Bryan & College Station Electricity Rates & Plans
Last updated: October 18, 2026 · 7 min read
Bryan-College Station is the twin-city region of Brazos County in Central Texas — home to Texas A&M University, one of the largest universities in the United States by enrollment. The two cities are distinct municipalities with different electricity markets: Bryan is primarily served by Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU), a municipal utility outside the competitive market, while College Station is primarily served by Oncor Electric Delivery within the deregulated ERCOT market. Understanding which city and which utility serves your address is the essential first step before attempting to compare electricity plans.
The short answer
Bryan residents: Served by Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU) — a municipal utility. You cannot shop for competitive plans.
College Station residents: Mostly Oncor Electric Delivery territory — fully deregulated. Fixed-rate plans advertise 9.5–13.5¢/kWh at 1,000 kWh. Enter your ZIP to confirm and see ranked options.
Bryan Texas Utilities — Why Bryan Residents Cannot Shop
Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU) has been the city-owned electric utility since 1908. As a municipal utility, BTU generates and distributes electricity under rates approved by the Bryan City Council rather than the competitive market. BTU is not connected to ERCOT's retail competition framework — it operates on its own terms as a municipal enterprise.
BTU rates are set through a regulated cost-of-service model. The city council approves rate changes after public hearings. Residents interested in BTU rates should visit btu.org or contact BTU directly at their published customer service number. Bryan residents looking to lower their electricity costs are limited to usage reduction, BTU efficiency programs, and — if eligible — the city's assistance programs.
College Station — Oncor Territory in the Competitive Market
Most College Station addresses are served by Oncor Electric Delivery within the deregulated ERCOT market. Oncor owns the delivery infrastructure, and residents can choose from any licensed retail electric provider. At 1,000 kWh, Oncor TDSP charges typically total $8–$13. At 1,500 kWh in summer, they rise to $13–$19.
College Station ZIP codes typically have 60–90 active plans from 20+ providers — the same broad competitive market available throughout Oncor's territory. Students and long-term residents alike can shop, switch, and negotiate exactly as they would in Dallas or Fort Worth.
ZIP Code Reference — Competitive vs. Municipal
| ZIP | Primary Area | Typical Utility | Can Shop? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 77801–77803 | City of Bryan | Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU) | No — municipal utility |
| 77807 | West Bryan / rural Brazos | BTU or co-op (verify by address) | Verify — enter ZIP in search tool |
| 77840/77843 | College Station / Texas A&M | Oncor Electric Delivery | Yes — fully deregulated |
| 77845/77862 | South College Station, Wellborn | Oncor Electric Delivery | Yes — fully deregulated |
A Texas example
Maria, a graduate student at Texas A&M, lives off campus in a 2-bedroom apartment in College Station (77840). August usage: 920 kWh. She moved in August when the previous lease ended — the unit was on a holdover variable rate of 14.2¢/kWh. August bill: $149.43. She switched to a 12-month fixed plan at 10.1¢/kWh (interpolated at 920 kWh). September bill for the same usage: $107.89 — a $41.54 monthly saving on a relatively modest usage level. The holdover variable rate trap hits students hard because they often don't know to check.
Texas A&M Student Renters — The Variable Rate Trap
The College Station rental market churns heavily at semester boundaries — May, August, and December. When a lease ends and a new tenant moves in, the electricity account may remain on a holdover variable rate with the previous tenant's provider. Landlords may not notify new tenants of the plan status. The first utility bill can be a shock.
Students and young professionals moving into off-campus housing in College Station should immediately check their current plan type. Enter your address on the search tool — if competitive plans appear, you are in Oncor territory and can switch. A 12-month fixed plan at a rate appropriate for your expected usage is almost always superior to an inherited holdover variable rate.
Watch out — Bryan/CS boundary addresses
The service territory boundary between BTU and Oncor does not perfectly follow city limits or ZIP code boundaries. Some addresses in College Station ZIP codes may fall within BTU's service area, and vice versa. The only reliable confirmation method is to enter your full address at powertochoose.org or in the search tool on this site. If no competitive plans appear, your address is in a non-competitive territory — contact BTU (979-821-5700) or the relevant cooperative to understand your rate.
Smart move for students
If you are a student renting in College Station and sharing utilities with roommates, choose a plan with no (or low) early termination fee — your lease term and residency at the address may be shorter than a standard 12-month fixed contract. Some providers offer 6-month fixed plans that match a semester schedule. Alternatively, choose a provider with an ETF under $100 and a strong rate — the switching savings typically outweigh the ETF if you move within the contract period.
Key Takeaways
Bryan is BTU territory — no competitive plan shopping. College Station is primarily Oncor territory — fully deregulated. The service boundary does not follow ZIP codes exactly, so address-level confirmation is required. College Station students and renters should check for holdover variable rates immediately upon moving in and switch to a fixed plan if found.
Find the cheapest College Station plan for your home
Enter your ZIP and bedroom count — true interpolated cost at your actual usage level. (Competitive plans appear only for Oncor territory addresses.)
Compare College Station Plans →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I shop for electricity in Bryan-College Station?
It depends on your address. Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU) serves the city of Bryan as a municipal utility — Bryan residents cannot shop for competitive plans. Most College Station addresses are served by Oncor Electric Delivery within the deregulated ERCOT market and can shop freely. Enter your ZIP in the search tool: if plans appear, you are in the competitive market. If not, you are likely a BTU customer.
What is Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU)?
Bryan Texas Utilities is a municipal electric utility owned and operated by the City of Bryan. As a municipal utility, BTU operates outside the deregulated Texas retail electricity market. BTU rates are set by the city council, not market competition. Bryan residents pay BTU's approved tariff rate and cannot choose a different electricity provider.
Who is the TDU for College Station electricity?
Oncor Electric Delivery is the TDU for most College Station addresses in Brazos County. Oncor serves the distribution infrastructure — poles, wires, meters — and its TDSP charges appear on every competitive-market bill regardless of REP. Some College Station addresses near the Bryan border may fall within BTU's service territory. Confirm your address by entering your ZIP on the search tool.
What ZIP codes are deregulated in the Bryan-College Station area?
College Station ZIP codes 77840, 77843, 77845, and 77862 are primarily Oncor territory — deregulated. Bryan ZIP codes 77801, 77802, 77803, and 77807 are primarily BTU territory — not deregulated. Note that service territory boundaries do not perfectly follow city limits or ZIP boundaries; the only reliable way to confirm your TDU is to enter your full address on the search tool.
How does Texas A&M University affect electricity in the area?
Texas A&M University has its own utility infrastructure and does not directly affect residential retail electricity rates. Student off-campus housing in College Station is served by Oncor and participates in the competitive market. Students renting apartments or houses in College Station should confirm they are not on a holdover variable rate — high occupancy turnover at end of semesters creates the same variable-rate trap common in military markets like Killeen.
What are typical electricity rates in College Station?
As of May 2026, fixed-rate plans in College Station (Oncor territory) typically advertise 9.5–13.5 cents per kWh at 1,000 kWh. Typical summer usage for a 3-bedroom home is 1,100–1,600 kWh. Students in smaller apartments may use 600–900 kWh. Compare at your actual usage level for an accurate cost estimate.
Your Next Move
Enter your College Station ZIP in the search tool to confirm your TDU and see ranked plan options. For context on why some Texas cities cannot shop for competitive electricity, see the how Texas deregulation works guide. For the adjacent Waco market (also Oncor territory), see the Waco electricity rates guide. The True Cost Calculator lets you model any plan at your actual usage.