The University of Texas at Austin dominates the educational landscape of the city, with more than 46,000 students and a faculty and staff of more than 14,000. UT is one of the largest state-owned universities in the nation, and the flagship of the University of Texas System that includes campuses in other Texas cities. Other institutions of higher learning include Austin Community College, Concordia University, Huston-Tillotson University, St. Edward's University and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

The greater Austin metropolitan area is served by more than 300 public education facilities in 12 independent school districts. There are more than 190 elementary schools, 97 middle schools and 73 high schools in those districts. In addition, there are more than 60 private schools in the Austin metro area. The pre-eminence of education in Austin has earned it a designation from researchers at Central Connecticut State University as the 16th most literate city in America.