2023 Best Online Colleges in Texas

Higher Education in Texas

Second only to California in terms of population and economic strength, Texas is home to just over 30 million residents driving the second highest gross domestic product (GDP) in the country. College education is highly valued in the Lone Star State, where 31.5% of Texans have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

Texas is famous for doing everything in a big way, so it's no surprise that the state government runs six separate university systems as well as nearly 50 public community colleges with more than 110 campuses. Below are some higher education options for public institutions.

• The University of Texas System includes eight campuses: Dallas, El Paso, Permian Basin, Austin, Tyler, San Antonio, Arlington, and Rio Grande Valley.
• The Texas A&M University System encompasses 11 schools. Among them are Texas A&M University-Commerce, Tarleton State University, and West Texas A&M University.
• The Texas State University System is the oldest in the state. Member schools include Lamar University and Sam Houston State University.
• The University of Houston has four campuses, the University of North Texas System has three campuses, and the Texas Tech University System has five locations.
• Three additional independent public universities include Texas Woman's University, Stephen F. Austin State University, and Texas Southern University.

Of course, there are many private universities of all sizes in the state, too. These include Baylor University, Rice University, LeTourneau University, and Lubbock Christian University. Texas is also home to nine historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), such as Paul Quinn College and Prairie View A&M University. 

Between public and private schools, about 1.5 million people are projected to be enrolled in Texas institutions of higher education as of 2023.

Online Colleges in Texas

Distance learning has become more and more popular over the past 20 years or so. Many colleges in Texas and across the country offer online courses and online degree programs. The methodology used to rank our list of the best online colleges in Texas is based on bachelor's degrees. However, you can also earn master's degrees, doctoral degrees, certificates, and a variety of other options at online universities in Texas. 

Many degree programs can be completed entirely online. Some online courses in these programs are asynchronous, which means that you can log in to complete your assignments at any time. On the other hand, some courses may be synchronous. These will require you to stream live classes at specified times so you can participate in lectures and other online learning activities with your classmates. 

In some cases, degree programs are hybrid. For these programs, you'll complete most of your coursework online but you'll need to attend some on-campus classes or events. 

Most colleges across the U.S. have similar admissions requirements for their on-campus and online programs. When submitting an application, you'll typically need to send high school and college transcripts and possibly an application fee. At the more competitive schools, you may need to show that you maintained a 2.5 or higher GPA in high school. Along with your application, you may also need to send college entrance exam scores, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and resumes.

An online bachelor's degree in Texas usually takes four to five years for full-time students to complete. Part-time students may need five to six years. Earning an online master's degree may take two years for full-time students or longer for part-time learners.

If you're eager to earn your degree more quickly, you may be interested in an accelerated online program. Some online Texas schools feature condensed terms of seven or eight weeks so you can complete courses year-round and graduate faster.

Before applying to any school, check its accreditation status to make sure you're attending a high-quality online degree program. Enrollment in an accredited college may determine your eligibility for financial aid, your ability to transfer credits among schools, your acceptance into a graduate program, or your qualifications for obtaining a credential or license to practice a specific profession.

All of the Texas online colleges featured on our rankings list are accredited, most likely by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) or the Distance Education Accreditation Commission (DEAC), both of which are approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

Top Online Degree Programs in Texas

Online degree programs appeal to many students, mainly because of their flexibility and convenience. Graduate students often choose online master's and doctoral programs so they can earn a graduate degree without disrupting their lives. Some of the more popular online master's programs include business administration, healthcare administration, civil engineering, social work, and accounting.

When it comes to bachelor's degrees, online Texas colleges offer even more possibilities. You can select among the full range of majors such as computer engineering, early childhood education, and criminal justice. However, the most popular bachelor's degree in this state is in business, followed by liberal arts subjects. Many of these undergraduate degrees can be earned through online colleges in Texas:

In addition to completing all of the required courses, you may also need to complete internships, externships, labs, and various types of fieldwork to earn your degree. In the online environment, you'll usually complete these learning activities at professional facilities near your home. For example, if you're enrolled in an online RN-to-BSN program, you may be able to accumulate your clinical hours at a nearby hospital.

Cost of Online Colleges in Texas

As shown in the table below using data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the cost of earning a college degree at a public university in Texas is about the same as the national average. Tuition fees at private colleges, however, tend to run higher than average. 

Before applying to online colleges in Texas, be sure to research individual costs carefully. Tuition fees can vary within the same school or university system, depending on the degree, the delivery mode, and your residency status. Online learners may also have to pay extra technology fees.

Annual Average Cost of Tuition and Required Fees (2020-2021)

	Texas	United States
Two-year College (In-state)	$2,828	$3,501
Two-year College (Out-of-state)	$7,764	$8,256
Public Four-year College (In-state)	$8,016	$9,375
Public Four-year College (Out-of-state)	$25,471	$27,091
Private	$37,450	$32,825

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Annual Average Cost of Tuition and Required Fees (2020-2021)

Two-year College (In-state)

Texas: $2,828

United States: $3,501

Two-year College (Out-of-state)

Texas: $7,764

United States: $8,256

Public Four-year College (In-state)

Texas: $8,016

United States: $9,375

Public Four-year College (Out-of-state)

Texas: $25,471

United States: $27,091

Private

Texas:$37,450

United States:$32,825

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Selecting one of the more affordable public schools is an obvious way to save money on college, but there are other ways to minimize expenses. For instance, you could consider attending a Texas college where the online tuition fees are lower than the on-campus fees for in-state residents. By getting your degree through distance learning, you'll also avoid the cost of college room and board and reduce transportation expenses.

Another way to decrease the total cost of your college education is to enroll in one of Texas's many online community colleges. Your career aspirations may mean that you need only an associate degree or vocational certificate from a community college or technical school. Or, you could complete 45-60 credit hours of general education courses at a more affordable community college and then transfer to a bachelor's degree program at the four-year university of your choice.

Financial Aid for Students in Texas

Perhaps the most effective way to reduce your college expenses is to obtain grants and scholarships. Unlike student loans, these types of financial aid generally don't have to be repaid. However, student loans — especially lower-interest federal student loans — can also be a useful tool in helping you pay for college. Just be sure to review the repayment terms thoroughly before accepting one.

All students should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine their eligibility for federal and school-sponsored financial assistance, such as the Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG). By submitting this form, you'll also be considered for grants and other financial aid programs paid for by the state of Texas to help students cover college expenses. These awards include the following:

Like many states, Texas also offers a number of Promise programs. These programs are designed to make up the difference between the money you receive from other financial aid sources and the total cost of tuition, books, and other expenses. Students generally need to have a family income less than $65,000 to qualify, but the eligibility requirements vary across the 10 programs in the state. Students also need to be attending a qualifying school, such as one of the five schools in the Alamo Community College District or Texas State University, to receive one of these awards. 

If you are an active-duty military member or veteran, you and your family members may be entitled to education benefits through the GI Bill®. You may also be eligible for tuition discounts and other services at the online Texas colleges, such as Texas Tech University, that are military-friendly Yellow Ribbon schools.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Job Outlook for Texas College Graduates

Texas has led the nation in terms of an economic resurgence since the beginning of the pandemic. In addition to the total 13.7 million jobs in the state, Texas recently confirmed 23 new project locations that are expected to create $1.23 billion in capital investment and more than 900 new jobs. State economists project continued growth in the service sector, which includes professional and business services, education, healthcare, hospitality, and food services. They also predict steady growth in the wholesale and retail trade.

Such a bright outlook means plenty of employment opportunities for college graduates in Texas. Some of the state's top employers include Amazon, Facebook, Capital One, AT&T, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, ExxonMobil, and JP Morgan Chase.

Given all this, we've identified several popular occupations in Texas that are predicted to grow faster than the 5% national average. These jobs require only a bachelor's degree. Salary data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

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In general, salaries in Texas are comparable to the national mean of $61,900. For example, the mean annual salary for the Dallas-Fort Worth area is $61,160, for Houston $60,560, for Austin and Round Rock $63,890, and for San Antonio $54,060. However, the cost of living index for Texas is 94.2 — somewhat lower than the national index of 100 — which may help extend those salaries a bit further.

FAQs About Online Colleges in Texas