HOUSTON \u2013 With college-application deadlines fast approaching and tuition costs soaring, a new report is giving Texas students and parents a clearer look at which universities deliver the best value.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Texas named one of the hardest-working states in the US – in case you needed a reminder<\/a><\/p>\n Researchers at WalletHub<\/a> compared nearly 800 colleges and universities across the U.S., analyzing 30 key factors ranging from admission rates, graduation numbers, to student-faculty ratios and post-graduation salaries.<\/p>\n When it comes to Texas, three Houston-area schools landed in the top 10:<\/p>\n Other Texas standouts include the University of Texas at Austin (No. 2), Trinity University (No. 3), and Texas Christian University (No. 5).<\/p>\n SEE ALSO: Texas once again ranked No. 2 most diverse state in the US by WalletHub<\/a><\/p>\n According to WalletHub, Rice ranked first in the state for several key measures, including admission rate, diversity, graduation rate, and post-attendance median salary. <\/p>\n The university was also ranked 9th best in the U.S.<\/a> in WalletHub\u2019s study. That\u2019s because researchers examined its student-faculty ratio, underscoring its reputation for small-classroom learning and high academic engagement.<\/p>\n Texas A&M, which came in fourth, scored particularly well for its student-faculty ratio and strong diversity, while the University of Houston joined the top 10 thanks to steady improvements in graduation outcomes and career readiness.<\/p>\n WalletHub\u2019s rankings arrive just as high-school seniors face the Nov. 1 early-decision deadline, with annual college costs ranging anywhere from $24,000 to $58,000 per year when factoring in tuition, room, and board.<\/p>\n