As you travel around the DFW metropolitan area, you might notice that there are many companies and a large airport, making it quite a comfortable place to live.

When your children reach college age, another important consideration is the universities. There are actually more college options around Irving than you might think.

The DFW area has dozens of universities and colleges, so even just looking for schools that are commutable from home offers a significant range of choices.

The first school to consider is the University of Dallas, located in Irving. Despite its name, you might think it's in downtown Dallas, but the campus is actually in Irving. It's a private Catholic university known for its liberal arts education, and since it's not a large school, there's a close relationship between students and professors.

However, being a private university, the tuition can make parents think twice. For the 2026-27 academic year, the undergraduate tuition is $54,760 per year, with various basic fees around $4,140. The estimated annual cost from the school, including dormitory and meal expenses, is about $79,160 for on-campus living. Of course, the actual amount paid can vary significantly based on scholarships and financial aid.

The second option is UT Arlington. It's a public research university that takes about 30 minutes to drive to from Irving. It has strong programs in practical fields like engineering, nursing, and social work, and most importantly, it offers competitive tuition rates for Texas residents.

For the 2026-27 academic year, the average tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate Texas residents is about $12,208 per year. The estimated Cost of Attendance from the school, including housing, meals, textbooks, and transportation, is around $31,642. Compared to the University of Dallas or SMU, this is definitely a more manageable figure for parents.

The third option is SMU, Southern Methodist University, located in Dallas. It's a well-known private research university in the DFW area, offering a range of programs in business, engineering, and the humanities. Connections with local businesses and an alumni network are also reasons why students choose this school.

However, the tuition is still quite high. For the 2026-27 academic year, the undergraduate tuition alone is $63,736, and when you add in general student fees, it totals $71,816. The estimated direct costs from the school, including dormitory and meal expenses, are about $92,766 per year. It's easy to think, "Wow, sending a kid to college costs nearly $100,000," but the actual amount families pay can vary based on scholarships and financial aid.

So, living in Irving doesn't just mean having expensive prestigious private universities nearby. It means you can compare schools with completely different characteristics and tuition rates, from small private universities like the University of Dallas to large public universities like UT Arlington and private universities like SMU, all within commuting distance.

When choosing a college for your child, it's not just about the name of the school. You also need to consider the major, tuition, and job prospects after graduation. If you can commute from home and save on dorm costs, the difference over four years can be significant. In that sense, Irving can be considered a pretty good city for families with children approaching college age, offering a variety of educational options.