2023 Best Online Colleges in Texas

Southern Methodist University (SMU) is a private, nonprofit institution offering online courses, certificates, and master's degrees. SMU specializes in technology-based graduate programs in computer science, network engineering, data science, and creative technology. Master's degrees require a minimum of 30 credit hours, allowing students to graduate in two years while studying full-time. Its acceptance rate is 53%, with 80% of students graduating.

The online learning management system at SMU is Canvas. Coursework is delivered synchronously and asynchronously. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12-1. Financial aid is available, but scholarships are unavailable for graduate students. There are academic advisors and counseling services; however, SMU does not specify how online students access these services. SMU is known for its large selection of online courses in many areas such as UX design, digital marketing, collaborative communication, and personal branding.

The University of Houston - Clear Lake (UHCL) is a public university offering online graduate certificates, bachelor's, and master's degrees. UHCL specializes in master's programs with majors including business administration, engineering management, and finance. Master's degrees require a minimum of 30 credits, which full-time students may complete in approximately two years. The acceptance rate at UHCL is 91%, with 68% of students graduating.

The learning management system at UHCL is Blackboard, where students can study online and asynchronously. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online students can use technical support, career tools, counseling services, and online tutoring. UHCL is designated a Hispanic-serving institution with a 48% Hispanic student body.

The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) is a public institution that offers more than a dozen fully online bachelor's degrees. These include distance versions of some of UTPB's most popular programs, such as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. The university accepts 88% of bachelor's degree applicants, 51% of whom finish their degree program.

UTPB uses the Canvas learning management system to host online courses. The federal government designates this university as a Hispanic-serving institution, with Hispanic or Latinx students composing more than half of the student population. Fifty-five percent of enrollees study full time and 45% study part time.

Texas A&M University - College Station (TAMU) is a public institution with online master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and certificates. Most master's degrees are available in engineering and agriculture with majors in agriculture systems management, wildlife science, and mechanical engineering. A minimum of 30 credits is required to meet general education and major requirements. Full-time students may complete this in two years. TAMU has a 64% acceptance rate, with 83% of students graduating with degrees.

TAMU's online learning management system is Canvas. Coursework is entirely online using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19-1. Distance learning students are eligible for financial aid scholarships. Online students have access to counseling and psychological services and academic assistance. TAMU is known as a research university with expenditures surpassing $1.1 billion in 2022, making it the first university in the state to reach this milestone.

Texas Tech University (TTU), a public school, features nearly two dozen online bachelor's degrees. The program with the highest enrollment is the Bachelor of General Studies, which allows students to customize a major using three focus areas. Other popular choices are the Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations & Strategic Communication Management and the Bachelor of Science in Education. The university has a 70% acceptance rate and a 62% graduation rate for bachelor's degree students.

TTU's online learners sign in to the Blackboard LMS to complete coursework. This is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution: 29% of students have Hispanic or Latinx backgrounds. TTU has a relatively small percentage of part-time students at 11%.

The University of St. Thomas - TX (UST) is a private Catholic school with online certificates, associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Master's degrees are most common, featuring majors such as accounting, business administration, and nursing requiring between 30 and 39 credits. Full-time students may complete all the necessary coursework in approximately two years. Undergraduate students are required to complete a faith-based core curriculum. Undergraduate students graduated at a rate of 65%.

Blackboard is the learning platform used by UST students to learn entirely online and asynchronously. According to the school's internal data from 2020, there was a student-to-faculty ratio of 14-1. Students may use financial aid and scholarships to pay for their programs. Online resources such as an online bookstore, tutorial videos, technology help desk, academic advising, and counseling are also available. UST is known for its online programs in the field of healthcare, including different degree levels in nursing and psychiatric mental health.

Wayland Baptist University (WBU) is a private, nonprofit, Christian institution with online certificates, associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. There are over a dozen online bachelor's degrees, some requiring up to 124 credits and featuring majors such as criminal justice, business administration, psychology, and Christian ministry. Full-time students with no transfer credits can graduate in four years. WBU has an 81% acceptance rate and a 44% graduation rate.

Blackboard is the learning management system WBU uses to deliver its courses entirely online. The student-to-faculty ratio is 9-1. Financial aid and scholarship options are available. Digital libraries and career placement services are also available. WBU is known for integrating faith-based courses into its core curriculum. All students — except those taking an associate and bachelor of applied science degree — must take at least six credits in religion.

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is a public university offering online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. UTA specializes in healthcare and education master's programs, such as nursing, public health, and special education. Master's degrees require between 30 and 34 credits which full-time students may complete in approximately two years. The acceptance rate at UTA is 93%, with 58% of students graduating.

The learning management system at UTA is Canvas. Coursework may be offered synchronously on a traditional semester schedule or asynchronously in an accelerated online format. The student-to-faculty ratio is 24-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online students can access technical support, counseling and psychological services, and an online library. UTA is known for its professional education programs featuring online courses in specialized areas such as fire and safety, safety and health, public works and transportation, personal enrichment, and more.

Lamar University is a public institution offering several online bachelor's degree programs, mainly in business-related majors. These include a Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. But the school's most popular bachelor's degree is the RN-to-BSN program for current registered nurses, which is also available online. The university has an 83% acceptance rate and a 37% graduation rate for bachelor's degree programs.

Lamar uses the Blackboard LMS to deliver online course materials, assignments, and interactive modules. In all, 57% of Lamar students take a full-time course schedule.

Concordia University - Texas (CTX) is a private, nonprofit, Christ-centered institution with online bachelor's and master's degrees. Bachelor's degrees require at least 120 credits and feature majors such as criminal justice and criminology, computer science, and business administration. Full-time students with no transfer credits can graduate in four years. CTX has an 89% acceptance rate and a 45% graduation rate.

Blackboard is the learning management system CTX uses to deliver its online synchronous and asynchronous classes. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17-1. Financial aid and scholarship options are available. Student resources are also available in the form of online tutoring, math and writing centers, and virtual career advising. CTX is known for its Concordia Common Experience, which requires students to take six religion credits that feature bible studies and Christian leadership.

The University of Houston (UH) is a public school with online professional development programs, certificates, bachelor's and master's degrees. Master's degrees are widely available at UH, most of which require 36 credits. Majors include electrical engineering, nursing, accountancy, and early childhood education. Full-time students may complete all the necessary coursework in approximately two years. UH has an acceptance rate of 66% and a graduation rate of 61%.

Blackboard and Courseware are the learning management systems UH students use to study entirely online through synchronous and asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 21-1. Students may use financial aid to pay for online courses. Scholarships are also available. Online students have access to writing consultations and academic tutoring. UH is known for the extra support it provides remote students, including the Challenger Program, designed to support low-income and first-generation students during their educational journey.

Texas A&M University - Commerce (TAMUC), which is a public university, offers more than 30 online bachelor's degrees as well as master's degrees and doctorates. Among its highest ranked distance education programs are the master's in library science and administration, the master's in biology, and the master's in health and fitness.

TAMUC delivers its online courses through the Brightspace learning management system. Nearly three-quarters of enrollees are full-time students. The school accepts 86% of applicants, and 43% graduate on average.

Baylor University (BU) is a private, nonprofit, Christian university with online certificates, master's and doctoral degrees. Master's degrees may require at least 45 credits and feature majors such as school leadership, business administration, and public health. Full-time students can graduate in approximately two years. The bachelor's in nursing is the only complete undergraduate program that can be earned online. BU has a 57% acceptance rate and a 78% graduation rate.

Canvas is the learning management system BU uses to deliver online asynchronous classes. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16-1. Online students have the same access to financial aid and scholarship as on-campus students. Resources are available in career services, online libraries, mental health services, writing centers, and academic advising. BU is known for the Baylor University Medical Center, a major medical training center in Texas. The emphasis on healthcare education is apparent in the school's online doctoral programs, including occupational therapy, pediatric nursing, physical therapy, and public health.

The University of Houston - Downtown (UHD) is a public university with a large variety of online bachelor's degree programs. Some of its most popular degrees are available to distance learners, including the Bachelor of Arts in Humanities, the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice, and the Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. The school accepts 93% of bachelor's candidates and graduates 43% of them with a degree.

UHD hosts online courses on the Blackboard LMS but plans to transition to Canvas in 2024. Fifty-five percent of students identify as Hispanic or Latinx people at this federally recognized Hispanic-serving institution. The population is evenly split between full-time and part-time enrollees.

The public University of North Texas (UNT) offers several online bachelor's degrees, including programs in some of the university's most popular majors. Two multidisciplinary degrees have especially high enrollments: the Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies and the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, both of which encourage students to design a unique study program. The university has an 84% acceptance rate for bachelor's candidates, along with a 60% graduation rate.

Online students complete coursework in the Canvas digital learning platform. UNT is a designated Hispanic-serving institution with a population consisting of 27% Hispanic or Latinx students. Eighty percent of the student body studies full time.

At Sam Houston State University (SHSU), a public university, students can select from more than 20 online bachelor’s, master's, and doctoral programs. The school's online humanities programs are particularly strong. Three of their highest-scoring programs include bachelor's degrees in history, humanities general studies, and interdisciplinary studies.

SHSU's online learners access their courses through the Blackboard learning system. The school has an 85% acceptance rate and a 56% graduation rate. Just over three-quarters of enrollees are studying full time.

Despite its name, Texas Woman's University (TWU) is one of the state's public institutions educating all types of students. The school currently offers 45 online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Two of TWU's top-ranking programs are the master's in health and fitness and the master's in rehabilitation and therapeutic professions.

Canvas is the school's online learning platform. TWU has a high acceptance rate of 94% and a graduation rate of 48%. Overall, about two-thirds of enrollees are full-time students.

The University of Dallas (UD) is a private, nonprofit, Catholic institution with various distance learning opportunities, including online executive training courses, master's degrees in business and theological education for ministry. Master's degrees are available in business administration, theological studies, pastoral ministry, and catechetical ministry. In total, 36 credits are required to meet graduation requirements for all master's degrees except the MBA, which requires 30. Full-time students may complete these programs in two years. UD has a 58% acceptance rate, with 69% of students graduating with degrees.

UD's online learning management system is Brightspace. Coursework is delivered entirely online using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 12-1. UD students are eligible for financial aid and scholarships. Online students can access academic coaches; academic advising is mandatory for first-year MBA students. UD is known for the Braniff Fellows scholarship program for students pursuing an online graduate program in religious studies.

Texas State University (TXST) is a public university offering online courses and bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. TXST specializes in master's programs with majors including healthcare administration, construction management, educational technology, and more. These online degrees require 30-49 credits, which full-time students may complete in approximately two years. The acceptance rate at TXST is 70%, with 62% of students graduating.

The learning management system at TXST is Canvas, where students can study online. The student-to-faculty ratio is 22-1. Financial aid is available, and academically qualified first-year students automatically receive the Freshman Assured Scholarship. First-generation, low-income students receive academic development assistance through tutoring, networking opportunities, financial literacy workshops, and peer mentorship. TXST is known for its partnership with Ed2Go, which allows the school to offer hundreds of fully online continuing education programs in areas such as art and design, business, information technology, and legal.

Dallas Baptist University (DBU) is a private, nonprofit, Christian institution with online bachelor's and master's degrees. Bachelor's degrees require 120 credits and feature popular majors such as communication, history, management, marketing, and sociology. Full-time students with no transfer credits can graduate in four years. DBU has a 94% acceptance rate and a 54% graduation rate.

Blackboard is the learning management system DBU uses to deliver its online coursework, which is synchronous and asynchronous. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14-1. Financial aid and scholarship options are available. Technology resources, counseling, professional development, and mentoring services are available. DBU is known for integrating faith-based courses into its core curriculum. Undergraduate students are required to take at least six hours of religion, Christian studies, or intercultural studies.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) is a public school with online bachelor's degrees, graduate certificates, and master's and doctoral degrees. Master's degrees may require between 49 and 60 credits, including several health-related majors — such as family nurse practitioner, addiction counseling, and clinical mental health counseling. Full-time students may complete all the necessary coursework in approximately three years. TTUHSC's graduation rate is 92%.

Blackboard is the learning platform used by TTUHSC students to learn entirely online. The student-to-faculty ratio is 7-1. Financial aid is available, and each school within TTUHSC offers scholarships. There are also professional development, emotional support, and personal growth services. TTUHSC is known for its high research activity related to infectious diseases, neurological disorders, and cancer.

The University of Houston - Victoria (UHV) is a public institution with online certificates, bachelor's programs, and master's degrees. The online bachelor's degrees require 120 credits and feature majors such as accounting, computer information systems, and communication. Full-time students with no transfer credits can graduate in four years. UHV has a 53% acceptance rate and a 51% graduation rate.

Canvas is the learning management system UHV uses to deliver online asynchronous classes. The student-to-faculty ratio is 15-1. Financial aid and scholarship options are available. Online students can access therapy and counseling services, job boards for career development assistance, and academic guidance. UHV is known as an affordable school with tuition costs that fall $8,000 below the midpoint for other four-year universities.

The publicly run Stephen F. Austin State University offers an array of more than 30 online degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Options include a bachelor's degree in human development and family studies and a master's degree in music. The school accepts 90% of all applicants, and 53% earn their degrees.

Online students use the D2L learning platform to view course lectures and readings, complete homework, and engage in class discussions. Full-time students make up 81% of the student population.

West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) is a public institution with online bachelor's and master's degrees. WTAMU also has one online doctoral degree in educational leadership. Online bachelor's degrees are available in criminal justice, economics, and management, among other areas. A minimum of 120 credits are required to meet general education and major requirements. Full-time students may complete this in four years. WTAMU has a 97% acceptance rate, with 54% of students graduating with degrees.

WTAMU's online learning management system is Blackboard. Coursework is completed entirely online using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17-1. WTAMU students are eligible for financial aid, and scholarships are available based on academics and leadership experience. Online students receive support through an online technology portal, digital libraries and bookstores, tutoring, and academic advising. WTAMU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution with a 33% Hispanic student body.

Tarleton State University is a public institution offering more than 20 fully online master's degrees and 17 bachelor's degree completion programs. One of the school's top-ranked online programs is a bachelor's degree in health and physical education. Tarleton accepts 87% of applicants, and 46% of students graduate.

At Tarleton, distance education students use the Canvas learning management system to access course materials, interact with peers, and submit assignments. Approximately three-quarters of enrollees are full-time students.

Houston Christian University (HCU), formerly Houston Baptist University, is a private, nonprofit, and Christian school hosting online certificates, as well as online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Bachelor's degrees may require between 120 and 125 credits. Majors include business administration, psychology, and biblical studies. Full-time students may complete all the necessary coursework in approximately four years. HCU has an acceptance rate of 85% and a graduation rate of 45%.

Blackboard is the learning platform HCU students use to learn entirely online and asynchronously. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16-1. Students may use financial aid to pay for online courses. Scholarships are also available. Career-building resources help students create their resumes and apply for jobs. Counseling services are only available to online students residing in Texas. HCU is known as a diverse yet predominantly Hispanic institution. Its student body comprises 37% Hispanic, 23% Black, 21% white, and 8% Asian students.

Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a private, nonprofit, and Christian institution that delivers online certificates as well as online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Bachelor's degrees require at least 120 credits and feature majors such as communication, information technology administration, psychology, and healthcare administration. Full-time students with no transfer credits can graduate in four years. ACU has a 70% acceptance rate and a 64% graduation rate.

Canvas is the learning management system ACU uses to deliver its online asynchronous classes. The student-to-faculty ratio is 13-1. Online students can apply for financial aid and scholarships to pay for online programs. Graduation checklists, evaluation tools, a writing center, technology support, and academic advising are available. ACU is known for requiring religion courses in its general education curriculum that all non-transfer students must complete, such as two levels of bible studies.

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) is a public university offering online courses and certificates as well as online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. TAMUCC specializes in nursing and education programs with master's degrees, such as family nurse practitioner, leadership in nursing systems, nurse educator, and elementary education. These online degrees require between 25 and 36 credits, which full-time students may complete in approximately two years. The acceptance rate at TAMUCC is 91%, with 45% of students graduating.

The learning management system at TAMUCC is Blackboard, where students can study online through synchronous and asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online students can take advantage of online mental health resources. TAMUCC is known as a majority Hispanic institution making up over 50% of its student body.

Texas A&M University - Central Texas (TAMUCT) is a public university with online bachelor's and master's degrees. Bachelor's degrees comprise a significant portion of its offerings and feature majors such as business, computer science, nursing, and sociology. In total, 120 credits are required to meet graduation requirements, which full-time students may complete in four years. TAMUCT has a 96% acceptance rate, with 58% of students graduating with degrees.

TAMUCT's online learning management system is Canvas. Coursework is completed entirely online using an asynchronous format. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16-1. TAMUCT students are eligible for financial aid, and several scholarships are available. Online students have 24/7 access to tutoring services through Tutor.com. TAMUCT is known for its aviation-related undergraduate programs in areas such as aviation pilot and aviation science, where students can study entirely online.

Angelo State University (ASU) is a public school with online certificates, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Most are at the master's level, with majors such as business data science and analytics, homeland security, and mental health and wellness counseling. These online degrees require between 30 and 36 credits. Full-time students may graduate in as little as 12 months. Generally, however, this amount of credits is completed in approximately two years. ASU has an acceptance rate of 70% and a graduation rate of 40%.

Blackboard is the learning platform ASU students use to learn entirely online, with most courses delivered asynchronously. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19-1. Scholarships and financial aid are available. Math, writing, and general academic tutoring are accessible through online sessions. ASU is known for its online graduate certificate programs in specialized areas, including academic advising, cybercrime investigation, teaching psychology, and healthcare management.