Playing Division 1 (D1) sports is a big deal. It requires a lot of time, training, and commitment. Many high school athletes dream of getting recruited by a D1 college, and Texas has some of the best options available. With 26 D1 colleges in Texas, athletes have a wide range of schools to choose from, each offering various sports programs and unique campus experiences. Texas is home to 26 D1 colleges. These schools offer a wide range of sports including football, basketball, baseball, and more. For example, Baylor University offers competitive women’s gymnastics through its acrobatics & tumbling program. D1 programs in Texas cover a range of sports including football, basketball, baseball, softball, and more. Some unique offerings include Baylor University’s D1 acrobatics & tumbling team for women’s gymnastics. Here are the 26 D1 Colleges in Texas 2024. Best D1 Colleges listing includes details like GPA requirements, median SAT and ACT scores, acceptance rates, admission requirements, and salary information. We also cover professional outcomes and academic highlights for each college.
25 D1 Colleges in Texas
Here’s a closer look at each D1 college in Texas, the sports they offer, and some key stats:
1. University of Texas at Austin
GPA Requirement: 3.8
Median SAT: 1400
Median ACT: 31
Acceptance Rate: 32%
Admission Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $60,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top companies in Texas and beyond. Many become engineers, business leaders, or doctors.
Academic Highlights: UT Austin offers many programs, from engineering to arts. It is known for research and strong sports teams.
2. Texas A&M University
GPA Requirement: 3.7
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 57%
Admission Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $58,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates often work in engineering, business, and science. Many find jobs in top Texas companies.
Academic Highlights: Texas A&M offers a wide range of programs. It has strong engineering and business schools.
3. Baylor University
GPA Requirement: 3.6
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 45%
Admission Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $55,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in health, business, and education. Baylor has a strong network of alumni.
Academic Highlights: Baylor offers programs in health, business, and arts. It is known for its medical and law schools.
4. Texas Tech University
GPA Requirement: 3.5
Median SAT: 1250
Median ACT: 27
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $52,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates find jobs in business, engineering, and health. Many stay in Texas after graduation.
Academic Highlights: Texas Tech offers strong programs in engineering and business. It has a large, active student body.
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5. University of Houston
GPA Requirement: 3.4
Median SAT: 1200
Median ACT: 26
Acceptance Rate: 62%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $50,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in oil and gas, business, and health. Houston is a major city with many job opportunities.
Academic Highlights: UH offers strong programs in engineering, business, and health. It has many partnerships with local companies.
6. Southern Methodist University
GPA Requirement: 3.7
Median SAT: 1350
Median ACT: 30
Acceptance Rate: 49%
Admission Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $60,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in business, law, and engineering. Many find jobs in Dallas, a major business hub.
Academic Highlights: SMU offers strong programs in business and law. It has a beautiful campus and active student life.
7. Texas Christian University
GPA Requirement: 3.6
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 47%
Admission Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $55,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in health, business, and education. TCU has a strong network of alumni.
Academic Highlights: TCU offers programs in health, business, and arts. It is known for its friendly campus and strong sports teams.
8. University of North Texas
GPA Requirement: 3.3
Median SAT: 1150
Median ACT: 24
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $48,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates find jobs in education, business, and arts. Many stay in Texas after graduation.
Academic Highlights: UNT offers strong programs in music, business, and education. It has a large, diverse student body.
9. University of Texas at San Antonio
GPA Requirement: 3.2
Median SAT: 1120
Median ACT: 23
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $47,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in business, health, and technology. San Antonio is a growing city with many opportunities.
Academic Highlights: UTSA offers programs in engineering, business, and health. It has a large, vibrant campus.
10. University of Texas at Arlington
GPA Requirement: 3.2
Median SAT: 1100
Median ACT: 22
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $46,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates find jobs in engineering, business, and health. Arlington is close to Dallas, a major job hub.
Academic Highlights: UTA offers strong programs in engineering and business. It has many research opportunities.
11. Texas State University
GPA Requirement: 3.2
Median SAT: 1100
Median ACT: 22
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $45,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in business, education, and health. Many stay in Texas after graduation.
Academic Highlights: Texas State offers strong programs in business and education. It has a large, active student body.
12. University of Texas at El Paso
GPA Requirement: 3.1
Median SAT: 1050
Median ACT: 21
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $44,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates find jobs in business, engineering, and health. El Paso is a growing city with many opportunities.
Academic Highlights: UTEP offers strong programs in engineering and health. It has a diverse student body and beautiful campus.
13. Rice University
GPA Requirement: 3.9
Median SAT: 1500
Median ACT: 34
Acceptance Rate: 11%
Admission Requirements: Excellent GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $65,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in business, science, and technology. Rice has a strong network of successful alumni.
Academic Highlights: Rice offers top programs in engineering, business, and science. It is known for its research and small class sizes.
14. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
GPA Requirement: 3.2
Median SAT: 1100
Median ACT: 22
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $45,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in business, health, and education. The Rio Grande Valley is a growing region with many opportunities.
Academic Highlights: UTRGV offers programs in health, business, and education. It has a large, diverse student body.
15. Sam Houston State University
GPA Requirement: 3.2
Median SAT: 1100
Median ACT: 22
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $45,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates find jobs in criminal justice, business, and education. SHSU has a strong network of alumni.
Academic Highlights: Sam Houston State offers strong programs in criminal justice and business. It has a large, active campus.
16. Stephen F. Austin State University
GPA Requirement: 3.1
Median SAT: 1050
Median ACT: 21
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $44,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in education, business, and health. Many stay in Texas after graduation.
Academic Highlights: SFA offers strong programs in education and business. It has a friendly campus and supportive faculty.
17. Prairie View A&M University
GPA Requirement: 3.2
Median SAT: 1100
Median ACT: 22
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $45,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in engineering, business, and health. Prairie View has a strong network of alumni.
Academic Highlights: PVAMU offers strong programs in engineering and health. It has a large, diverse student body.
18. Lamar University
GPA Requirement: 3.2
Median SAT: 1100
Median ACT: 22
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $45,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates find jobs in engineering, business, and health. Lamar has a strong network of alumni.
Academic Highlights: Lamar offers strong programs in engineering and business. It has a large, active campus.
19. Abilene Christian University
GPA Requirement: 3.6
Median SAT: 1300
Median ACT: 28
Acceptance Rate: 61%
Admission Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $55,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in business, education, and health. ACU has a strong network of alumni.
Academic Highlights: ACU offers strong programs in business and education. It has a friendly campus and supportive faculty.
20. Texas Southern University
GPA Requirement: 3.1
Median SAT: 1050
Median ACT: 21
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $44,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in business, health, and education. TSU has a strong network of alumni.
Academic Highlights: Texas Southern offers strong programs in business and health. It has a large, diverse student body.
21. Texas Wesleyan University
GPA Requirement: 3.2
Median SAT: 1100
Median ACT: 22
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $45,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in business, education, and health. Texas Wesleyan has a strong network of alumni.
Academic Highlights: Texas Wesleyan offers strong programs in business and education. It has a friendly campus and supportive faculty.
22. University of the Incarnate Word
GPA Requirement: 3.4
Median SAT: 1150
Median ACT: 24
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $48,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in health, business, and education. UIW has a strong network of alumni.
Academic Highlights: UIW offers strong programs in health and business. It has a beautiful campus and friendly faculty.
23. Houston Baptist University
GPA Requirement: 3.4
Median SAT: 1150
Median ACT: 24
Acceptance Rate: 36%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $48,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in business, health, and education. HBU has a strong network of alumni.
Academic Highlights: Houston Baptist offers strong programs in business and health. It has a friendly campus and supportive faculty.
24. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
GPA Requirement: 3.2
Median SAT: 1100
Median ACT: 22
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $45,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in business, health, and education. TAMU-CC has a strong network of alumni.
Academic Highlights: TAMU-CC offers strong programs in business and health. It has a beautiful campus by the sea.
26. Texas A&M University-Commerce
GPA Requirement: 3.2
Median SAT: 1100
Median ACT: 22
Acceptance Rate: 51%
Admission Requirements: Good GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendations.
Salary: Average starting salary is $45,000.
Professional Outcomes: Graduates find jobs in business, health, and education. TAMU-Commerce has a strong network of alumni.
Academic Highlights: TAMU-Commerce offers strong programs in business and education. It has a friendly campus and supportive faculty.
D1 Schools in Texas – Conclusion
Texas boasts a robust presence in Division 1 sports, with 26 colleges offering diverse athletic programs. Popular sports include football and basketball, with significant achievements like Baylor University’s 2021 NCAA basketball championship. These schools, ranging from large universities like Texas A&M and the University of Texas to smaller institutions like Abilene Christian University, provide extensive opportunities for student-athletes across various disciplines. The strong sports culture in Texas enhances community spirit and offers numerous avenues for athletes to excel.