Texas

Texas Colleges and Universities

Colleges and universities in Texas offer two and/or four-year degrees in career fields and subjects like biology, chemistry, elementary education, cultural studies, education leadership, business administration, employment law, environmental engineering, mathematics and history. Bordered by Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas, the “Lone Star State” is known for rodeos, barbeque, tourism, oil, cattle farming, natural gas, mining and rugged terrain.  Temperatures in Texas can reach extreme levels during summer months.

Public and private accredited postsecondary schools in Texas include:

• University of Texas
• Texas A&M University
• University of Houston
• University of North Texas
• West Texas A&M University
• Lamar University
• Texas Tech University
• Midwestern State University
• Texas Southern University
• Texas Woman’s University
• Amarillo College
• Alvin Community College
• Austin Community College
• Brookhaven College
• El Paso Community College
• Jacksonville College
• Lone Star College
• Northeast Texas Community College
• Trinity Valley Community College
• Baylor University
• Dallas Christian College
• Howard Payne University
• Rice University
• Texas Wesleyan University
• University of St. Thomas
• Southwestern Christian College
• Texas Baptist College
• Western Texas College
• Our Lady of the Lake University

About Texas and Its Colleges and Universities

Texas is the 28th state, having been admitted to the statehood on December 29, 1845.  Austin is the capital city of Texas, a state that bears the nickname “Lone Star State.” The state flower is the Blue Bonnet.  Famous Texans who were either born or lived in the state and/or who attended accredited colleges and universities in Texas include President Dwight Eisenhower; President Lyndon Johnson; dancer, Alvin Ailey; country singer, Gene Autry; actress, Joan Crawford; actor, Larry Hagman; businessman, Howard Hughes; news journalist, Dan Rather; professional athlete, Babe Ruth Didrikson; musician, Buddy Holly and boxer, Jack Johnson.

For-profit colleges and universities in Texas also offer two and/or four-year degrees.  Many of these postsecondary schools focus on distance learning classes and include:

• Everest Institute
• Westwood College
• Strayer University
• Walden University
• South University
• University of Phoenix

Texas College Students Prepare to Enter the Workforce

In addition to exploring the Texas Hill Country, visiting amusement parks in cities like San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth, college and university students can relax from coursework by visiting Texas beaches, particularly those in Galveston, places like the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, Armand Bayou Nature Center, Forbidden Gardens, Institute of Texas Cultures, Sea World, Six Flags and the Space Center in Houston.  University and college students can also go fishing, camping or explore the state’s old Western landmarks.  Collegiate and professional sports teams also offer athletic competitions that students can attend.  Some popular collegiate and professional athletic squads in Texas are:

• University of Texas Longhorns
• University of Houston Cougars
• Baylor University Bears
• Midwestern State University Mustangs
• University of Texas A&M Aggies
• Texas Wesleyan University Rams
• Dallas Cowboys (Pro football team)
• Dallas Mavericks (Men’s pro basketball team)
• Dallas Stars (Pro hockey team)
• Houston Astros (Pro baseball team)
• Houston Comets (Women’s pro basketball team)
• San Antonio Spurs (Men’s pro basketball team)
• Texas Rangers (Pro baseball team)
• Dallas Stars (Pro hockey team)
• Dallas Burn (Pro soccer team)
• Houston Rockets (Men’s pro basketball team)
• Houston Thunder Bears (Indoor arena football team)

Petroleum, energy and travel are three major industries several employers operate businesses in throughout Texas.  These and other top employers in the state that may higher college and university students after they complete their undergraduate and/or graduate degrees at areas schools include:

• Atmos Energy Corporation
• Baker Hughes Incorporated
• Centerpoint Energy
• Exxon Mobile Corporation
• Key Energy Services Incorporated
• Dow Chemical Company Incorporated
• Valero Energy Corporation
• BP America
• BJ Services Company
• Chevron USA Incorporated
• American Airlines Incorporated
• Marriot Hotels
• Southwest Airlines Company
• Starwood Hotels
• Cinemark Holdings
• Continental Airlines Incorporated
• ATT Communications
• Boeing Company
• Dell Computer Corporation
• IBM
• Lockheed-Martin Corporation
• Texas Instruments Incorporated
• Verizon Communications
• Hewlett-Packard

In Texas, many employers partner with the state’s accredited colleges and universities to offer career and job fairs to undergraduate and graduate college students.  At these job and career fairs employers may meet with university and college students, interview them briefly to learn about their career aspirations and goals and inform students on where to send their resumes at companies where they work so their educational and working histories can be reviewed further.  College and university students who participate in internships and work/study programs and who major and/or minor in fields that complement Texas’ industries may position themselves to get employed before or soon after they graduate with a degree.  Types of fields Texas college students may consider majoring in include chemical engineering, history, tourism, farming management, medicine, nursing, education, business management, journalism, creative arts or chemistry.