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Best 5 Computer Science Schools in Texas in 2024

January 26, 2024 | Admin

Computer Science Schools in Texas

If you are considering computer science schools in Texas, then you should look at all the great schools that are offering impressive programs in computer science today. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you will generally work a full 40-hours or more per week. The future job outlook is positive and expected to grow at least 15% until 2029, which is much faster than an average occupation. Computer Scientists, especially those that are also Research Scientists, can expect to earn an annual wage of about $122,840. So, with the need for computer scientists and the level of pay they receive, this could be a very lucrative career for those that wish to pursue higher learning in computer and research science.

What is a Computer Scientist and What do They Do?

A computer scientist is an expert in computer science with at least a master’s and often a Ph.D. they use their skills and knowledge to solve complex problems. They work to make computer technology more efficient and provide resources to others. They are often researchers as well, often they are involved in cybersecurity and look for vulnerabilities in software products before hackers can cause damage to individuals and business organizations.

Top 5 Computer Science Schools in Texas

Rank School Location
1Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station, Texas
2Southern Methodist UniversityUniversity Park, Texas
3Baylor UniversityWaco, Texas
4Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, Texas
5Austin CollegeSherman, Texas

In most cases, computer scientists do not spend a lot of time designing applications for developing code. They spend years studying mathematics, computation theory, algorithms, and other data so they can find solutions to far more difficult issues.

Those that have successfully completed their masters or Ph.D. in computer science have a wide range of career choices available to them. Here are just some of the jobs where a degree in computer science is a positive asset:

  • Data and research and development (R&D) scientist
  • Software developer and tester
  • Web developer
  • Systems and business analyst
  • Network, cloud computing architects
  • Software developer and engineer
  • Engineering manager
  • User interface designer
  • Database administrator
  • Information security analyst
  • Computer science professor/instructor
  • Chief information security officer
  • Software quality assurance manager
  • Information technology specialist
  • Mobile application designer or developer
  • Computer scientist or computer science researcher
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning engineer

The door is wide open for those that choose to pursue a position in the computer industry. For those that have a strong educational background, specifically a master’s or Ph.D., you can take your career about as far as you want as thought leaders are continually tasked with finding more computer solutions for our ever-evolving dependence on technology and computing.

For more programs check out our online computer science programs.

Which School is Right for Texas-based Students

There are many reasons why students wish to study and complete their degrees in their home states. First of all, many out-of-state colleges add additional fees and elevate tuition for students that are from out-of-state. So many times, there is a financial component.

Also, in many cases, the best schools are close to home. So why should students look outside their state if the state they live in offers an exemplary education in their field of study.

Looking for the perfect school is often a very long, arduous task for many students. We have tried to make this process easier by doing some of the preliminary research for students, especially those looking for computer science degrees in the state of Texas.

Here are some of the top schools for computer science.

Best 5 Computer Science Schools in Texas

1

Texas A&M University

  • College Station, Texas
  • Graduation Rate: 80%

Texas A&M University’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) has been part of the school’s system for 35 years. The program awarded its’ first master’s degree in 1964, the year the computer science division was established. The school has a strong foundation in providing students a high-quality education and research institution. The school states its motto as developing “the human and intellectual resources required to need the future technological challenges in the field of computing.” Students will learn the following:

  • Object-oriented and generic programming technologies
  • Multimedia human-computer interaction
  • Computer graphics
  • Big data
  • Wireless and wired networks
  • Analyze data
  • Deep learning
  • Ability to use a computer for research, including biological and medical research

Texas A&M University was founded in 1876 in College Station and was the firsts public institution of higher learning in Texas. It was originally named the Agricultural and Mechanical Collee of Texas. In 1948, it became the flagship institution of the A&M University System. The student body at the school is the second largest in the U.S. The graduate school offers four different master’s degree programs and two Ph.D. programs.

School Overview

Cost of tuition and fees: Approximately $30,083
Student to faculty ratio: 19:1
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2

Southern Methodist University

  • University Park, Texas
  • Graduation Rate: 79%

Southern Methodist University Lyle School of Computer Science and Engineering offers students studying computer science and an exciting and challenging opportunity to learn more about computers, which continue to impact our lives more and more. Students have the opportunity to focus on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, software design, and more courses focused on computer learning.

Those choosing to focus on a degree as a computer scientist will learn:

  • How to create technology systems that can be used in medicine, communications, entertainment, manufacturing, various businesses, and in the sciences
  • Skills to explore algorithms
  • Decipher programming languages and operating systems
  • Pursue research-driven coursework
  • Skills focused on cybersecurity
  • Software engineering and application development

Southern Methodist University was founded in 1911 by the United Methodist Church. It is a private research university and claims former first lady Laura Bush and actress Kathy Bates as graduates. Today the school has 112,373 students on campus, including 6,827 undergraduates, and 5,546 postgraduates. The school offers three master’s degree programs, two dual-degree programs, and one Ph.D. program.

School Overview

Cost of tuition and fees: Approximately $47,256 including tuition and fees
Student to faculty ratio: 1.9:1
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3

Baylor University

  • Waco, Texas
  • Graduation Rate: 74%

Baylor University’s School of Engineering and Computer Science department helps students stay relevant in our ever-changing dependence on information technology. Computer scientists today, do far more than their predecessors, which were primarily computer programmers. Computer scientists perform a variety of different roles. From science exploration, medical research, engineering, and business analytics, we depend on computers more and more. The program offers a balance between practice and theory. Students will learn applications for computer science in many scenarios:

  • Ability to quickly create, consume, and analyze data 24/7.
  • Across the medical field, from record-keeping and billing to assistance with diagnoses and treatments
  • Applications in technology, agriculture, and business
  • Developing programs and programming languages
  • Hardware and software development

Baylor University was first chartered in 1845 as a private Baptist research university in Waco, TX. It is the oldest continually operating university in the state of Texas.

  • The faculty at Baylor is rich in resources and life-experiences like research, industrial, and consulting experience. The graduate school offers two master’s degrees and one Ph.D.

School Overview

Cost of tuition and fees: Approximately $39,270 for grad school tuition
Student to faculty ratio: 1.2:1
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4

Texas State University

  • San Marcos, Texas
  • Graduation Rate: 54%

Texas State University’s Department of Computer Science has a mission to advance the “knowledge of computer science and technology with education and research for the betterment of society.” The school computer science program offers educational, social, and cultural opportunities to both undergrad and graduate students. Texas State University offers a Master of Arts Degree in computer science, which is similar to a Master of Science degree except that it requires a minor.

These programs prepare graduate students for:

  •  Doctoral research
  • A career in education
  • Working on software engineering
  • Computer hardware
  • Work in microcomputer laboratories
  • Building a sustainable research program
  • Developing visibility for research conducted

Texas State University was established in 1899 and finally opened its doors in 1903 to 303 students. It has since gone on to become one of the largest universities in the Texas University System. It currently has over 38,500 students enrolled and offers ten different colleges and 50 schools. The computer Science Department offers more than 1,100 undergraduate majors in computer science, over 130 Master’s students, and 30 Ph.D. students.

School Overview

Cost of tuition and fees: Approximately $5,775.20 undergraduate school tuition and fees
Student to faculty ratio: 20:1
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5

Austin College

  • Sherman, Texas
  • Graduation Rate: 73%

Austin College’s Computer Science program prepares students for real-world learning scenarios. The school emphasizes on helping students learn and adapt to new ideas that can be put into use in the future. The schools’ goal is to help students develop their computer science skills so that they can excel in future studies and career goals. Throughout the coursework, students at Austin College will learn many different skills including:

  • Studies in mathematics
  • Design and logic
  • Engineering
  • Communication
  • Science
  • Programming

Austin College was originally chartered in November 1849 and is currently the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of Texas. It is a private, liberal college with ties to the Presbyterian Church. It has 1,300 students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate studies. Most classes have fewer than 25 students, encouraging close interactions between students and professors.

School Overview

Cost of tuition and fees: Approximately Senior or 4-year College Plan $5,415.04
Student to faculty ratio: 13:1
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How We Ranked the Schools

Careers in computer and research science continue to rise and with computers becoming more important to our day-to-day lives, we do not see any decrease in computer use or increased reliance on computing any time soon. That is why the job outlook is so positive for computer science.

Within the state of Texas, there are many great universities and schools to choose from. From large universities with huge student bodies to smaller colleges where there is more faculty to student ratio.

There are many criteria we look at when grading top schools in computer and research science. We look at the class size, cost of tuition and fees, student to instructor ratio, and graduation rate. These are all important criteria and should be considered before deciding on which school is best for the student.

We hope to keep all this information current, so if there is a top computer science school or department that has been omitted from this list, or if there are any errors, please contact us so the appropriate edits/corrections can be made.

Find the program that’s right for you

Whether you’re trying to start your career or make a big change, we can help you find the perfect school to help you reach your goals.

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