A guide to higher education institutions, programs, and resources available in and around Collin County, Texas.

Collin County's higher education landscape has grown substantially to serve one of the fastest-growing populations in the United States. Anchored by Collin College — one of the most innovative and fastest-growing community colleges in Texas — and supported by satellite campuses, university presence, and a growing four-year ecosystem, the colleges and universities in Collin County provide accessible, high-quality education options for residents at every stage of their academic and professional journey.

Collin College

Overview

Collin College is the county's flagship higher education institution and one of the most respected community colleges in Texas. With campuses in Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Farmersville, and Wylie, Collin College provides broad geographic access to affordable higher education throughout the county.

• Serves approximately 60,000+ credit and continuing education students annually

• Associate degrees, workforce certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities

• Consistently ranked among the top community colleges in Texas

• Dual credit programs serving thousands of Collin County high school students

Campuses

• Spring Creek Campus (Plano): The largest Collin College campus — comprehensive liberal arts and STEM programs

• Central Park Campus (McKinney): Full-service campus serving northern Collin County

• Preston Ridge Campus (Frisco): Rapidly expanding campus serving Frisco's growing student population

• Allen Center and Wylie Campus: Satellite campuses serving south and east county students

• Farmersville Campus: Serves rural eastern Collin County communities

Notable Programs

• Nursing and Allied Health: One of the highest-demand programs at Collin College

• Computer Science and Information Technology

• Business Administration and Entrepreneurship

• Automotive Technology and Skilled Trades

• Liberal Arts transfer pathway to UT Dallas, UNT, and Texas A&M Commerce

University of Texas at Dallas

Proximity and Collin County Access

UT Dallas, located in Richardson just south of Collin County, is one of the most consequential universities for Collin County residents. The university is a top-tier research institution with nationally ranked programs in computer science, engineering, business, and neuroscience.

• 15–20 minute drive from most of Plano and south Collin County

• Many Collin County residents commute to UTD for undergraduate and graduate programs

• Strong employer pipeline to Collin County's technology and corporate corridor

• Graduate programs in business (Naveen Jindal School of Management) are highly regarded

Additional University Campuses in the Region

Texas A&M University — Commerce

Texas A&M University — Commerce has a campus presence in the broader North Texas region and is accessible from eastern Collin County. It offers bachelor's and master's programs across multiple disciplines.

• Located in Hunt County, approximately 45–60 minutes from McKinney

• Strong education, business, and agriculture programs

• Graduate and professional programs accessible for working adults

University of North Texas — Frisco Campus

The University of North Texas has established a growing presence in Frisco, expanding its offering of upper-division and graduate programs to serve Collin County's rapidly growing population directly.

• Located at the Frisco Station development near the tollway

• Focuses on upper-division undergraduate and graduate programs

• Strong alignment with Collin County's professional and technology sector employers

Continuing Education and Workforce Development

Collin College's continuing education division is a significant workforce resource:

• Professional certifications in healthcare, technology, skilled trades, and business

• Corporate training partnerships with major Collin County employers

• English as a Second Language and adult literacy programs

• Senior enrichment and lifelong learning programs

Key Resources for Students

• Texas Application (ApplyTexas): The standard application portal for Texas public universities

• FAFSA: Financial aid application — file early for maximum award consideration

• Collin County Promise: Scholarship program for eligible Collin County students attending Collin College

• Texas Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG): For eligible students at private Texas institutions

Additional Resources

Helpful Links

• Collin College (collin.edu)

• University of Texas at Dallas (utdallas.edu)

• UNT Frisco Campus (frisco.unt.edu)

• Texas A&M University Commerce (tamuc.edu)

• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (thecb.texas.gov)

• Apply Texas — College Applications (applytexas.org)

• FAFSA — Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov)

For more education and community resource coverage across Collin County, visit NorthTexasWeekly.com — your local guide to living and thriving in North Texas.