2023 Best Online Community Colleges in Texas

Austin Community College District (ACC) is a public college with more than 100 online certificate and degree programs. The most popular programs include the Associate of Arts in General Studies and Associate of Science in Business Administration degrees. For many programs, students can choose a fully online option or a hybrid model with some in-person classes. About 11% of the college's students graduate within three years.

The college's online students sign into the Blackboard learning management system to complete coursework. ACC is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution, with Hispanic or Latinx students composing 39% of the student body. In all, 72% of enrollees study on a part-time basis.

Tarrant County College District (TCC), a public institution, features ten online associate degrees and 24 online certificates. These programs include some of the college's most popular offerings, such as its Business I and Business II certificates and its information technology associate degrees with concentrations in cybersecurity or programming. TCC has a 19% graduation rate.

This school uses the Canvas digital learning platform to deliver online courses. TCC is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution; Hispanic or Latinx students form the largest single group of enrollees at 35%. Eighty percent of TCC students study part time.

Navarro College is a public community college that offers many online certificates and associate degree programs. Some of the college's most popular programs are available online, such as the Associate of Arts in General Studies and Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration degrees. One in five Navarro students ends up graduating with a degree or certificate.

The college uses the Canvas learning platform to host online courses, including recorded lectures, discussion forums, readings, and assignments. Classes are fully online and asynchronous, so students can complete them at convenient times. In all, 64% of Navarro students take a part-time course schedule.

Odessa College is a public institution with a number of online education programs. These online offerings include an Associate of Arts in General Studies degree, which is the most popular program at the college. Other virtual options with relatively high enrollment include certificates in business leadership, small business management, criminal justice, and criminal justice leadership. Odessa has a 23% overall graduation rate.

The college uses the Blackboard LMS to deliver online courses. Classes may be synchronous or asynchronous, depending on the program. Odessa is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution, with nearly two-thirds of students identifying as Hispanic or Latinx people.

The public Blinn College features a variety of online associate degrees and certificates, including some of the school's most popular programs. Common choices include an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree, as well as associate degrees in accounting, criminal justice, and business. The college's 15% graduation rate is less than the 30% median rate for two-year colleges nationwide.

Blinn's online students use the eCampus LMS to view course materials and submit assignments. The college is fairly evenly split between full-time and part-time students, with 53% taking a full course load.

Lone Star College System (LSC) is a public university offering online courses, undergraduate certificates, and associate degrees. LSC specializes in associate programs with majors in civil engineering, computer programming, and health information technology, each requiring 60 credits. Full-time students may graduate in approximately two years. The acceptance rate at LSC is 100%, with 17% of students graduating.

The learning management system at LSC is Brightspace, where students can study online with optional synchronous and asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 21-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online students can use technology support, tutoring, and career services such as resume building, interview practice, and job searching. LSC is known for serving a diverse student body. According to internal data from the fall of 2022, 44% of students were Hispanic, and nearly 12,000 were over 30 years old.

Grayson College (GC) is a public institution with online courses, certificates, and associate degrees. Associate degrees are available in office and computer technology, child development, and criminal justice, among other areas. A minimum of 60 credits is required to meet general education and major requirements. Full-time students may graduate in two years. GC has a 100% acceptance rate, with 30% of students graduating.

GC's online learning management system is Canvas. Coursework is completed entirely online. The student-to-faculty ratio is 21-1. GC students are eligible for financial aid and scholarships. Online students can access academic and career advising, bookstores, counseling services, a technology help desk, and tutoring. GC is known for utilizing the FollettACCESS program to charge students a flat per-credit rate for online textbooks. This software also gives students access to all course materials instantly upon enrollment.

McLennan Community College (MCC) is a public school with online certificates and associate degrees. Associate degrees may require between 60 and 62 credits. Majors include psychology, business administration, real estate, and over 20 additional majors. Full-time students may complete all the necessary coursework in approximately two years. MCC accepts 100% of applicants and has a graduation rate of 21%.

Brightspace is the learning platform MCC students use to learn entirely online through synchronous and asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14-1. Students may use financial aid to pay for online courses. Scholarships are also available. Academic and career advising is available through Zoom video appointments. MCC is known for the abundance of individual classes and skills training it offers online. Through Ed2Go, MCC offers dozens of specialized courses and certificates in project management, sign language, grant writing, legal nurse consulting, and more.

Houston Community College (HCC) is a public university offering online undergraduate certificates and associate degrees. Associate programs feature majors in history, interdisciplinary studies, computer information systems, psychology, and more. These degrees require 60 credits that full-time students may complete in approximately two years. The acceptance rate at HCC is 100%, with 18% of students graduating.

The learning management system at HCC is Canvas, where students can study online and asynchronously. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available to part-time and full-time students. Support services include academic advisors and mental health counselors, a career hub for job searching, and virtual tutoring. HCC is known for its online workforce programs providing specialized career training for unemployed students, such as accounting, computer programming, and real estate.

Del Mar College (DMC) is a public institution with hundreds of online courses that work toward an associate degree. Associate-level coursework is available in accounting, English, government, and Spanish. A minimum of 60 credits are generally required to meet graduation requirements. Full-time students may earn this in two years. DMC has an open admission policy, with 24% of students graduating with degrees.

DMC's online learning management system is Canvas. Coursework is completed entirely online, with most delivered asynchronously. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11-1. Students are eligible for financial aid, and various scholarships are available. Online students can schedule virtual walk-in counseling sessions and online tutoring sessions. DMC is known for having an excellent cost-to-earning ratio. Its tuition costs are $3,300 lower than the midpoint for other colleges, while its graduate's median earnings are $400 higher.

St Philip's College (SPC) is a public school with online associate degrees and certificates. Associate degrees require 60 credits. Major examples include science, teaching, and health information technology. Full-time students may complete all the necessary coursework in approximately two years. SPC has an acceptance rate of 100% and a graduation rate of 16%.

Canvas is the learning platform for SPC students, where they can learn online through synchronous and asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 20-1. Students may apply for financial aid and scholarships. Online academic support, technology troubleshooting assistance, and orientation to online learning are available. SPC is known for its diversity as a historically Black college and Hispanic-serving institution.

Amarillo College (AC) is a public institution with online associate degrees and certificates. Associate degrees are 60 credits and feature majors in general studies, business administration, business management, and criminal justice. Full-time students with no transfer credits can graduate in two years. AC accepts 100% of applicants and has a 30% graduation rate.

Angel is the learning management system that delivers asynchronous classes through AC Online. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18-1. Financial aid and scholarship options are available. Online tutoring services and academic advisors are also available. AC is known for its specialized medical technologist degrees, such as the online associate degree in radiation therapy. According to the school's internal data, 90% of medical laboratory technologists in the Texas Panhandle were trained at AC.

Tyler Junior College (TJC) is a public college with online certificates, associate and bachelor's degrees. Most programs are at the associate level and require 60 credits with economics, healthcare administration, and business majors. These credits are designed to be transferred to a 4-year university. Full-time students can graduate in two years. TJC accepts 100% of applicants and has a 24% graduation rate.

Canvas is the learning management system TJC uses to deliver its flexible online classes. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18-1. Financial aid and scholarship options are available. Online students receive academic advising, test proctoring, tutoring, technology assistance, counseling, and library services. These resources make it easy for students to attend college for the first time. According to the school's internal data from 2021, 50% of its student body were first-generation college graduates.

San Antonio College (SAC) is a public university offering online business certificates, associate degrees, and pre-major programs. Popular majors include computer programming, real estate management, and social work, among other areas. Associate-level programs require a minimum of 60 credits which full-time students may complete in approximately two years. The acceptance rate at SAC is 100%, with 20% of students graduating.

The learning management system at SAC is Canvas, where students can study online via synchronous and asynchronous formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 25-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Online students can take advantage of tutoring and technical support. According to internal data, SAC is one of the largest single-campus community colleges nationwide, awarding over 5,000 degrees and certificates annually.

South Texas College (STC) is a public institution with online certificates, associate degrees, and baccalaureate degrees. Associate degrees are available in various popular majors, including political science, accounting, social work, and computer science. A minimum of 60 credits are required to meet core curriculum and major requirements. Full-time students may complete these degrees in two years. STC has a 100% acceptance rate, with 31% of students graduating.

STC's online learning management system is Blackboard. Coursework is completed entirely online and through flexible schedules. The student-to-faculty ratio is 23-1. Students are eligible to apply for financial aid and various scholarship funds. Online services include tutoring and a variety of student success workshops covering time management, academic concepts, and note-taking. STC is known as the only community college in Texas to offer five online baccalaureate degrees. These majors include computer and information technologies, operations management, organizational leadership, nursing, and medical and health services management.

Palo Alto College (PAC) is a public school with online certificates and associate degrees. Applied science associate degrees require 60 credits and include majors such as business management, computer support specialist, and administrative assistant. Full-time students may complete all the necessary coursework in approximately two years. PAC has an open admissions policy accepting 100% of applicants and a graduation rate of 18%.

Canvas is the learning platform PAC students use to learn entirely online through flexible formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 32-1. Students may use financial aid, and over 30 scholarships can be applied for using a single online application. Counseling, academic support, and career services are also available. PAC is known for its online associate-level teaching degrees where students can study to become teachers and school administrators or specialize in special education.

Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) is a public school with online certificates and associate degrees. Associate degrees require 60 credits and feature majors such as accounting, criminal justice, and general business. Full-time students may complete all the necessary coursework in approximately two years. TVCC has an acceptance rate of 100% and a graduation rate of 19%.

Canvas is the learning platform TVCC students use to learn entirely online. Coursework is delivered in two ways: synchronously and asynchronously. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14-1. Financial aid and scholarships are available. Students can meet with academic advisors online to discuss virtual classroom issues, program guidance, and career advice. TVCC is known for its unique online majors at the associate level, which includes athletic training, legal assistant technology, robotics technology, and biomedical sciences.

Northwest Vista College (NVC) is a public institution with online certificates and associate degrees. Each associate degree requires 60 credits and with majors in community health worker, network administrator, and network and cloud architecture. There's also an associate of science and associate of arts degree. Full-time students with no transfer credits can graduate in two years. NVC accepts 100% of applicants and has a 26% graduation rate.

Canvas is the learning management system NVC uses to deliver its flexible online classes. The student-to-faculty ratio is 32-1. Financial aid and scholarship options are available. Online students receive 24/7 Canvas support and tutoring services in math, English, writing, business computer technology, and more. NVC graduates are known for having a higher earnings rate than other similar schools. Alums earn median annual salaries of $42,000, just over $2,000 higher than the midpoint for other 2-year colleges.

Central Texas College (CTC) is a public university offering online certificates and associate degrees. CTC specializes in business and technology programs with associate majors such as business management, computer science, and network cloud support and cybersecurity. Full-time students may complete a minimum of 60 credits in approximately two years. The acceptance rate is 100%, with 14% of students graduating.

The learning management system at CTC is Blackboard, where students can study entirely online. Coursework is typically synchronous with required meeting times; however, some are self-paced. The student-to-faculty ratio is 13-1. Students can apply for over 180 CTC Foundation scholarships along with financial aid. Services include technical support, writing and math labs, and tutoring for various subjects. CTC is known for its online continuing education programs and individual classes for professional development, career training, and professional enrichment. Courses include grant writing, Quickbooks, project management fundamentals, and creating WordPress websites.

Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC) is a public institution with online courses that work toward an associate degree. Subject areas include US history, microeconomics, principles of accounting, and business computer applications. In general, associate degrees require a minimum of 60 credits which full-time students may complete in two years. NTCC has a 100% acceptance rate, with 26% of students graduating with degrees.

NTCC's online learning management system is Blackboard, with coursework completed entirely online in 16-week formats. The student-to-faculty ratio is 17-1. Students are eligible for financial aid, and various scholarships are available. There is academic advising, technology support, and complimentary tutoring services. NTCC is known for its online dual-credit courses, allowing high school students to earn credits online before college transfer.

Panola College is a public school with online associate degrees requiring 60 credits. Majors include computer information technology, medical laboratory technician, office professional, and others. Full-time students may complete coursework in approximately two years. Panola has an open admissions policy and a graduation rate of 29%.

Canvas is the learning platform Panola students use to learn entirely online through flexible schedules. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14-1. Students may use financial aid and scholarships to pay for their coursework. Student services during distance learning include LMS training, virtual libraries, and technical support. Panola is known for its affordability. Its average annual cost is $5,400, which is $10,800 less expensive than other certificate schools.

Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) is a public institution with online certificates and associate degrees. The latter may require up to 60 credits and feature majors such as accounting, real estate, and criminal justice. Full-time students with no transfer credits can graduate in two years. LIT accepts 100% of applicants and has a 29% graduation rate.

Blackboard is the learning management system LIT. Courses are delivered entirely online, some of which are asynchronous. The student-to-faculty ratio is 21-1. Financial aid and scholarship options are available. Online tutoring and academic support are also available. LIT is known for its online workforce training and continuing education courses, which include certification programs in telehealth and claims processing, as well as corporate training in leadership and communication.

College of the Mainland (COM) is a public university offering online certificates and associate degrees. There are four associate programs with majors in business, criminal justice, general studies, and management, each requiring 60 credits. Full-time students may graduate in approximately two years. The acceptance rate at COM is 100%, with 28% of students graduating.

Brightspace is the learning management system at COM, where students can entirely study online. The student-to-faculty ratio is 14-1. Financial aid is available, and several scholarships can be applied for using one online application. Online students can take advantage of remote tutoring sessions with live support. COM is known for its online career training courses and certifications in construction, hospitality, healthcare, business, and information technology.