Top Colleges in Austin

Austin has approximately 30 colleges within its city limits. Currently there are almost 100,000 students enrolled in these colleges either on a full-time or part-time basis.

Open Admissions

Not all college students are seeking or wanting to enter into a degree or bachelor's program. Instead these students are seeking a certificate in some sort of trade that will enable them to obtain a job upon completion of their post-secondary education.

Academy of Cosmetology

A private for-profit institution, where the primary field of study includes beauty and cosmetology.

  • Student Body:
    • At any given time there are approximately 50-60 students enrolled
    • Majority of students are in their 40's and sometimes even into their 50's
  • Academics:
    • Offers students flexible schedules and classes to allow students to work and attend school at the same time.
  • Housing and Meals:
    • Campus housing and meal plans are not provided
    • But, the school does help students obtain housing information
  • Financial Assistance:

Austin Community College District

A regional college with seven campuses located throughout the city.

  • Academics:
    • Almost 200 degree and certificate programs are available, from music and photography, to real estate and even construction management.
  • Housing and Meals:
    • Does not offer on-campus housing or a meal plan
  • Financial Assistance:

Selective Admissions

These schools review the applicants and only select the ones that they think will have the best chance of success at the school. There are a number of things that need to be taken into consideration when selecting students, the first being scores on the SATs.  Students scoring well on these exams have a higher chance of getting selected to attend these types of school over someone who does not.

Concordia University Texas

A private co-educational institution with a number of satellite campuses.

  • Academics:
    • Offers courses in liberal arts and sciences, leading to either an undergraduate or graduate degree
  • Student Body:
    • A large number of the students enrolled are 40 years of age or older
  • Housing and Meals:
    • On-campus housing is available to 270 of the over 1,500 full-time students
    • Meal plan includes 20 meals per week

Huston-Tillotson University

A private not-for-profit school with a selective admission policy. Founded in 1881, this historically black co-educational college once operated as two colleges. In 1952 the two merged to form the present-day college.

  • Academics:
    • Degree programs range from business administration to the humanities and fine arts
  • Housing and Meals:
    • Has student dorms and apartments and a meal plan
    • Freshman enrolled in this college are required to live on campus for the first full year
  • Financial Assistance:
  • Sports:
    • Participates in various basketball, track and soccer sporting events

The University of Texas at Austin

Ranked one of the best in Texas, UT Austin is a major research school. Founded in 1883, it has been called the flagship institution of the University of Texas System.

  • Academics:
    • More than 100 undergraduate and over 150 graduate programs available
  • Student Body:
    • Highly competitive, in recent years, only half of the people who applied were actually admitted
    • In 2008; UT had over 50,000 students registered for classes
  • Housing and Meals:
    • On-campus housing in available to a maximum of 8,000 full-time students
    • Does not offer a weekly meal plan
  • Sports:
    • Many sports teams available at UT
    • Participates in the Big Twelve Conference in football, basketball, baseball and track