10 Best Colleges and Universities Near New Braunfels, TX

New Braunfels is a small city nestled in the Texas Hill Country almost halfway between the larger urban areas of Austin and San Antonio.

The city has a fascinating history and culture, much of which still permeates the area.

Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, from the Hesse region of what is now Germany, established a colony along the Guadalupe River in 1845.

The community's German heritage is evident through its place names, its foods, and its festivals.

Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas, is a favorite musical venue, and you can indulge in German pastries at Naegelin's Bakery or drink at Krause's Biergarten and Caf�.

In addition to the food, beauty, and outdoor adventures that await you in the Hill Country area, you'll find your choice of many universities and colleges near New Braunfels, TX, as well.

Featured Colleges in or near New Braunfels, TX

While New Braunfels is not home to its university, it is centrally located within an hour of several major state universities and a few private universities and colleges near New Braunfels, TX, as well.

1. The Art Institute of San Antonio

The private, for-profit Art Institute of San Antonio awards certificate, associate, and bachelor's degrees on its non-residential campus, with a small population of 180 undergrads, of which half are Latino, a quarter white, and another 17% African American.

Half are of nontraditional age, and all are from Texas. All classes are face-to-face.

The retention rate for first-year students is an exceptionally low 14%, which signals the need to look more closely at why students are not returning. Similarly, the graduation rate is only 18%.

The more popular fields for bachelor's degrees have been intermedia/multimedia; game and interactive media design; and restaurant, culinary, and catering management.

Ninety percent of students receive an average award of $7,264 in aid toward the annual tuition of $20,794.

2. Saint Mary's University

Offering degrees from bachelor's through doctoral levels, this private nonprofit Catholic college serves 2,000 undergraduates on its residential San Antonio campus, with an admirable student-faculty ratio of 11:1.

The fields with the largest numbers of awarded degrees are business, management, marketing, and related disciplines; biology; social sciences; and engineering.

The first-year retention rate is 68%, while the graduation rate is a solid 56%. All classes are taught face-to-face.

The student population at St. Mary's is 60% Latino, 12% white, 13% unknown, and 7% international.

While the tuition sticker price is $35,226 per year, 100% of St. Mary's students receive financial aid that averages $25,439 per year.

3. Saint Philip's College

Similar to San Antonio College, this public non-residential college in San Antonio provides the first two years of a college education (and associate degrees), serving 12,653 students with an 18:1 student-faculty ratio. One-third of students are of nontraditional age.

32% of students enroll exclusively in online courses. St. Philip's College has a 41% retention rate and a 32% graduation rate.

The three-tiered annual tuition is $3262 (in-district), $6,742 (in-state), and $14,272 (out-of-state); 83% of students receive grants and scholarships averaging $4,746.

Demographics are 65% Latino, 17% white, and 9% African American.

4. San Antonio College

This four-year public, non-residential college serves 18,200 students per year and provides associate (and some bachelor's) degrees.

The 24:1 student-faculty ratio is unusually high, which might be a concern.

Enrollment is two-thirds Latino, and a third are nontraditional age (over 24). 36% of students are exclusively taking online courses.

San Antonio College has a 46% retention rate, which is not too bad, but a low graduation rate of 26%.

77% of students receive financial aid that averages $4,705 per year, which offsets the staggered tuition of $3262 (in-district), $6,742 (in-state), and $14,272 (out-of-state).

5. Texas Lutheran University

In Sequin, close to New Braunfels, you'll find Texas Lutheran University.

This private, nonprofit residential college offers primarily bachelor's degrees, with 1,329 students and an excellent 12:1 student-faculty ratio.

It is affiliated with the American Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Tuition and fees are $33,920 per year, although 100% of students receive grants or scholarships that average $23,729.

Student demographics are 42% Latino, 41% white, and 10% African American, while the majority of students are traditional age (24 or under) and from Texas.

The school has a healthy 64% first-year retention rate and a graduation rate of 54%.

The largest number of recent graduates were nursing students, with other clusters in business, biology, exercise science & kinesiology, education, psychology, theatre arts, and social sciences.

6. Texas State University

Just 20 minutes north of New Braunfels in San Marcos, Texas State University has a student population of 40,000. The ethnic demographics are 40% white, 42% Latino, and 9% African American.

Annual tuition and fees are $11,135 for Texas residents and $22,559 for nonresidents.

83% of students receive financial aid averaging $11,791 per student. Retention and graduation rates are a strong 80% and 56%, respectively.

The most popular degree fields are in the business disciplines, biology, communication (including public relations and advertising), computer science, education, engineering, criminal justice, psychology, and exercise science/kinesiology

7. Trinity University

Less than 30 miles from New Braunfels in San Antonio's Trinity University, a private nonprofit that serves primarily undergraduates, with a student population of 2,600 and an outstanding student-faculty ratio of 9:1. The school has a residential campus.

Primary fields in which students earn degrees are in business, biology, and the social sciences, although a wide range of liberal arts degrees are available.

Student satisfaction seems extremely high, with a phenomenal 91% first-year retention rate and 76% graduation rate.

Demographics show 54% white, 24% Latino, 8% Asian, 4% African American, and 5% international students, nearly all of traditional college age. The high annual tuition of $49,264 is partially offset by an average student award of $33,614 in grants or scholarships.

8. University of the Incarnate Word

With its home in San Antonio, the Roman Catholic University of the Incarnate Word is a private, nonprofit school serving 4,724 undergraduates on a residential campus.

The university offers degree programs from the associate to doctoral level, with a 13:1 undergrad student-faculty ratio.

The majority of degrees awarded are in business fields and the healthcare professions, although the university offers a full range of liberal arts and science programs.

The $34,400 annual tuition is offset by 100% of students receiving scholarship and grant aid averaging $24,800.

Enrollment data show a student population that is two-thirds Latino, one-quarter nontraditional (age 25 and over), and 99% in-state. 16% are enrolled exclusively in online courses.

The school has a strong 70% retention rate and 53% graduation rate.

9. The University of Texas at Austin

With a student body of more than 52,000 students (including graduate schools), UT-Austin is by far the dominant university of the Texas Hill Country.

With world-class faculty as your professors, you can major in almost any academic subject at UT.

The international UT community boasts a lot of racial and ethnic diversity, although the African American population is underrepresented (4.5%).

Annual tuition and fees are $11,700 for Texas residents and $41,000 for nonresidents.

89% of first-year students receive financial aid, at an average award of $8,321. UT-Austin has an extraordinarily high retention rate of 95% and a stunning graduation rate of 88%.

10. The University of Texas at San Antonio

This large university, a residential branch campus of the state university system, serves 29,686 undergraduate students each year (although it also offers master's and doctoral degrees).

The student-faculty ratio, however, is an overstretched 24:1.

Popular majors are architecture, biological and biomedical sciences, business & related fields, communication, computer sciences, education, engineering, English language & literature, health professions, criminal justice, exercise science & kinesiology, psychology, and social sciences.

Student demographics are nearly two-thirds Latino, 20% white, 8% African American, and 6% Asian. 16% of students exclusively take online classes.

80% of students continue from first to second year, and the graduation rate is 54%.

What Is the Biggest School Near New Braunfels, TX?

The largest school in the Austin area is The University of Texas at Austin, followed closely by Texas State University in San Marcos and then The University of Texas at San Antonio.

How To Choose the Right College Near New Braunfels, TX

When you're trying to choose the right college near New Braunfels, TX, it comes down to which school you find most appealing--at several levels.

If you're looking for a residential campus, you'll probably find beautiful campuses that lure you in.

However, if you're seeking to study a particular subject, you'll look closely at the major degree programs or you might want to find a school with online bachelor's degree programs.

Paying for Your Degree Near New Braunfels, TX

The vast majority of students receive significant financial aid at almost every university, so never turn away because of a school's 'sticker price.'

Be sure to apply for financial aid using the FAFSA form.

Start Your Degree Near New Braunfels, TX, Today

You'll find a variety of universities and colleges near New Braunfels, TX, with many opportunities for personal growth, learning, and an enjoyable lifestyle.