The relationships you make in college can last a lifetime — and can help your career. Take University of Texas alumni Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson, who met in their sophomore year and have since made eight critically acclaimed films together.
The relationships between current students and graduates can also be powerful. Alumni often retain strong ties to their alma mater, providing mentorship to students, giving talks on campus, or even stepping in to teach like UT Austin's Matthew McConaughey.
Notable alumni may not fall high on your list of considerations when choosing a college, but it's worth investigating. Alumni associations can help you connect with potential future employers. Plus, it's just plain fun to have some pride in attending the same school as a superstar.
Note: Asterisk indicates they attended the college or university but did not graduate from the school.
University of Houston Notable Alumni
From stadiums to the senate, University of Houston graduates have made their mark. UH alumni include famous actors, politicians, and one of the most decorated female gymnasts in U.S. history.
Mary Kay Ash, Cosmetics Company Founder, 1943
Tom Landry, Football Coach, 1952
Kenny Rogers, Musician, 1958
Tom DeLay, U.S. Congressman, 1969
Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator, 1970
Dennis Quaid, Actor*
Jim Parsons, Actor, 1996
Shannon Miller, Gymnast, 2003
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University of Texas at Austin Notable Alumni
UT Austin has arguably the most name recognition of any Texas school, and that holds true of its alumni, too. From Matthew McConaughey to Bill Moyers, these famous Longhorns certainly left a legacy behind.
Bill Moyers, Journalist, 1956
Farrah Fawcett, Actress, 1965
Laura Bush, Former First Lady, 1973
Marcia Gay Harden, Actress, 1980
Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist, 1983
Wes Anderson, Film Director, 1991
Renée Zellweger, Actress, 1992
Matthew McConaughey, Actor, 1993
Stacey Abrams, Activist and Politician, 1998
Robert Rodriguez, Film Director, 2008
Roger Clemens, Baseball Player*
Walter Cronkite, Broadcaster*
Kevin Durant, Basketball Player*
Janis Joplin, Musician*
Owen Wilson, Actor*
Texas A&M University Notable Alumni
This public university located in College Station is not only the biggest university in Texas, it's also the largest college in the entire U.S. With so many students, it's no wonder the school has racked up some notable names on its alumni list.
Rick Perry, Politician, 1972
Lyle Lovett, Musician, 1979
Anthony Wood, CEO of Roku, 1987
Eva Longoria, Actress, 1998
T. Boone Pickens, Oil Billionaire*
Rip Torn, Actor*
Baylor University Notable Alumni
Baylor University — a private Christian research university in Waco, Texas — has hosted a truly eclectic mix of now-famous former students, including the only modern-day ventriloquist to be a household name.
Jeff Dunham, Comedian and Ventriloquist, 1986
Angela Kinsey, Actress, 1993
Brittney Griner, Basketball Player, 2019
Willie Nelson, Musician*
Rand Paul, U.S. Senator*
Texas Christian University Notable Alumni
Though this private research university in Fort Worth may not be as well-known as some of the state's public flagships, some of the school's alumni are very well-known for their contributions to journalism, sports, and the arts.
Bob Schieffer, Journalist, 1959
Sandra Brown, Author, 1969
Sue Monk Kidd, Author, 1970
LaDainian Tomlinson, Football Player, 2000
Travis Willingham, Voice Actor, 2003
Texas Southern University Notable Alumni
Megan Thee Stallion might be the most recent superstar graduate of this historically Black university in Houston, but she's not the only famous alum.
Barbara Jordan, Lawyer and Politician, 1956
Mickey Leland, U.S. Congressman and Activist, 1970
Yolanda Adams, Musician, 1984
Megan Thee Stallion, Musician, 2021
Texas Tech University Notable Alumni
John Denver's most famous song might be about West Virginia, but he also has roots in Lubbock, Texas as a student at Texas Tech. Red Raider alums also include actors and one of the astronauts who tragically lost their lives during the Columbia space shuttle disaster.
Barry Corbin, Actor, 1964
Rick Husband, Astronaut, 1980
George Eads, Actor, 1989
John Denver, Musician*
Scott Pelley, Journalist*
Texas State University Notable Alumni
In addition to the standard slate of actors, musicians, and pro sports stars you'll find on most colleges' notable alumni lists, Texas State University has a unique claim to alumni fame as the only university in Texas that has graduated a former U.S. president.
Lyndon B. Johnson, Former U.S. President, 1930
Powers Boothe, Actor, 1970
George Strait, Musician, 1979
Shawn Michaels, Wrestler*
University of North Texas Notable Alumni
This public research university in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area has had its fair share of authors, athletes, actors, and musicians pass through on their path to fame.
Larry McMurtry, Author, 1958
Joe Green, Football Player, 1968
Steve Austin, Wrestler*
Thomas Haden Church, Actor*
Don Henly, Musician*
Norah Jones, Musician*
Meat Loaf, Musician*
Anne Rice, Author*
