Texas has few boarding schools relative to its population, led by TMI Episcopal in San Antonio and San Marcos Academy. Boarding tuition runs $35,000–$52,000 per year in 2026 — among the lowest in the US. The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science at the University of North Texas offers a tuition-free residential alternative for advanced state residents.
Key facts about Texas boarding schools
- Texas has fewer boarding schools than states with a fraction of its population — it is a day school market.
- Boarding tuition runs $35,000–$52,000 per year, among the lowest in the country.
- TMI Episcopal in San Antonio combines Episcopal affiliation with an optional JROTC corps.
- TAMS at the University of North Texas is tuition-free for Texas residents and awards university credit.
- Many Texas families board out of state; in-state options are concentrated in the San Antonio–Austin corridor.
Which are the top boarding schools in Texas?
| School | Town | Type | Boarding tuition | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMI Episcopal | San Antonio | Coed, 6–12 (Episcopal) | ~$48,000 | Optional JROTC corps of cadets |
| San Marcos Academy | San Marcos | Coed, 6–12 (Baptist) | ~$38,000 | Lowest-cost boarding in the state |
| Presbyterian Pan American School | Kingsville | Coed, 9–12 | ~$35,000 | Strong international enrollment |
| Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) | Denton | Coed, 11–12 (public) | $0 tuition; room and board charged | University of North Texas campus; college credit |
Why Texas has so few boarding schools
Texas built its private education market around day schools in large metros — St. Mark’s School of Texas and Hockaday in Dallas, Kinkaid and St. John’s in Houston — all excellent and all non-boarding. Without New England’s 19th-century residential academy tradition, few Texas schools ever developed boarding programs, and the state’s strong day options meant limited demand.
The practical consequence: many Texas families looking for boarding apply out of state. If that is your situation, the largest markets are covered in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and — closer and cheaper — Tennessee and Virginia.
TAMS: the free early-college option
The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science is structurally different from a boarding school: advanced students spend their final two high school years living on the University of North Texas campus taking actual university courses, graduating with roughly two years of college credit. Tuition is free to Texas residents, with families paying room and board.
For a strong STEM student, this competes with any private option in the state on both cost and academic ceiling. Comparable programs in other states are listed in free boarding schools. All states are indexed in best boarding schools by state.
Texas boarding school FAQ
What boarding schools are in Texas?
Texas has few boarding schools relative to its size. The main options are TMI Episcopal (Texas Military Institute) in San Antonio, San Marcos Academy in San Marcos, and Presbyterian Pan American School in Kingsville. The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science in Denton is a tuition-free public residential program.
Why does Texas have so few boarding schools?
Texas developed its private school market as day schools serving large metro areas — Dallas, Houston, and Austin all have strong day options like St. Mark's and Kinkaid. Without the 19th-century residential academy tradition that shaped New England, few Texas schools built boarding programs.
How much do Texas boarding schools cost?
Texas boarding schools charge $35,000–$52,000 per year for boarding in 2025–26 — among the lowest in the country. TMI Episcopal runs approximately $48,000 and San Marcos Academy approximately $38,000. TAMS in Denton charges no tuition to Texas residents.
What is TAMS?
The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science is a tuition-free residential program at the University of North Texas in Denton where academically advanced Texas students complete their final two years of high school while earning university credit. Students pay room and board but no tuition; admission is highly competitive.
Sources
- TMI Episcopal: published tuition and admission data.
- Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science: tuition-free residential early-college program.
- Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS): regional school directory.