Best Online Colleges in Texas 2026
The Lone Star State is known for its cuisine, cattle ranching culture, and world-class colleges. From top-ranked public universities to elite private colleges, Texas is one of the best places to earn your degree. But you don’t have to live in the Lone Star State to attend a Texas college.
Accredited online colleges prioritize flexibility, academic quality, and value. Our ranking of the best online colleges in Texas can help you find the right fit to earn your degree.
Texas at a Glance
- There are 136 nonprofit four-year institutions in Texas.
- Around 34% of adults in the state hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- At four-year public schools, the majors with the highest enrollment include business, engineering, biological and biomedical sciences, and health professions.
- In fall 2023, 55% of students at Texas institutions were enrolled in online courses.
- In fall 2023, there were over 420,000 students aged 25 and over enrolled at Texas colleges.
Top 5 Accredited Online Colleges in Texas
Angelo State University — Most Affordable Undergraduate Tuition
- San Angelo, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Angelo State University stands out on our list for its lower-than-average undergraduate tuition. On average, tuition at ASU costs 20% less than that of Texas Division I public universities and 70% less than that of private universities in the state. The university also offers various scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and tuition discounts for military servicemembers and veterans.
ASU offers approximately 35 online undergraduate and master’s programs covering various subjects, including artificial intelligence, criminal justice, history, psychology, social work, education, nursing, business administration, and computer science.
What to Expect
- Take advantage of 24/7 technical support for online students.
- Many online ASU students graduate with minimal or no debt.
- Veterans and their families may qualify for up to 150 hours of tuition exemption through Texas’s Hazlewood Act.
How to Enroll
Angelo State University has a slightly different application process for various types of candidates, including first-time, transfer, and graduate students. Aspiring first-time college students should include SAT and/or ACT scores with their application. If you graduated from high school in the top 25% of your class, you are guaranteed admission as a first-time college student to ASU.
44%
$ 5,619
69%
$17,919
- Acceptance Rate
- 83%
- Students Enrolled
- 11,542
- Institution Type
- Public
East Texas A&M University — Most Hybrid Program Offerings
- Commerce, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
East Texas A&M University offers 65 hybrid bachelor's and master's programs, earning it a top spot on our list for students seeking a combination of online and in-person instruction in Texas. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in agricultural science, business, education, humanities, science, and specialty areas like healthcare.
What to Expect
- Hybrid programs are more than 50% (but less than 100%) online, with some in-person instruction on campus in Commerce, Texas.
- You can complete an internship for credit.
- Competency-based education (CBE) programs offer fixed tuition rates and digital textbooks.
How to Enroll
If you’re applying for an undergraduate program, you can submit an application through the Common App, ApplyTexas, or directly through East Texas A&M University’s website. CBE programs have their own application process.
71%
$ 4,790
58%
$17,090
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Students Enrolled
- 12,741
- Institution Type
- Public
Sam Houston State University — Most Online Program Offerings
- Huntsville, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Sam Houston State University stands out on our list for having the largest selection of fully online programs, offering over 60 online bachelor's and master's programs. The school offers online undergraduate and graduate programs in popular topics like computer science, psychology, Spanish, history, health administration, and sociology — in addition to programs in specific areas, such as geospatial applications, investigative forensic science, Dyslexia, and sports communication.
What to Expect
- The top three undergraduate majors at SHSU are criminal justice, education, and business.
- Take advantage of 24/7 technical support for online students.
- Visit campus locations in Huntsville, Conroe, and The Woodlands if you plan to enroll in a hybrid program.
How to Enroll
You can submit your application directly through SHSU’s website, the Common App, or ApplyTexas. If you’re an incoming freshman, you’re guaranteed acceptance if you meet certain GPA, ACT, and SAT requirements. If you plan to pursue a graduate program, check your program’s page for required materials and deadlines.
66%
$ 7,320
73%
$19,470
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Students Enrolled
- 21,039
- Institution Type
- Public
Stephen F. Austin State University — Lowest Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- Nacogdoches, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
Students at Stephen F. Austin State University can take advantage of its 15-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, which is the lowest student-to-faculty ratio on our list. Additionally, there are fewer than 11,000 students enrolled at the university. These numbers suggest that students at SFASU can benefit from a more personalized student experience and better communication with their professors.
Choose from over 30 online undergraduate and graduate programs in popular areas like business, nursing, teaching, and sustainability — or browse specialty online programs in special education, educational leadership, sports business, resource communications, and music education.
What to Expect
- You can apply non-academic credit from vocational training or military experience to a bachelor of applied arts and sciences program.
- Visit the campus in Nacogdoches, Texas, if you plan to enroll in a hybrid program.
- Pay significantly lower tuition if you’re a resident of Texas or its border states.
How to Enroll
For undergraduate programs, apply using the Common App or ApplyTexas. If you plan to pursue graduate studies, you may have to include GRE and GMAT scores in your application. Refer to your specific program page for detailed admissions requirements.
73%
$ 7,761
72%
$20,061
- Acceptance Rate
- 74%
- Students Enrolled
- 10,472
- Institution Type
- Public
The University of Texas at El Paso — Highest Student Retention Rate
- El Paso, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why It's a Top School
The University of Texas at El Paso has the highest student retention rate on our list: 77% for full-time students and 64% for part-time students. A high student retention rate — or the percentage of first-time, bachelor’s degree-seeking students who return to continue their studies the following fall — indicates high student satisfaction and support.
The university offers over 20 online programs, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fields such as bilingual education, special education, business administration, construction management, creative writing, criminal justice, nursing administration, and media advertising.
What to Expect
- Tune into virtual events and tours designed for online students, including orientations, financial aid Q&As, and parent sessions.
- More than 84% of the student body identifies as Hispanic at UTEP, a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
- UTEP is considered one of the best colleges in Texas for its achievements in student social mobility.
How to Enroll
Undergraduate students can apply via ApplyTexas. If you plan to apply to a graduate program, you may need to submit GRE and/or GMAT scores, depending on the program you choose. International, transfer, and military applicants have different admissions requirements.
47%
$ 7,704
77%
$23,472
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Students Enrolled
- 24,351
- Institution Type
- Public
Who Accredits Online Colleges in Texas?
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) is the primary institutional accreditor for colleges and universities in Texas. However, some colleges in the state may hold accreditation from other recognized accreditors. Trade and career schools, for instance, may be accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges or another agency.
Choosing an accredited college means your degree will be legitimate and gives you access to federal financial aid. If you attend an unaccredited school, you may be unable to transfer your credits or pursue graduate school.
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How Much Does College Cost in Texas?
To help offset the high price tag of college, be sure to seek out financial aid. In addition to federal programs, students at Texas colleges and universities have access to several state-specific opportunities, including:
- Bordering States Waiver: This waiver allows nonresident students from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma to qualify for Texas in-state tuition.
- Tuition Equalization Grant: This need-based grant is open to Texas residents or nonresidents who are National Merit finalists who have not received athletic scholarships and who are enrolled at private, nonprofit colleges and universities in Texas.
- Scholarships: Texas scholarships include the License Plate Insignia Scholarship, the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program, the Good Neighbor Scholarship Program, and the TBA Accounting Student Scholarship.
- Other Financial Aid: Texas also offers tuition or fee exemptions, work-study programs, rebates, and loan programs to help students pay for college.
Career Opportunities in Texas
$47,500
Median annual wage in TX (May 2024)
+14.7%
Projected job growth in TX (2022-2032)
4.1%
Unemployment rate in TX (August 2025)
Historically anchored by a large and profitable energy industry, Texas’s economy has continued to evolve and diversify in the 21st century. The Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office has strengthened its support for multiple strategically important growth industries, including:
- Energy transition
- Information technology
- Life sciences and biotechnology
- Transportation and logistics
These efforts complement development programs targeting established powerhouses of the Texas economy, including hospitality and tourism, petroleum and chemicals, livestock and food production, and mining.
Popular Cities for Recent Grads
Dallas
- With a labor force of 4.55 million as of July 2025, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area is the state’s largest labor market.
- Leading industries of employment include professional services, trade and transportation, and financial services.
- The private education and health services sector led all industries in employment gains from July 2024-July 2025.
Houston
- 3.88 million people participate in the Houston metro area’s labor force as of July 2025.
- Major industries of employment include trade and transportation, professional services, private education and health services, government, and hospitality.
- Fast-growing industries include professional services, hospitality, private education and health services, and mining.
Austin
- Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States.
- The Austin metro area hosts a labor force of about 1.52 million people.
- Austin’s job growth rate outpaced the national average by 40% as of March 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of October 2025, the National Center for Education Statistics lists 240 colleges in Texas that award an associate degree or higher. Of these, 102 are public, 72 are private nonprofit, and 66 are for-profit.
