The mission statements of 34 four-year and of 68 two-year colleges in the State of Texas were examined for themes to determine the extent to which their themes were similar or dissimilar in nature. Although previous researchers have attempted to analyze and demonstrate that these mission statements often have reoccurring themes, only limited information is available about the specific thematic differences in the mission statements of two-year community colleges and four-year institutions. In the qualitative analysis, 15 themes were determined to be present among the sample: Leadership, Citizenship, Cultural Diversity, Life-Long Learning, Excellence in Teaching and Research, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Academic Achievement, Collaboration and Partnership, Vocational and Technical Skills, Access to Higher Education, Academic Readiness and Skill Development, Student Services, Community Focus, and Technology. Quantitative analyses yielded statistically significant differences in the themes of Leadership, Citizenship, Cultural Diversity, Excellence in Teaching and Research, Creativity, Academic Achievement, Vocational and Technical Skills, Academic Readiness Skill Development, with more four-year institutions emphasizing Leadership, Citizenship, Cultural Diversity, Excellence in Teaching and Research, Creativity, and Academic Achievement, and with more two-year colleges emphasizing Vocational and Technical Skills and Academic Readiness Skill Development. The two levels of Texas higher education institutions distinguished themselves by fulfilling their traditional roles, with four-year institutions adhering to their excellence in teaching and research, and providing leadership, and with two-year colleges adhering to their role of open-access and vocational training. On the other hand, four-year institutions also expanded their role to shoulder responsibilities typically fulfilled by the two-year colleges. (Contains 4 tables.)