Texas has one of the largest education systems in the United States, including major public universities, private universities, community colleges, independent school districts, and extensive library networks.
## Major universities and colleges - **The University of Texas at Austin** — flagship public research university in the state capital. - **Texas A&M University** — major public research institution in College Station with strong engineering and agricultural programs. - **University of Houston** — large public research university in Houston. - **Texas Tech University** — major public university in Lubbock. - **Rice University** — highly regarded private research university in Houston. - **Baylor University** — prominent private university in Waco. - **The University of North Texas** — major public university in Denton. - **Texas State University** — large public university in San Marcos.
## Additional notable institutions - **University of Texas at Dallas** - **University of Texas at Arlington** - **University of Texas at San Antonio** - **University of Texas Rio Grande Valley** - **Texas Southern University** - **Prairie View A&M University** - **Southern Methodist University** - **Texas Christian University**
## Community colleges Texas has a large community college sector, including systems such as: - **Houston Community College** - **Dallas College** - **Austin Community College** - **Alamo Colleges District** - **Tarrant County College**
## K-12 education Public education is delivered through numerous independent school districts, among the largest of which include: - **Houston Independent School District** - **Dallas Independent School District** - **Austin Independent School District** - **Fort Worth Independent School District** - **San Antonio Independent School District**
## Libraries and research resources - **Texas State Library and Archives Commission** - Major academic libraries at UT Austin, Texas A&M, Rice, and other universities - Extensive municipal and county public library systems in major cities
Texas education is shaped by rapid enrollment growth in many regions, strong research universities, large rural-school networks, bilingual education needs, and continuing debates over school finance, standards, and access.