KEY FACTS AND FIGURES
EXPLORE
DALLAS BY
THE NUMBERS
What’s behind our dynamic growth and vibrant culture? These facts, figures, and statistics paint a vivid picture of Dallas’ strengths: a robust and educated workforce, solid economic fundamentals, diverse demographics, a competitive real estate market, flourishing global trade, and an attractive cost of living.
Education - Educating the Workforce of the Future
Dallas exemplifies educational excellence at some of the nation’s top-rated high schools, colleges, and universities – from pioneering primary schools like the School for the Talented and Gifted to esteemed higher institutions like Southern Methodist University. The city’s education system stands out by integrating advanced STEM curricula, innovative arts programs, robust partnerships with local industries, and practical workforce development initiatives that collectively form an educational pipeline that nurtures the professionals of the future.
TOp 3
schools in Texas 2023
11
Schools in the "Texas Top 100 Schools" (2022)
Primary & Secondary Education
Public Schools
Dallas ISD claimed the top 3 schools in Texas in a 2023 ranking, and also was recognized for 11 schools in the top 100 in Texas in the 2022 U.S. News & World Report national rankings. Overall, 108 Dallas ISD schools are among the top 40% in the state, including 92 elementary schools and 16 middle schools.
- The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) – No. 1 in Texas, No. 8 national
- Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School – No. 2 in Texas, No. 20 national
- The Science and Engineering Magnet School – No. 3 in Texas, No. 22 national
- Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet – No. 6 in Texas, No. 48 national
- Trinidad Garza Early College at Mt View – No. 14 in Texas, No. 118 national
- Marvin E. Robinson School of Health Professions – No. 25 in Texas, No. 141 national
- Marvin E. Robinson School of Business and Management – No. 31 in Texas, No. 173 national
- Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts – No. 36 in Texas, No. 219 national
- Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy – No. 47 in Texas, No. 272 national
- Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Jr. Early College High School – No. 56 in Texas, No. 333 national
- Rosie M. Collins Sorrells Education & Social Services High School – No. 59 in Texas, No. 343 national
In addition to these top-performing schools, Dallas ISD’s choice schools are recognized for delivering specialized curricula tailored to students’ interests, from STEM to the arts. These schools combine high academic standards with innovative teaching and diverse learning environments enriched by community partnerships.
Dallas ISD is known as a pioneering school district, implementing new approaches to improvement such as addressing teacher retention by innovatively linking teacher compensation to student outcomes through a merit-based system. This approach rewards educators for their effectiveness in the classroom, as measured by student performance and growth — a win-win for everyone.
Private Schools
Dallas’s private schools are known for their exceptional academic rigor, diverse programs, and innovative teaching methodologies. Unique to other metro areas, many Dallas private institutions boast expansive campuses with state-of-the-art facilities, a wide array of extracurriculars, and a strong emphasis on community service, preparing students not just academically but as well-rounded individuals for global citizenship. The top-ranked private schools in the Dallas metro area include:
- St. Mark’s School of Texas – 1-12 (boys)
- Greenhill School – K-12
- The Hockaday School – K-12 (girls)
- Alcuin School – K-12
- The Episcopal School of Dallas – K-12
- Cistercian Preparatory School – 5-12 (boys)
- Trinity Valley School – K-12
- Dallas International School – K-12
- Fort Worth Country Day School – K-12
- Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas – 9-12 (boys)
Charter Schools
Dallas’s charter school system is distinguished by its dynamic and diverse educational models, offering specialized programs that range from STEM-focused curricula to arts and leadership training. Unlike many states, Texas allows for considerable innovation and flexibility in charter operations, enabling Dallas schools to tailor education closely to community needs and student interests, fostering a unique environment for personalized learning experiences. The top ranked charter schools in the Dallas metro include:
- Uplift North Hills Preparatory – High School
- Westlake Academy – K-12
- Imagine International Academy of North Texas – K-12
- Universal Academy – Coppell Campus – K-12
- Richland Collegiate High School – 9-12
- Founders Classical Academy – Lewisville – K-12
- Founders Classical Academy – Frisco – K-11
- Trivium Academy – K-11
- Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute – 6-12
- Harmony Science Academy – Euless – 6-12
Higher Education
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is home to a rich array of higher education institutions, with over 45 colleges and universities. This includes a mix of large research universities, smaller colleges, community colleges, and specialty schools, offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to meet diverse educational needs. Dallas-Fort Worth was recently ranked as the #1 Texas metro for Carnegie-designated R1 and R2 research universities, which include:
- University of North Texas (also the #1 fastest-growing public doctoral institution in the U.S.)
- Southern Methodist University
- The University of Texas at Dallas
- Texas Christian University
- The University of Texas at Arlington
- UT Southwestern Medical School (also ranked among the top 20 medical schools for primary care and the top 30 for research in the U.S.)
Notable institutions within the Dallas city limits include:
- University of Dallas
- Dallas Baptist University
- Texas Christian University
- UT Southwestern Medical Center
- Paul Quinn College
- Dallas County Community College District