Best Online Colleges in Texas 2026
A college degree is key to success for many Americans, as many jobs require more than just a high school diploma. Higher education can create a serious financial investment, making affordability a key consideration for most students.
Texas ranks 12th in the country for affordable tuition and fees at public universities. Many of these schools provide financial aid and savings programs to help with the cost of education. We’ve ranked the best online colleges in Texas based on academic quality, affordability, and online resources. Explore the Lone Star State’s top schools in this in-depth guide.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Texas
Texas A&M University — Most Military-Friendly Online College
- College Station, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Dedicated Support Services for Military Members and Veterans
Texas A&M University (TAMU) offers 85 online graduate programs. The College of Engineering features the largest selection of programs, with 29 online degrees, including a master’s in artificial intelligence. Originally founded as a military institution, TAMU remains a military-friendly school, providing numerous financial and educational benefits for military-affiliated students and their families.
Estimated Total Annual Cost
In-State | $30,608
Out-of-State | $58,976
Why Students Choose TAMU:
- Military Support: Access tuition exemptions, credit for military experience, and federal and state aid programs, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
- Graduate Program Variety: Choose from 85 online graduate options in high-demand fields like engineering, business, and law.
Know Before You Enroll:
- TAMU’s online programs are limited to graduate and professional levels; the university does not currently offer online bachelor’s degrees.
- Military-affiliated students must meet specific service requirements to qualify for benefits.
- You may encounter additional Distance Education Differential Tuition charges ranging from $40-$550 per credit hour, depending on the program.
39%
$ 8,958
94%
$36,187
- Acceptance Rate
- 57%
- Students Enrolled
- 78,321
- Institution Type
- Public
Texas Tech University — Fastest Path to an Online Degree
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Variety of 8-week Course Options With Rolling Admissions and No Application fee
Texas Tech University (TTU) offers 59 online degree programs, including 18 accelerated options. Designed for working adults, these eight-week courses let you earn your degree faster and include a free microcredential. There are also opportunities to earn credit for work or life experience. TTU also offers a $10,000 degree completion program for eligible students near Dallas and El Paso.
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $415-$800
Out-of-State | $415-$800
Why Students Choose TTU:
- Finish Faster: Accelerated eight-week courses help you complete your degree sooner than traditional 16-week semesters.
- Career-Ready Skills: Online accelerated programs include a free microcredential highlighting your professional skills to employers.
- Flexible Completion Path: Earn credit for prior work and life experience to shorten your path to graduation.
Know Before You Enroll:
- The $10,000 degree completion program is available to students with at least 80 applicable credits who live near Dallas or El Paso.
- Accelerated online classes are asynchronous and do not include live lectures.
66%
$ 8,934
85%
$21,234
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Students Enrolled
- 40,757
- Institution Type
- Public
The University of Texas at El Paso — Top Public Research University Serving Hispanic Students
- El Paso, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Offers R1-level Degrees With a Commitment to Access and Representation
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) offers 28 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs backed by the prestige of an R1 Carnegie Classification — the highest designation for research activity. UTEP is also one of only 17 R1 universities designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), with 88% of its students identifying as Hispanic in fall 2023. Degree programs are available in education, business, liberal arts, engineering, and nursing.
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $370-$548
Out-of-State | $886-$1,076
Why Students Choose UTEP:
- Research Prestige: As an R1 institution, you may have the opportunity to learn from distinguished faculty and gain a competitive edge for both career advancement and admission to top graduate programs.
- HSI Institution: UTEP’s HSI designation reflects its commitment to diversity and inclusion, offering a supportive environment for Hispanic and first-generation students.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Certain fully online programs offered by UTEP may not be available in all states.
- Tuition costs significantly more for out-of-state students.
47%
$ 7,704
77%
$23,472
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Students Enrolled
- 24,351
- Institution Type
- Public
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley — Best Online University for Bilingual Degree Pathways
- Edinburg, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: Supports Spanish-English Fluency Across Various Programs and Offers a Pathway to Earn a Bilingual Seal on Transcript
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers over 45 fully online degree programs across the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, with flexible 16- and 8-week sessions. You can pursue a bilingual pathway that integrates Spanish-English fluency and cultural competency, culminating in a bilingual seal and tangible career advantages.
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $416-$473
Out-of-State | $821-$866
Why Students Choose UTRGV:
- Bilingual Advantage: Earn a bilingual seal by taking designated courses, potentially enhancing cognitive skills, cultural awareness, and job competitiveness in a growing bilingual economy.
- Tuition Advantage Program: Covers the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees for Texas residents with a family income of $125,000 or less.
- Accelerated Options: Choose from 35 online graduate programs in accelerated eight-week formats.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Tuition is approximately twice as high for out-of-state undergraduate and graduate students.
- Earning the bilingual seal requires completing five designated courses within the bilingual pathway program.
67%
$ 7,857
81%
$20,007
- Acceptance Rate
- 94%
- Students Enrolled
- 33,881
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Houston — Best Flat-Rate Tuition for Out-of-State Students
- Houston, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This Superlative: UH Extend Program Offers a Flat Rate Tuition Regardless of Residency
The University of Houston (UH) offers nearly 60 online and hybrid programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Through its UH Extend initiative, you can earn fully online degrees and certificates with flat-rate tuition and no additional mandatory fees, making costs the same for in-state, out-of-state, and international students. UH also offers flexible online programs that blend online and on-campus classes for a more traditional experience.
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $409-$866
Out-of-State | $409-$866
Why Students Choose Houston:
- Flat Tuition: Fully online UH Extend programs charge the same tuition for all students, regardless of residency.
- Program Variety: Choose from fully online, hybrid, or on-campus course options to fit your schedule and learning style.
- Digital Textbooks: Undergraduate students in UH Extend can benefit from the Cougar Textbook Access Program (CTAP) to reduce textbook costs.
Know Before You Enroll:
- UH Extend students are not eligible for university-funded merit scholarships and have limited access to on-campus services.
- Fully online degree programs are currently limited to select schools, including business, engineering, liberal arts and social sciences, and global hospitality leadership.
- Flexible online and hybrid programs may cost more than UH Extend options.
68%
$10,856
87%
$26,894
- Acceptance Rate
- 74%
- Students Enrolled
- 47,980
- Institution Type
- Public
Price Check
Texas ranks 12th in the country for affordable public university tuition, with an average annual tuition of $8,195 for the 2022-2023 school year. Many colleges on this list also have in-state tuition well below the national average.
9 Fast-Growing Jobs in Texas
The fastest-growing jobs in Texas include engineering, healthcare, and data science. Demand for electronics engineers is high due to technological advances and the need for skills and expertise in complex electronic systems.
| Job | Projected Growth (2024-2034) | Annual Mean Wage in TX (May 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | 7% | $126,770 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 1% | $70,910 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 4% | $184,430 |
| Industrial Engineers | 11% | $112,250 |
| Biological Technicians | 3% | $49,850 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | 6% | $102,870 |
| Software Developers | 15% | $133,280 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 35% | $130,930 |
| Data Scientists | 34% | $114,800 |
Majors to Consider to Prepare for Texas’s Job Market
Choosing the right major is crucial. An in-demand major can help you land a job in popular fields in Texas, such as electronics engineering, software development, and nursing.
Electrical Engineering
Online electrical engineering programs offer a solid theoretical foundation and hands-on experience. This major can prepare you to pursue some of Texas’s fastest-growing jobs, including high-paying roles like electronics engineer and architectural and engineering manager.Finance
A finance degree can equip you with crucial skills for fast-growing and high-paying roles in Texas, such as financial and investment analysts. These skills include analytical, financial modeling, communication, and data analysis abilities.Computer Science
A computer science degree provides key skills for software development and data scientist careers. You can build a strong foundation in programming languages and methods crucial for creating and maintaining software applications. These programs also develop problem-solving and analytical skills.Nursing
Pursuing a nursing major is typically necessary for a master of science in nursing, which opens the door to becoming a nurse practitioner — one of the fastest-growing jobs in Texas.
What Is the Cost of College in Texas?
Students can find many affordable online colleges in Texas. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average cost of tuition and fees for in-state students was $8,195 annually as of 2023 — around 19% lower than the national average. For out-of-state students, tuition and fees reached $24,743 but remained below the national average.
As of 2024, almost half (49%) of Texas college students finish without debt, according to the Texas Public Higher Education Almanacs. Online students can explore financial aid options, qualifying for the same grants and scholarships as their on-campus peers.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition and Required Fees in TX | Average Tuition and Required Fees in the U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $8,195 | $9,750 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $24,743 | $28,297 |
| Private Four-Year | $40,142 | $35,248 |
Scholarships and Cost Savings for Online Colleges in Texas
Various sources of financial aid can cut the cost of college tuition in Texas. Scholarships are usually merit-based and do not require repayment. Grants, on the other hand, help students with financial need. The following section covers some notable scholarships available in Texas. Application deadlines may vary.
Abe and Annie Seibel Foundation
This foundation offers interest-free loans to U.S. citizens or Texas residents who graduated from Texas high schools. Applicants must be full-time students at accredited Texas colleges who plan to pursue bachelor’s degrees. Eligibility includes the top 10% class rank or minimum SAT/ACT scores. Apply by Feb. 28.
Don’t Mess with Texas
This scholarship, open to all Texas high school seniors planning to attend accredited Texas colleges, honors students who lead community litter prevention efforts. Applicants must submit essays on innovative solutions to litter issues. Two scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded. Apply by April 1.
SOAR Texas
This scholarship and mentoring program awards “First Females” — young women who are the first in their families to seek higher education or face challenges. Up to 20 students receive a $5,000 scholarship for one year. Apply by March 10.
Tuition Reciprocity Benefits for Out-of-State Students in Texas
Tuition reciprocity lets you attend colleges in participating states at reduced rates, often matching in-state tuition. These reduced rates can help you save money on your education as an out-of-state student. States that permit Texas residents to access reduced tuition are Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online College in Texas
Texas has 126 four-year nonprofit colleges and universities. This total includes 61 public institutions, like Galveston College, Lamar University, and Odessa College. There are also 65 private nonprofit colleges, such as Arlington Baptist University, Concordia University Texas, and Rice University.
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