Top 3 Cloud Computing Programs in Texas 2025
University of Texas at Austin
Leading CS program with specialized cloud computing track, AWS Academy membership, and direct Austin tech hub connections
Rice University
Elite private program with 6:1 student-faculty ratio, extensive research opportunities, and Houston energy sector cloud partnerships
Texas A&M University
Strong engineering foundation with cloud infrastructure specialization and partnerships with Dell, IBM, and Oracle
- 1.Texas has 35+ cloud computing and related IT programs across UT System, Texas State universities, and private institutions (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.University of Texas at Austin ranks #1 in Texas with AWS Academy partnership and direct Austin tech ecosystem access
- 3.Texas cloud engineers earn median $118,340 annually—13% above national median with no state income tax advantage (BLS Texas 2024)
- 4.Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston provide 89,000+ cloud and systems administrator jobs—4th most of any state
- 5.Major employers include Dell Technologies, Oracle, IBM, AT&T, and rapidly growing cloud startups in Austin tech corridor
Cloud Computing Education Landscape in Texas
Texas offers exceptional opportunities for cloud computing education, with programs ranging from world-class research universities to practical, career-focused institutions. The state's strong technology sector, anchored by Austin's Silicon Hills and major corporate presences in Dallas and Houston, provides abundant internship and career opportunities for cloud computing graduates.
Texas stands out for its combination of academic quality and affordability. Public universities offer in-state tuition rates significantly below national averages, while the lack of state income tax means higher take-home pay for graduates. Major tech companies like Dell, Oracle, and IBM have significant operations in Texas, creating direct pipelines from local programs to high-paying cloud engineering roles.
For broader program comparisons, see our national cloud computing rankings. Students considering online options should review our best online cloud computing degrees. Career-focused students should explore our DevOps engineer salary guide for Texas-specific compensation data and growth projections.
Based on 20 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS Texas May 2024, AWS Education Partners
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023 data
Class size and accessibility to faculty
Texas-specific salaries and job placement rates
Cloud provider partnerships and certification programs
Texas Cloud Computing Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Texas at Austin | Austin | Public | $11,678 | 87% | 17:1 | 94.2 |
| 2 | Rice University | Houston | Private | $54,960 | 94% | 6:1 | 92.8 |
| 3 | Texas A&M University | College Station | Public | $12,413 | 82% | 20:1 | 90.5 |
| 4 | University of Texas at Dallas | Richardson | Public | $14,564 | 79% | 24:1 | 88.9 |
| 5 | Southern Methodist University | Dallas | Private | $61,980 | 85% | 11:1 | 87.3 |
| 6 | University of Houston | Houston | Public | $12,518 | 65% | 22:1 | 85.7 |
| 7 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock | Public | $12,284 | 68% | 20:1 | 84.1 |
| 8 | University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington | Public | $11,040 | 58% | 26:1 | 82.6 |
| 9 | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth | Private | $53,750 | 82% | 13:1 | 81.8 |
| 10 | University of Texas at San Antonio | San Antonio | Public | $10,950 | 52% | 25:1 | 79.4 |
| 11 | Texas State University | San Marcos | Public | $12,082 | 57% | 22:1 | 78.2 |
| 12 | Baylor University | Waco | Private | $50,232 | 78% | 15:1 | 76.9 |
| 13 | Texas A&M University-Commerce | Commerce | Public | $10,962 | 45% | 18:1 | 75.1 |
| 14 | University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler | Public | $11,166 | 48% | 19:1 | 73.8 |
| 15 | Sam Houston State University | Huntsville | Public | $11,550 | 55% | 21:1 | 72.5 |
| 16 | Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi | Public | $12,252 | 41% | 20:1 | 70.9 |
| 17 | University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso | Public | $9,468 | 44% | 22:1 | 69.6 |
| 18 | Lamar University | Beaumont | Public | $10,990 | 35% | 17:1 | 67.2 |
| 19 | Texas A&M International University | Laredo | Public | $9,712 | 38% | 15:1 | 65.8 |
| 20 | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg | Public | $8,738 | 42% | 23:1 | 64.1 |
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • University
Program Highlights
- • 87% graduation rate among top public cloud computing programs
- • Average starting salary of $95,000 for cloud computing graduates
- • 95% job placement rate within 6 months of graduation
- • Access to $2.5 billion Dell Medical School cloud infrastructure for research
Program Strengths
- AWS Academy membership providing official cloud curriculum and certification preparation
- Direct industry connections with Dell, IBM, Oracle, and Austin-based cloud startups
- Research opportunities in distributed systems, cloud security, and edge computing
- Internship pipeline to major tech companies with Austin operations
- Strong alumni network in cloud engineering roles across Texas and Silicon Valley
Why Ranked #1
UT Austin leads Texas cloud computing education through its comprehensive Computer Science program with specialized cloud tracks, AWS Academy partnership, and unmatched access to Austin's thriving tech ecosystem including major cloud providers and startups.
Student Reviews
"The AWS Academy curriculum gave me hands-on experience with real enterprise cloud architectures. Austin's tech scene provided amazing internship opportunities that directly led to my full-time offer."
— 2024 Graduate, Cloud Engineer at Oracle
"Faculty connections to local industry made all the difference. My professor's research collaboration with Dell led to my internship and eventual job offer there."
— Current Senior, Cloud Architecture Track
Rice University
Houston, TX • University
Program Highlights
- • 94% graduation rate, highest among Texas private universities
- • Average starting salary of $105,000 in cloud engineering roles
- • Extensive undergraduate research opportunities with 85% participation
- • Strong alumni network in FAANG companies and major consulting firms
Program Strengths
- 6:1 student-faculty ratio ensuring personalized attention and mentorship
- Research collaborations with energy companies on cloud-based data analytics
- Strong theoretical foundation in distributed systems and cloud architecture
- Partnerships with Microsoft Azure for energy sector cloud solutions
- Access to Houston's growing fintech and healthtech cloud computing markets
Why Ranked #2
Rice offers an elite computer science education with small class sizes, exceptional research opportunities, and strong connections to Houston's energy sector, which increasingly relies on cloud infrastructure for operations and data analytics.
Student Reviews
"The small program size meant I worked directly with professors on cutting-edge cloud research. The Houston energy connections opened doors to unique cloud architecture roles."
— 2024 Graduate, Cloud Solutions Architect at ExxonMobil
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX • University
Program Highlights
- • 82% graduation rate with strong job placement in Texas tech corridor
- • Average starting salary of $88,000 for cloud and systems graduates
- • Large program with diverse specialization options
- • Strong corporate partnerships for internships and full-time placement
Program Strengths
- Strong engineering foundation supporting cloud infrastructure understanding
- Partnerships with Dell Technologies, IBM, and Oracle for internships and research
- Growing cloud computing curriculum within computer science and engineering programs
- Active student organizations focused on cloud technologies and DevOps
- Extensive alumni network in Texas technology companies
Why Ranked #3
Texas A&M provides solid engineering fundamentals with growing cloud computing specializations, strong industry partnerships with major technology companies, and excellent value for a comprehensive technical education.
Student Reviews
"The engineering mindset they instill really helps with cloud infrastructure work. The IBM partnership program gave me direct access to enterprise cloud platforms during school."
— 2023 Graduate, DevOps Engineer at Dell Technologies
Texas University Systems and Cloud Computing Education
Texas offers cloud computing education through several major university systems, each with distinct strengths and characteristics:
The University of Texas System provides the state's flagship programs, with UT Austin leading in research and industry connections, UT Dallas focusing on practical applications, and regional campuses like UT San Antonio and UT Arlington offering growing programs with strong local industry ties. The system benefits from significant state funding and research infrastructure.
The Texas A&M University System emphasizes engineering approaches to cloud computing, with the flagship College Station campus offering comprehensive computer science and engineering programs, while regional campuses provide more specialized and affordable options for students seeking focused technical training.
Private institutions like Rice University and SMU provide smaller, more personalized programs with extensive research opportunities and strong alumni networks in technology sectors. These programs often have higher costs but offer significant financial aid and exceptional career outcomes.
Students interested in comparing programs should also consider cloud computing bootcamps for intensive, practical training, or explore cloud certifications as complementary credentials to degree programs.
Career Paths
Cloud Solutions Architect
SOC 15-1299Design and implement enterprise cloud infrastructure solutions using AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms for Texas-based companies across energy, finance, and technology sectors.
DevOps Engineer
SOC 15-1252Automate deployment pipelines, manage cloud infrastructure, and ensure reliable software delivery for Austin startups and major corporations with Texas operations.
Cloud Security Specialist
SOC 15-1212Implement security controls, monitor cloud environments, and ensure compliance for Texas organizations handling sensitive data in healthcare, energy, and financial sectors.
Site Reliability Engineer
SOC 15-1252Maintain high-availability cloud systems, optimize performance, and implement monitoring solutions for Texas technology companies and enterprise organizations.
Cloud Data Engineer
SOC 15-1243Build and maintain data pipelines, implement cloud-based analytics solutions, and support business intelligence initiatives for Texas companies across multiple industries.
Cloud Computing Programs in Other States
California
Washington
Virginia
Georgia
Florida
New York
| Factor | In-State Public | Out-of-State Public | Private Universities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition | $11,500 | $28,400 | $54,200 |
| Class Sizes | 20-25 students | 20-25 students | 12-18 students |
| Research Opportunities | Limited undergrad | Limited undergrad | Extensive |
| Industry Connections | Strong regional | Strong regional | National network |
| Financial Aid | State grants available | Limited aid | Generous merit aid |
| Career Services | Basic placement | Basic placement | Premium services |
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to major cloud providers (AWS, Microsoft, Oracle) with Texas operations
- No state income tax advantage increasing take-home pay significantly
- Lower cost of living compared to California and New York tech hubs
- Growing startup ecosystem in Austin with cloud infrastructure opportunities
- Strong connections to energy sector cloud computing applications
- Affordable in-state tuition at excellent public universities
- Access to the largest concentration of cloud companies (California)
- Established cloud computing academic programs (Washington, Virginia)
- Proximity to major cloud provider headquarters (Seattle, Silicon Valley)
- More mature tech startup ecosystems (California, New York)
- Specialized cloud research opportunities (top-tier research universities)
- International tech company exposure (coastal technology hubs)
Frequently Asked Questions About Cloud Computing Programs in Texas
Related Cloud Computing Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Official graduation rates, enrollment, and tuition data for all accredited institutions
Texas-specific salary data for computer and IT occupations
University partnerships and cloud curriculum validation
State-specific higher education data and program accreditation information
Taylor Rupe
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