, the share of residents who are students, and size. The town with the best average rank is number one.
What is the worst college town in Texas?
Jacksonville ranks last of the 67 college towns we ranked in Texas for 2026.
Best College Towns In Texas For 2026
| Rank | City | Population | Undergrads | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canyon, TX | 15,723 | 6,917 | $984 |
| 2 | Commerce, TX | 9,383 | 9,912 | $909 |
| 3 | San Marcos, TX | 70,897 | 36,177 | $1,322 |
| 4 | Austin, TX | 979,539 | 77,727 | $1,729 |
| 5 | College Station, TX | 124,570 | 59,615 | $1,194 |
| 6 | Athens, TX | 13,200 | 5,655 | $1,112 |
| 7 | Denton, TX | 152,866 | 43,108 | $1,420 |
| 8 | Nacogdoches, TX | 32,197 | 8,728 | $964 |
| 9 | Huntsville, TX | 47,864 | 17,743 | $1,035 |
| 10 | Edinburg, TX | 104,550 | 28,666 | $996 |
| 11 | McKinney, TX | 210,600 | 26,449 | $1,901 |
| 12 | Tyler, TX | 109,215 | 17,141 | $1,252 |
| 13 | Wichita Falls, TX | 102,581 | 4,087 | $1,022 |
| 14 | Stephenville, TX | 21,682 | 12,673 | $1,134 |
| 15 | Arlington, TX | 397,742 | 32,578 | $1,470 |
| 16 | Abilene, TX | 128,053 | 5,654 | $1,157 |
| 17 | Galveston, TX | 53,424 | 2,073 | $1,298 |
| 18 | Alpine, TX | 6,014 | 1,396 | $891 |
| 19 | Richardson, TX | 118,731 | 25,577 | $1,857 |
| 20 | Pasadena, TX | 149,433 | 22,969 | $1,213 |
| 21 | Midland, TX | 136,640 | 5,542 | $1,434 |
| 22 | Denison, TX | 25,778 | 3,075 | $1,309 |
| 23 | Lubbock, TX | 264,814 | 35,128 | $1,182 |
| 24 | El Paso, TX | 680,130 | 25,126 | $1,073 |
| 25 | Houston, TX | 2,328,253 | 125,342 | $1,361 |
| 26 | The Woodlands, TX | 121,002 | 45,417 | $1,822 |
| 27 | Southlake, TX | 31,137 | 251 | $3,501 |
| 28 | Belton, TX | 24,356 | 2,759 | $1,252 |
| 29 | Dallas, TX | 1,307,930 | 59,100 | $1,472 |
| 30 | Odessa, TX | 115,322 | 8,565 | $1,315 |
| 31 | San Angelo, TX | 99,674 | 5,643 | $1,153 |
| 32 | Weatherford, TX | 35,788 | 5,094 | $1,527 |
| 33 | Kingsville, TX | 24,994 | 4,748 | $1,037 |
| 34 | McAllen, TX | 145,385 | 15,856 | $1,049 |
| 35 | Laredo, TX | 257,619 | 12,485 | $1,030 |
| 36 | Texarkana, TX | 35,992 | 1,982 | $1,010 |
| 37 | Beaumont, TX | 113,279 | 8,150 | $1,121 |
| 38 | Kerrville, TX | 24,755 | 1,053 | $1,086 |
| 39 | Waco, TX | 143,570 | 14,785 | $1,165 |
| 40 | Corsicana, TX | 25,511 | 3,781 | $1,093 |
| 41 | Killeen, TX | 158,159 | 1,750 | $1,208 |
| 42 | Round Rock, TX | 127,786 | 1,372 | $1,763 |
| 43 | Texas City, TX | 55,364 | 3,368 | $1,307 |
| 44 | Plainview, TX | 19,711 | 2,041 | $851 |
| 45 | Longview, TX | 82,923 | 1,468 | $1,101 |
| 46 | Marshall, TX | 23,825 | 2,064 | $949 |
| 47 | Brownwood, TX | 18,777 | 713 | $882 |
| 48 | Seguin, TX | 33,754 | 1,304 | $1,187 |
| 49 | Garland, TX | 246,844 | 114 | $1,641 |
| 50 | Keene, TX | 6,691 | 570 | $969 |
| 51 | San Antonio, TX | 1,479,835 | 77,716 | $1,324 |
| 52 | Victoria, TX | 65,625 | 2,513 | $1,172 |
| 53 | Sherman, TX | 46,397 | 1,165 | $1,324 |
| 54 | Plano, TX | 290,594 | 0 | $1,841 |
| 55 | Corpus Christi, TX | 317,419 | 17,535 | $1,292 |
| 56 | Lake Jackson, TX | 27,974 | 2,622 | $1,478 |
| 57 | Irving, TX | 256,492 | 1,411 | $1,619 |
| 58 | Terrell, TX | 20,366 | 110 | $1,232 |
| 59 | Prairie View, TX | 8,431 | 8,877 | $1,002 |
| 60 | Bedford, TX | 49,085 | 24 | $1,502 |
| 61 | Georgetown, TX | 85,999 | 1,440 | $1,795 |
| 62 | Fort Worth, TX | 963,194 | 13,132 | $1,509 |
| 63 | Farmers Branch, TX | 36,645 | 2,293 | $1,864 |
| 64 | Waxahachie, TX | 45,347 | 1,479 | $1,618 |
| 65 | Greenville, TX | 31,222 | 6 | $1,311 |
| 66 | Stafford, TX | 17,401 | 609 | $1,519 |
| 67 | Jacksonville, TX | 14,325 | 39 | $908 |
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