Written by Genevieve Carlton and the OC Rankings Team, Edited by Tyler Epps
Updated Feb 9, 2024
The state of Texas houses hundreds of colleges and universities that offer on-campus and online learning options for traditional college students and working professionals alike.
From the panhandle to the Gulf Coast, Texas boasts a total of 218 degree-granting postsecondary institutions. According to data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 135 of these colleges award four-year degrees, while two-year colleges make up the remaining 83 schools.
The sections below detail higher education in Texas, including the best online colleges in the state. You'll also find important information on tuition breaks for out-of-state residents, college scholarships, and the current employment outlook for graduates.
Top Online Degrees & Programs in Texas
Ready to earn your degree online? Here are some of the most popular majors offered at online colleges in Texas.
Featured Online Programs
Business Administration
Business is a popular major for a reason. With a bachelor's in business, you'll qualify for high-paying careers.
For example, financial analysts make an average salary of $103,420 in Texas, according to May 2022 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Texas managers also report an average pay of nearly $120,000 per year.
Biology
Study living creatures and ecosystems as a biology major. With an online biology degree, you can become a researcher, teacher, or wildlife biologist.
In Texas, zoologists and wildlife biologists report an average salary of $60,920 (BLS, May 2022). Or use your degree as a stepping stone to med school or another graduate program.
Communications
Learn how to convey ideas as a communications major. During your bachelor's in communications, you can study journalism, public relations, or technical communication.
The tech boom in Texas means new opportunities for technical writers, who make an average annual salary of $79,200 (BLS, May 2022).
Computer Science
Computer science majors are in high demand. You'll study network architecture, cybersecurity, and programming languages during your computer science degree.
Turn your degree into a high-paying career by becoming a software developer. In Texas, software developers can expect an average pay of $117,440 per year (BLS, May 2022).
Criminal Justice
Explore criminal behavior, the court system, and law enforcement while earning your bachelor's in criminal justice online.
With a criminal justice degree, you'll qualify for federal law enforcement jobs as well as careers as a detective, probation officer, or private investigator. Texas detectives report an average salary of $82,990 (BLS, May 2022).
Education
Learn how to teach children and adults with a bachelor's in education. You can become a K-12 teacher in Texas with an online degree. Or work in early childhood education, adult education, or instructional design after graduation. As a Texas high school teacher, you can expect an average salary of $61,210 (BLS, May 2022).
Engineering
Study materials science and engineering principles while earning your engineering degree online. You can specialize in high-demand fields like aerospace or petroleum engineering at online colleges in Texas.
How much can you earn? Petroleum engineers report an average salary of $150,860 in Texas. You can work in this profession with just a bachelor's degree (BLS, May 2022).
English and Literature
Strengthen your writing and critical analysis skills with a bachelor's in English and literature. In addition to careers in writing or education, you can also use your strong communication skills to work in fields like public relations. In Texas, public relations specialists earn an average salary of $64,750 (BLS, May 2022).
Nursing
Take your nursing skills to the next level with an online BSN degree. You'll gain health assessment and patient care skills while taking specialized classes.
Registered nurses in Texas report high salaries. You can expect an average pay of $84,320 as a Texas RN (BLS, May 2022).
Psychology
Examine human behavior and abnormal psychology while earning your psychology degree online. You'll strengthen analytical, research, and critical thinking skills as a psych major. These in-demand skills can lead to careers in research, social services, business, or education.
For example, understanding human behavior can help you launch a career in marketing. In Texas, market research analysts earn an average wage of $69,720 (BLS, May 2022).
Recommended Reading
Overview of Online Colleges in Texas 2024
A Brief Overview of Higher Education in Texas
During the 2020-21 school year, the NCES reported that Texas contained 102 public schools, 68 nonprofit schools, and 48 for-profit schools. Although other states, like California, house a larger number of institutions, Texas boasts some of the highest enrollment numbers in the nation.NCES data shows that more than 1,600,000 individual students were enrolled at a higher education institution in Texas — including online schools in Texas — in 2020.Although college costs fluctuate from school to school and year to year, the NCES calculates averages that you can use for financial planning. For the 2020-21 school year, tuition and fees at public, four-year schools in Texas totaled an average cost of about $8,016, while two-year schools cost only $2,828.The National Association of State Student Grant & Aid Programs provides information related to need-based aid in the United States. For the 2020-21 school year, undergraduate students in Texas received roughly $950,000,000 in grants or work-study funding based only on need.
Higher Education in Texas 2024
The State of Online Higher Education in Texas
An online learning survey conducted by Bay View Analytics detailed college enrollment numbers in each state, including information about online schools in Texas. According to this survey, 37.2% of all students enrolled at a Texas institution participated in at least one distance education course in 2019.Additionally, 14.4% of all students enrolled exclusively online, with state residents making up 93% of the individuals enrolled exclusively in online college courses in Texas. Undergraduates made up the majority of students (90%) at online colleges in Texas.
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
The Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), a nonprofit organization, works with 16 Southern states, including Texas, to improve the quality of public education at all levels. SREB provides independent data and recommendations to help policymakers make decisions.Through SREB's Academic Common Market program, you can enroll in an out-of-state program for the cost of in-state tuition for any degree currently unavailable in your home state. More than 20 institutions in Texas participate in the program, including Texas A&M University and the University of Texas.Student eligibility requires residency in an SREB member state and meeting the prospective institution's admissions requirements. You can check the SREP website to see if your state is eligible for the reduced-tuition program.
Online Colleges in Texas Rankings Snapshot
Best Online Colleges in TexasRankSchoolLocation1Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TX2Texas A&M University-Central TexasKilleen, TX3Parker UniversityDallas, TX4LeTourneau UniversityLongview, TX5University of North TexasDenton, TX6The University of Texas Permian BasinOdessa, TX7Amberton UniversityGarland, TX8Angelo State UniversitySan Angelo, TX9Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville, TX10Lamar UniversityBeaumont, TX
Best Online Colleges in Texas 2024
Below, you will find a ranking of the best online four-year programs in Texas. These profiles look at how schools approach online education, listing the services available to distance students and a school's fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in Texas, you can go on to read about state-specific resources, including a database of every college and university in Texas and an index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
College Graduate Outlook in Texas 2024
Job Outlook for College Graduates in Texas
Graduates of online colleges in Texas enter a fairly strong economy. In April 2023, the unemployment rate in Texas sat at 4%, near the national unemployment rate. Lower unemployment rates generally make it easier to secure a job after college.Wages, on the other hand, experienced little growth over the last decade; this can create challenges for new college grads depending on their field or industry. The mean annual wage for all occupations in Texas in May 2022 was $57,300.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Texas
Is online college in Texas worth it?
Yes, attending accredited online colleges in Texas can improve your career options and boost your earning potential. Reputable online programs meet high standards for academic quality.And many online colleges in Texas award the same diploma to all graduates, regardless of the delivery method. That means your diploma will not list whether you attended online or in-person.
Is Texas a good place to go to college?
Yes, Texas is a great place to go to college. With over 200 colleges and universities, you can find the right fit for your unique needs. And many Texas colleges offer online programs, so you can attend a Texas school from another state.When researching online colleges in Texas, make sure to check for distance learner tuition discounts and research scholarship opportunities.
What is the best online college in Texas?
Texas has many outstanding online colleges. Many of the state's public universities offer online classes and programs. You can also attend a top-ranked private college in Texas as a distance learner.When researching online colleges in Texas, make sure to consider factors like program fit, total cost, and accreditation. The best online college depends on your academic interests and career goals.