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2023 Best Online Community Colleges in Texas

By OnlineU Staff Writers | Updated 7/20/2023

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Online community colleges in Texas offer a variety of programs for students who want to enter the workforce quickly or work toward a bachelor's degree at a relatively low cost. These colleges primarily feature online certificate programs and associate degrees, though some also have bachelor's degree programs. The potential benefits of online community college include affordability, diverse student makeup, a wide range of majors to choose from, and open admissions policies to help students get their start. Public community colleges in Texas are part of the Texas Association of Community Colleges, which works to promote associate-level education throughout the state. 

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#1 Austin Community College District

  • Salary Score: 78
  • Online Enrollment: 5,227
  • Locations: Austin (and 2 others)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#2 Tarrant County College District

  • Salary Score: 78
  • Online Enrollment: 5,920
  • Locations: Fort Worth
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#3 Navarro College

  • Salary Score: 66
  • Online Enrollment: 1,651
  • Locations: Corsicana (and 2 others)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#4 Odessa College

  • Salary Score: 64
  • Online Enrollment: 1,818
  • Locations: Odessa
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#5 Blinn College

  • Salary Score: 63
  • Online Enrollment: 2,136
  • Locations: Brenham
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#6 Lone Star College System

  • Salary Score: 62
  • Online Enrollment: 11,308
  • Locations: The Woodlands (and 6 others)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#7 Grayson College

  • Salary Score: 60
  • Online Enrollment: 515
  • Locations: Denison
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#8 McLennan Community College

  • Salary Score: 60
  • Online Enrollment: 1,725
  • Locations: Waco
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#9 Houston Community College

  • Salary Score: 59
  • Online Enrollment: 7,083
  • Locations: Houston (and 3 others)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#10 Del Mar College

  • Salary Score: 57
  • Online Enrollment: 2,133
  • Locations: Corpus Christi
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#11 St Philip's College

  • Salary Score: 50
  • Online Enrollment: 3,414
  • Locations: San Antonio
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#12 Amarillo College

  • Salary Score: 49
  • Online Enrollment: 2,683
  • Locations: Amarillo (and 2 others)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#13 Tyler Junior College

  • Salary Score: 48
  • Online Enrollment: 1,233
  • Locations: Tyler
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#14 San Antonio College

  • Salary Score: 39
  • Online Enrollment: 3,947
  • Locations: San Antonio
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#15 South Texas College

  • Salary Score: 30
  • Online Enrollment: 3,694
  • Locations: McAllen (and 2 others)
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#16 Palo Alto College

  • Salary Score: 29
  • Online Enrollment: 2,855
  • Locations: San Antonio
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#17 Trinity Valley Community College

  • Salary Score: 29
  • Online Enrollment: 1,549
  • Locations: Athens
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#18 Northwest Vista College

  • Salary Score: 26
  • Online Enrollment: 2,766
  • Locations: San Antonio
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#19 Central Texas College

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Online Enrollment: 7,720
  • Locations: Killeen
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#20 Northeast Texas Community College

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Online Enrollment: 777
  • Locations: Mount Pleasant
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#21 Panola College

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Online Enrollment: 706
  • Locations: Carthage
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#22 Lamar Institute of Technology

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Online Enrollment: 628
  • Locations: Beaumont
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

#23 College of the Mainland

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Online Enrollment: 424
  • Locations: Texas City
  • Accreditation: SACS COC

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.

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Overview of Online Community Colleges in Texas

As one of the most populous states, Texas features 117 two-year colleges that grant associate degrees, most of which also have professional certificate programs. Just over half of these are public schools that offer the benefits of community college at a lower cost to Texas residents. 

Many Texas community colleges offer online degrees for students who need flexible options to help them balance school with work and other responsibilities. The state government has also adopted programs to help students through its community college system, including an initiative to help them transfer community college credits to a four-year school. 

Online Study

Most two-year colleges have distance learning programs with asynchronous courses. These classes don't have live meetings; you sign in to an online learning management system to complete assignments, watch recorded lectures, and interact with classmates in forums.

However, some online programs may have synchronous elements, such as live meetings over video conference software or required laboratory assignments. 

Admission Requirements

Most Texas community colleges ask you to take the following steps when applying:

1

Complete an online application. Public colleges typically use the ApplyTexas system.

2

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which helps schools find your financial aid eligibility — see Financial Aid for Texas Community College Students for more details.

3

Request that your official high school or GED transcripts are sent to the college. There are no minimum GPA requirements, but enrollment counselors may use your GPA to help you pick online classes.

4

(Public schools only) Submit proof of meningitis vaccination if you're under 22 years old.

Should You Attend Community College in Texas?

You should attend community college in Texas if you're looking for a low-cost way to start your college experience. Beyond the price tag, there are many potential benefits to community colleges, including small class sizes, part-time degree plans, and greater cultural diversity.

Keep in mind that the way to maximize community college savings is to attend a school in your local district. These schools offer in-district tuition rates to nearby residents because they already pay local taxes that help fund the college.

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts claims that the most popular subject area at public community colleges is the liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities, though the latest data is from the 2017-2018 school year. This is a common major for community college students because it lets them take easily transferable general education courses before transferring to a four-year college or university for a bachelor's degree.

Many Texas students also pursue associate degrees and certificates in healthcare-related fields. This mirrors the rising popularity of healthcare degrees over the last decade.

Cost of Online Community Colleges in Texas

Public community college prices have a fairly narrow range in Texas, though private institutions have more discretion to charge what they please. The state initiative College for All Texans keeps a helpful list of costs at the state's public community colleges. Here are the annual tuition and fee ranges for different categories of online students:

  • In-district residents: $1,773-4,600
  • Out-of-district Texas residents: $3,266-8,580
  • Out-of-state residents: $3,873-14,122

Financial Aid for Texas Community College Students

Financial aid is an important consideration for college students. Most enrollees take out some loans to help finance a degree, but it's worth applying for all the gift aid you can. These forms of aid include scholarships, grants, and work-study programs, all of which can help reduce your future student loan debt.

Texas' public community colleges require you to complete a FAFSA with your application, which can help you qualify for federal or state aid. If you have undocumented immigration status, you can't submit the FAFSA but can still apply for state funding through the Texas Application for State Financial Aid. State aid includes the following grants for Texas residents:

The award for students at public community colleges is $1,707 per semester. Students must meet various academic and coursework requirements to qualify.

You can receive $3,497 to $5,246 per year to pursue your first associate degree. Applicants must be enrolled at least "3/4 time" and demonstrate financial need.

This is another need-based grant and requires applicants to register for the Selective Service, if applicable. 

Careers for Texas Community College Graduates

An online associate degree might help you gain an entry-level position in Texas. The most popular industries in the state included healthcare, education, and insurance in the 2017-2022 period, according to the analytics company Lightcast. For the same period, top employers included mainly healthcare companies, along with the Texas state government.

Below, we've listed a few jobs that certificate or associate degree graduates might qualify for. All salary and job outlook data are specific to Texas and come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Texas Occupational Employment and Wages Estimates page and Projections Central.

Computer User Support Specialists

Annual Median Salary:  $57,910
Job Growth Rate: 6%

Computer support specialists carry out information technology (IT) support tasks for a range of organizations, with computer user specialists concentrating on troubleshooting colleagues' tech problems. They might be able to enter this field with an associate degree in computer science, IT, or network administration.

Medical Record and Health Information Specialists

Annual Median Salary:  $46,660
Job Growth Rate: 7%

Medical records and health information specialists ensure that patient information remains updated, accurate, and confidential. Community colleges often have medical billing and coding certificate and associate degree programs.

Preschool Teachers

Annual Median Salary:  $30,210
Job Growth Rate: 15%

Preschool teachers educate children under the age of 5, working with them to develop basic communication, reading, and writing skills. They need at least an associate degree, with early childhood education being the most common major.

Registered Nurses

Annual Median Salary:  $77,600
Job Growth Rate: 6%

Registered nurses (RNs) provide patient care across the whole spectrum of medical facilities. Many nurses attend an associate degree in nursing program at a community college before earning their RN.

FAQs About Online Community Colleges in Texas

Can You Get a Degree Totally Online?


Yes, some Texas community colleges have fully online associate degree programs that don't require you to step into a classroom. Most of these are asynchronous, but others have some live meetings that students must attend over video apps.

What Texas Colleges Are Online?


Our rankings list above is a good place to start. Many more community colleges offer online degrees and certificates beyond these schools; see College Navigator if you're looking for ideas.

Does Texas Offer Free Community College?


Some Texas programs work with high schools in specific parts of the state to cover 100% of tuition and fees for eligible students. Qualifying students need to have a certain level of financial need.

These are the three promise programs that can help pay for Texas community colleges:

  • The AlamoPROMISE program pays tuition and fees for up to three for students from participating high schools who attend one of five community colleges in the Alamo district.
  • The Dallas County Promise covers tuition and fees for students from Dallas County high schools who attend one of 10 partner community colleges or universities.
  • The Harris County Promise is similar to the above programs but for schools in Harris County, which includes Houston. 

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