The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is a state agency responsible for coordinating among Texas universities and other institutions of higher education. THECB evaluates the degree programs of Texas universities, sets certain standards, and collects data on higher education outcomes.
Despite its broad mandate, the Coordinating Board does not exercise direct control over public universities, which remain governed by their individual boards of regents. This structural limitation reflects a long-standing preference in Texas for institutional independence, with THECB functioning primarily as a coordinating and advisory body rather than a centralized authority.
Agency Functions
The major functions of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board are:
- Eliminating unnecessary duplication of resources in higher education institutions;
- Developing and evaluating progress on a long-range master plan for higher education;
- Collecting and making accessible data on higher education institutions;
- Making recommendations to improve the transferability of credits between universities;
- Improving transitions from high school to postsecondary education, and from postsecondary to the workforce;
- Administering financial aid programs as directed by the Texas Legislature.
Governing Board
THECB is comprised of a ten-member board, a commissioner of higher education, and an agency staff consisting of about 260 employees, according to its FY 2022-2023 budget.
The board members are appointed by the governor for six-year staggered terms. Additionally, one non-voting student representative serves for a one year term.
The board meets quarterly in Austin and meetings are open to the public.
History
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) was created in 1965 by the Texas Legislature through the passage of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Act. At the time, Texas was experiencing rapid growth in both population and college enrollment, and lawmakers recognized a need for a central agency to bring strategic oversight to a fragmented and expanding system of public colleges and universities.
Initially, THECB’s role focused on reviewing and approving new academic programs to prevent costly duplication across institutions. The agency also began compiling statewide data on enrollment, graduation rates, and workforce outcomes—functions that continue to be central to its mission. In the decades that followed, the Board’s authority grew in scope, particularly as the state sought to manage rising tuition costs and ensure access to higher education across rural and urban areas.
During the governorship of Rick Perry (2000–2015), the Coordinating Board operated within a political climate increasingly focused on accountability, cost efficiency, and workforce alignment in higher education. Governor Perry championed performance-based funding models, tuition transparency, and market-driven reforms, such as the “$10,000 degree” initiative aimed at reducing student costs. These priorities influenced the Board’s strategic direction, prompting greater emphasis on outcomes metrics and institutional productivity.
Other major initiatives have included the “Closing the Gaps” plan (2000), which sought to increase college participation and success among underrepresented groups, and “60x30TX” (2015), which aimed for 60% of Texans aged 25–34 to hold a postsecondary credential by 2030.
The role of the Coordinating Board has often reflected broader political and fiscal priorities in Texas. Compared to higher education governance models in other states, Texas’s Coordinating Board operates with a relatively narrow set of statutory powers, emphasizing cooperation and policy alignment rather than regulatory enforcement. This model allows flexibility but also places greater responsibility on institutional leadership to implement statewide goals.
