Best Online Colleges in Texas 2025
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 10 Accredited Online Colleges in Texas
University of North Texas
- Denton, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of North Texas offers 90 online programs, including degrees and certificates at the undergraduate and graduate levels. You can choose from 1,824 online courses and benefit from the extensive network of more than 150,000 online students.Â
Highlights
- Awards more than $70 million in scholarships each yearÂ
- Has flexible course structures with synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid options
- Offers dedicated resources and events for online students, such as success coaching and online student appreciation week
Know Before You Apply
- The retention rate for part-time bachelor's students is only 47%.
- The graduation rate for full-time bachelor's students is only 60%. Â
Programmatic Accreditation
- American Psychological Association
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
- Council on Education for Public Health
65%
$ 8,404
77%
$21,004
- Acceptance Rate
- 72%
- Students Enrolled
- 47,507
- Institution Type
- Public
Texas Tech University
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Texas Tech University offers 27 fully online bachelor's programs and 50 online master's programs in diverse fields such as English, technical communication, social sciences, soil science, and education. The school also has a strong 86% retention rate for full-time bachelor's students.Â
HighlightsÂ
- Offers unique online bachelor's degrees, including counseling, addiction recovery sciences, and applied personal finance
- Includes robust student support services, with a division of the Office of the Provost dedicated to supporting online students
- Gives current on-campus students the option to transition to online degreesÂ
Know Before You Apply
- Undergraduate in-state tuition is higher than the national and Texas averages.Â
Programmatic Accreditation
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Council on Social Work Education
- Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration
63%
$ 8,934
85%
$21,174
- Acceptance Rate
- 71%
- Students Enrolled
- 40,773
- Institution Type
- Public
Sam Houston State University
- Huntsville, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Sam Houston State University offers 22 online bachelor’s degrees plus 40 online undergraduate minors, allowing you to tailor your online degree to your career goals. You can also find more than 20 online master's degree programs.Â
Highlights
- Designed to meet the needs of busy professionals with flexible online class schedulesÂ
- Offers substantial networking and professional opportunities that you can access from homeÂ
Know Before You Apply
- The 55% graduation rate shows that nearly half of students don't complete their degree within 150% of the normal time.Â
Programmatic Accreditation
- ABET
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission
- National Association of Schools of Music
67%
$ 7,320
75%
$19,560
- Acceptance Rate
- 85%
- Students Enrolled
- 21,403
- Institution Type
- Public
Lamar University
- Beaumont, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Lamar University offers 22 online undergraduate degrees, five hybrid degrees, and 44 online master's degrees. It carefully designs online programs to maximize communication with fellow students and professors.Â
HighlightsÂ
- Offers five-week, eight-week, and 15-week courses to fit your schedule and timeline Â
- Includes synchronous and asynchronous course delivery formats
- Gives credit for military experience
Know Before You Apply
- Bachelor's programs typically require a minimum GPA of 2.0 for acceptance.
- Minimum GPA requirements for master's programs range from 2.5 to 3.0.
Programmatic Accreditation
- ABET
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- National Association of Schools of Music
81%
$ 6,228
59%
$16,020
- Acceptance Rate
- 84%
- Students Enrolled
- 16,914
- Institution Type
- Public
The University of Texas at El Paso
- El Paso, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of Texas at El Paso offers 10 online bachelor's degrees and 19 master's degrees that are all 100% online. With rigorous but flexible classes to help you reach your goals, UTEP gives all online students access to the same services as on-campus students.
Highlights
- Includes one-on-one support during your entire degree program
- Offers in-state tuition lower than the state's average, helping you save more
- Awards many institutional scholarships and grants to its studentsÂ
Know Before You Apply
- Most students can expect to spend around 10 hours a week on coursework and study for each class.Â
- UTEP's overall graduation rate is 46%.Â
Programmatic Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education
- Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration
45%
$ 7,704
75%
$23,112
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Students Enrolled
- 23,880
- Institution Type
- Public
East Texas A & M University
- Commerce, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
East Texas A&M University offers a wide variety of 100% online and hybrid degree programs, including 13 online bachelor's degrees and 30 master's degrees. According to the university, 65% of students said their degree improved their career prospects, and 84% of students said they would recommend this school to others.
HighlightsÂ
- Offers strong financial aid, with the school reporting that graduates have lower-than-average student debtÂ
- Provides more than 55 hybrid or blended online degree programs with six off-site campuses, giving you even more options
- In the East Texas A&M 2019 Alumni Survey, 82% of undergraduates and 91% of graduate students were employed within 12 months of graduation.
Know Before You Apply
- Graduation rates are low (46%) for students completing a degree within 150% of the standard completion time.
- Only 40% of part-time, first-time bachelor's students return for their second year.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Social Work Education
75%
$ 4,790
64%
$17,060
- Acceptance Rate
- 78%
- Students Enrolled
- 11,500
- Institution Type
- Public
Angelo State University
- San Angelo, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Angelo State University offers nine 100% online bachelor's degrees and 24 online master's degrees. Many of the programs include a hybrid option if you want to take some classes in person. ASU offers strong financial aid, with an average of 45% of ASU students graduating debt-free.
HighlightsÂ
- Demonstrates strong student outcomes, with a 92.45% licensure rate for graduates in relevant professions and a 90.45% first-time pass rateÂ
- Administers more than 600 scholarship programs, with an impressive 54% of undergraduate students receiving an ASU Distinguished Scholarship
Know Before You Apply
- Only 41% of students graduate within 150% of the standard degree completion time.Â
Programmatic Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Council on Social Work Education
44%
$ 5,619
72%
$18,219
- Acceptance Rate
- 79%
- Students Enrolled
- 11,250
- Institution Type
- Public
Stephen F. Austin State University
- Nacogdoches, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Stephen F. Austin State University offers 11 online undergraduate degrees, including degrees in sustainability, sports business, biochemistry, and a unique BS in deaf and hard of hearing. You can also choose from 21 online graduate degrees. Nearly 90% of SFA's May 2022 graduates reported positive career outcomes within six months of graduation.
HighlightsÂ
- Offers strong career preparation, with 2022 graduates reporting an average starting salary of $44,393
- Designed to make a college education accessible to more students with flexible degree programs
Know Before You Apply
- Just 52% of students graduate within 150% of the average completion time.Â
- You must meet minimum SAT or ACT requirements for acceptance based on your class rank.Â
- There is no minimum test score if you're in the top 25% of your graduating class.Â
Programmatic Accreditation
- Accreditation Commission for Education in NursingÂ
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
77%
$ 8,496
71%
$18,336
- Acceptance Rate
- 88%
- Students Enrolled
- 10,888
- Institution Type
- Public
The University of Texas Permian Basin
- Odessa, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers 18 online bachelor's degrees, including industrial technology specializations in petroleum technology and healthcare leadership. You can also choose from 21 online graduate degrees. Â
Highlights
- Offers affordable in-state tuition and many scholarships to save you moreÂ
- Admits new students every eight weeks when new courses start, allowing you to graduate faster by studying year-roundÂ
Know Before You Apply
- UT Permian Basin has a low 43% graduation rate. Just 37% of men and 48% of women complete a bachelor's degree within six years. Â
- Although courses are asynchronous, you may be required to attend in person or synchronously for up to 15% of the planned instructional time.
Programmatic Accreditation
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
85%
$ 6,692
61%
$18,962
- Acceptance Rate
- 84%
- Students Enrolled
- 5,899
- Institution Type
- Public
Texas Woman's University
- Denton, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Texas Woman's University offers 12 online bachelor's degrees, including programs in kinesiology, nursing, and sociology. The school sees high retention among its first-time bachelor's students, with 73% of full-time and 50% of part-time students returning for their second year. You can also choose from 30 online master's degrees and five doctoral programs.Â
HighlightsÂ
- Offers in-state tuition of $3,570 per semester, well below the national averageÂ
- Includes hybrid options so you can access labs and other on-campus resourcesÂ
- Provides flexible and accelerated degree programs to adapt to your schedule and career goalsÂ
Know Before You Apply
- TWU is coeducational, though only 12% of undergraduates are male.
- The graduation rate is low for students completing a degree within 150% of the time, just 44%.
Programmatic Accreditation
- American Library Association
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Commission on Dental Accreditation
- Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
77%
$ 7,140
74%
$19,740
- Acceptance Rate
- 95%
- Students Enrolled
- 15,585
- 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.
Find More Schools in Texas
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.
