In 2015, Texas set a goal to get 60% of residents to hold a college certificate or degree by 2030. Online colleges in Texas can help the state meet its goal. Many Texas online colleges offer programs fully online. This format allows learners to complete coursework from anywhere.
Texas online degrees feature rigorous coursework and the same graduate outcomes as on-campus programs. Some programs require in-person experiences, such as labs or practicums.
We've ranked the best online colleges in Texas for their academic quality, affordability, and online resources.
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Best Online Colleges in Texas 2025
#1 Best Online Colleges in Texas 2025
Lamar University
- Beaumont, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Lamar University stands out for its affordability and flexibility. It is known for meticulously designed online programs emphasizing student and professor communication. With 22 online degrees, five hybrid degrees, and 44 online master's degrees, you can choose from synchronous and asynchronous programs to meet any scheduling and availability needs.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $259
Out of State | $669
Why Students Choose LU:
- Flexible Course Lengths: Choose from five-week, eight-week, and 15-week courses to fit your preferred timeline.
- Low Tuition: Both in-state and out-of-state tuition is lower than the national average.
- Self-Paced Courses: Many programs allow you to study on your schedule.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Hybrid Programs: A few programs require in-person coursework or labs.
- No Test Scores: You do not need to submit SAT or ACT scores for admissions.
Percent Online Enrollment
81%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 Best Online Colleges in Texas 2025
Sam Houston State University
- Huntsville, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Sam Houston State University in Huntsville stands out for its flexible degree options, with 22 online bachelor's degree majors, 40 minors, and over 20 online master's degrees. With significant in-state cost benefits, SHSU offers flexible class schedules to allow working adults to earn degrees.
Cost per Semester:
In State | $5,685
Out of State | $11,835
Why Students Choose SHSU:
- Strong Online Community: You'll get access to solid networking opportunities, including exciting connections with students, educators, and experts worldwide.
- Simplicity and Focus: SHSU educators specialize in creating optimized online learning experiences to help you focus on learning when it works for you.
- Low Costs: Sam provides significant scholarships, loans, grants, and low tuition to help you save more.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Low Graduation Rates: With a 55% graduation rate, many students don't complete their degree within 150% of the normal time.
- Scholarships: You can access many scholarships, but you must be accepted at SHSU before applying for them.
Percent Online Enrollment
67%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 Best Online Colleges in Texas 2025
Stephen F Austin State University
- Nacogdoches, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches features unique degree offerings and student outcomes. SFA has 13 online undergraduate and 21 online graduate degrees, including sustainability, sports business, and a BS in deaf and hard of hearing. The university reports that, of the 2022 graduating class, nearly 90% experienced positive career outcomes within six months of graduation.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $584
Out of State | $994
Why Students Choose SFA:
- Career Preparation: Graduates report high career success. In 2022, graduates reported an average starting salary of $44,393.
- Flexibility: SFA's flexible degree programs can make education accessible to more students.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Test Scores for Acceptance: Test score requirements vary by your class rank. There's no minimum test score if you're in the top 25% of your graduating class.
- Low Graduation Rates: Just 52% of students graduate within 150% of the average program time.
Percent Online Enrollment
77%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 Best Online Colleges in Texas 2025
University of North Texas
- Denton, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
University of North Texas offers about 90 degrees and certificates in 1,824 online courses. You can choose from synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid course options. UNT also provides online learners with access to a network of 150,000 online students.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $280
Out of State | $690
Why Students Choose UNT:
- High-Quality Education: According to the Carnegie Classification, UNT is a tier-one research university with many highly-ranked degree programs.
- Scholarships: UNT awards more than $70 million in scholarships each year.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Military Support: UT's Military Student Success Center can support you through entry into an online degree while maximizing VA benefits.
- Transfer Support: Enrollment counselors can help you understand transfer credit options and get the most out of transfer credits.
Percent Online Enrollment
65%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 Best Online Colleges in Texas 2025
West Texas A & M University
- Canyon, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
West Texas A&M University stands out for its comprehensive career programs, externship opportunities, and flexible payment plans. You can choose from 14 online bachelor's and 26 online master's degrees. WT reports that graduates earn an average salary of $44,328, rising to $56,631 after five years.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $218
Out of State | $654
Why Students Choose WT:
- No-Cost Textbooks: WT provides free textbooks and other educational resources to students.
- Financial Support: Current and prospective students can access the ECU Buff $mart financial literacy program to make smart college financial decisions.
- Strong Academics: Many undergraduate and graduate programs rank nationally for strong academic performance and learning outcomes.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Acceptance: You must be in the top 30% of your high school class, have a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA, or meet test score minimums for admission.
- Graduation Rate: The graduation rate is just 47%.
Percent Online Enrollment
68%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#6 Best Online Colleges in Texas 2025
Texas Tech University
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Texas Tech University is known for its reputation of excellence and impressive 86% retention rate. The university offers over 100 degrees and certificates, plus 27 fully online bachelor's degrees. Unique degrees include renewable energy, soil science, biology, and anthropology.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $265
Out of State | $673
Why Students Choose Texas Tech:
- University Network: As a student, you can access more than 40 online degree programs through Texas Tech's network of universities.
- Unique Degrees: TTU has degrees not commonly offered online, such as renewable energy, addiction recovery, leadership studies, or personal finance.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Competitive Tuition: In-state tuition is significantly lower than the national average.
- On-Campus Requirements: Some programs have on-campus labs or hybrid requirements at specific Texas Tech locations.
Percent Online Enrollment
63%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#7 Best Online Colleges in Texas 2025
Parker University
- Dallas, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
What Sets It Apart:
Parker University offers nine online bachelor's degree programs and eight graduate degrees in science, business, education, and health-related disciplines. The university prides itself on diversity and stands out for its impressive student retention and high 72% overall graduation rate.
Cost per Credit:
In State | $728
Out of State | $728
Why Students Choose Parker:
- Student Experience: Parker University boasts a 100% retention rate for full-time and part-time students pursuing bachelor's degrees.
- Low Out-of-State Tuition: Parker University's tuition is some of the lowest available for out-of-state students.
Know Before You Enroll:
- Financial Aid: Parker University offers strong financial aid packages, including various academic and financial scholarships to help you fund your education. However, total awards are lower than those of other colleges.
- Small Size: Parker University has a total enrollment of just over 2,000.
Acceptance Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
25%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
At Affordable Colleges Online, we use a proprietary ranking system and data from reputable sources like the U.S. Department of Education to help you find the best school for your needs. Our most important metric — affordability — accounts for 60% of our formula. We also consider academic quality, program offerings, online enrollment, and graduation rates.
This list is from 2025. To learn more, consult our school ranking methodology.
Price Check
Texas has the country's fifth-most affordable community college tuition, with an average annual tuition of $2,949 for the 2022-2023 school year. Many colleges on this list also have in-state tuition well below the national average.
Why Get an Online Degree?
- Online degrees give you the flexibility to earn a degree from anywhere.
- Many online degrees offer self-paced formats and asynchronous workloads.
- Online learners often pay less for their college education than traditional on-campus students.
- A degree can boost your salary potential, qualify you for leadership positions, or help you switch careers.
- An online bachelor's degree qualifies you to earn a master's degree.
What Is the Cost of Attending an Online College in Texas?
Finding an affordable online college in Texas shouldn't be too difficult. On average, Texas students attending in-state public schools spend around $1,000 less on their education than students in other states. Texas students pay an average of $8,678 annually.
Out-of-state students at the same public schools pay significantly more. Fortunately, over half of college graduates in Texas earn a degree without debt.
Online students can lower their education expenses by exploring financial aid options. In general, online students qualify for the same aid as on-campus students.
The federal government awards grants and loans to learners whose FAFSA results show financial need. And you can also apply for private scholarships.
Cost of College in Texas in 2021
| Institution Type |
Average Tuition & Required Fees |
| Public 4-year (in-state) |
$8,016 |
| Public 4-year (out-of-state) |
$25,419 |
| Private 4-year |
$37,451 |
| Public 2-year (in-state) |
$2,859 |
| Public 2-year (out-of-state) |
$7,913 |
Source: NCES
Accreditation for Online Colleges in Texas
Accreditation ensures that colleges offer students the best educational experience. The top online colleges in Texas are regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This organization evaluates every college and university throughout the southern United States.
Schools with online programs should also have national accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
Some online programs feature programmatic accreditation that evaluates specific departments. You can check the Council for Higher Education Accreditation for programmatic accreditation agencies relevant to your degree.
The Highest-Paying Jobs in Texas
Everything, as they say, is bigger in Texas. The 12 jobs listed below earn the biggest salaries in Texas.
Cardiologists currently earn the most, with an annual salary of $413,510. Other top-earning careers in Texas include pediatric surgeons, ophthalmologists, and chief executives.
You'll need at least a bachelor's degree (and likely extensive medical training) to land one of the 12 highest-paying jobs in Texas.
12 Highest-Paying Jobs in Texas
| Job |
Annual Mean Wage |
| Cardiologists |
$413,510 |
| Pediatric Surgeons |
$365,130 |
| Ophthalmologists |
$338,400 |
| Surgeons |
$331,980 |
| Chief Executives |
$314,060 |
| Anesthesiologists |
$298,710 |
| Radiologists |
$297,320 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists |
$294,250 |
| Physicians |
$276,750 |
| Pediatricians |
$250,850 |
| Neurologists |
$235,780 |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers |
$212,940 |
Source: BLS
The Most In-Demand Jobs in Texas
You have a good chance of landing a job in Texas, especially with a college degree. The Lone Star State is projected to add 1.7 million new jobs from 2018-2028.
The construction industry will add the most jobs— particularly for electricians, supervisors in construction, construction managers, and plumbers. Texas's other top four in-demand industries include manufacturing, agriculture and forestry, healthcare and social assistance, and educational services.
The table below, with data sourced from the Texas Workforce Commission, outlines the top occupations in each of the fastest-growing industries in Texas.
Five In-Demand Texas Job Industries
| Top Industries |
Top Occupations Within the Industry |
| Construction |
|
| Manufacturing |
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and
- Operating Workers
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
- Machinists
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
|
| Agriculture and Forestry |
- Farmers, Ranchers, and Agricultural Managers
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
- Logging Equipment Operators
|
| Healthcare and Social Assistance |
- Registered Nurses
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
|
| Educational Services |
|
Source: Texas Workforce Commission
Frequently Asked Questions About College in Texas
All the colleges featured in our ranking offer fully online degrees — including the University of Texas, the University of Houston, and Lone Star College.
In general, many colleges in Texas offer fully online or hybrid degrees, but the availability of virtual classes depends on your subject area.
Not all online colleges hold accreditation, but legitimate ones will.
You want to look for online colleges with institutional or programmatic accreditation from an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education.
Accreditation determines your ability to receive federal financial aid, qualify for graduate school, and earn employment.
No, you don't need to live in Texas to attend a Texas college online. Online colleges in Texas often admit students who live anywhere in the country and sometimes internationally.
That said, you may pay different tuition rates depending on where you live and the college's tuition structure.
Texas A&M offers "distance degrees" in 13 schools and colleges. Some of the programs Texas A&M students can complete online are in engineering, architecture, agriculture, government, business, and education.
The distance learning division at Texas A&M features one undergraduate degree, 64 graduate programs, and 50 certificates.
Yes, you can expect the same education and rigorous curriculum in online colleges. Online colleges may also feature the same faculty who teach on campus.
Employers recognize online degrees earned from institutionally accredited colleges. And your online degree certificate will not look any different from an on-campus degree certificate.
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