Houston Community College

Yes, HCC has several online degrees and certifications at the undergraduate level. HCC has 40 online degree programs that can be completed entirely online or in hybrid formats. In regard to distance learning, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 49% of undergraduate students at HCC are solely enrolled in online courses at this school. 

You may consider HCC a good school based on its accreditation status. Accredited postsecondary colleges and universities meet the requirements to deliver undergraduate and graduate programs. Having accreditation separates HCC from online community colleges that award degrees that may not be legitimate. 

HCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctorate degrees, and certificates. 

At OnlineU, we only include accredited online colleges and universities on our site. 

Low Online Tuition Rates

According to HCC, it is one of the most affordable colleges in the country. The community college states that they offer the lowest tuition rates in the nation for online programs. 

Largest Community College in the Houston Community College System

According to the school's website, HCC’s online college is the largest in the Houston Community College System. With this in mind, prospective students may be able to meet and interact with more distance learners at HCC compared to other online colleges. 

High Online Student Retention and Graduation

According to HCC’s website, a study by the Boston Consulting Group revealed that online students at the community college were more likely to stay in school and finish their programs faster than students taking traditional, face-to-face classes.

Support for Students with Learning Disabilities

Over the past decade, HCC has been awarded grants and received recognition for providing postsecondary education opportunities to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In fact, the community college was named a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board STAR Award Finalist in 2015 for its efforts to improve the learning experience for students with learning disabilities. For online students with learning disabilities, HCC may be a good option for them.

At HCC, four online undergraduate degrees provide the highest median earnings for graduates, according to federal data from College Scorecard. These online associate degrees include the following: 

(1) Registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research, and clinical nursing at $81,900

(2) Engineering science at $73,900

(3) Dental support services and allied professions at $63,300

(4) Allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions at $63,000 

Within these majors, prospective students may pursue online associate degrees, like an Associate of Science or an Associate of Science in Engineering Science, which is a hybrid program.  

HCC has the highest median salary scores for three online associate degree fields of study. These fields of study include business administration, management, and operations; (2) liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities; and (3) accounting and related services. OnlineU’s proprietary Salary Score ranks colleges by how much their alums earn compared to other graduates across the country with the same degree.

The acceptance rate at HCC is 100%. When an institution has a 100% acceptance rate, this means that it has an open admissions policy. If students meet the minimum requirements and submit a complete application, they will be accepted into one of HCC’s online programs. 

According to the Houston Community College System, a GPA of 2.5 — or at least 2.5 — in the last 60 semester credit hours is required for applying and admittance to one of these community colleges. HCC doesn’t provide any data on the admission test scores, such as the ACT and SAT, for students who are admitted into their programs. 

To be admitted into HCC’s online degree programs, prospective students must complete their online application process.

Here is the checklist for applying to HCC’s online school:

• Submit an online application.
• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application to be considered for financial aid.
• Complete the school's onboarding and pre-enrollment checklists.
• Submit official and unofficial transcripts and any transfer credits.