Houston is the fourth largest city in the country, recognized for its many academic institutions. There are over 40 colleges and universities in the Houston area, many with distance learning programs. Inhabitants of this culturally diverse city speak over 90 languages. Academic achievement is valued in Houston: among its residents, 28.7 percent hold at least a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average and slightly higher than the national average.
Colleges in Houston, Texas
Students wishing to pursue a certificate or degree program in Houston have numerous options. Of the three community college districts serving the Houston area, two are among the country's 10 largest institutions: the Houston Community College system and the Lone Star College system. The third school is San Jacinto College in southeastern Houston.
The largest public institution of higher education in Houston is the University of Houston, the flagship institution of the University of Houston System, with over 40,000 students. The city is home to four separate state universities in all, including the University of Houston-Downtown and the University of Houston-Clear Lake. A historically African American school, Texas Southern University, is located in Houston's Third Ward.
Houston has several private universities, including the University of St. Thomas, which is the city's only Catholic university. Rice University is a nationally recognized research university. In addition to the two-year and four-year colleges in Houston, there are many smaller independent schools and career colleges. Special focus institutions include the College of Biblical Studies Houston and the Art Institute of Houston. ITT Technical Institute has two local branches, Houston North and Houston West.
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Online Colleges and Universities in Houston
We use trusted sources like
the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
#1 Best Colleges in Houston, Texas
Houston Community College
Houston, TX - 2 years
- Online + Campus
Located in Texas, Houston Community College offers premier programs to students from all walks of life. The public college offers degrees across fields.
Various learning modalities enable students to learn at their own pace. Students complete general and subject-specific coursework throughout their program. Enrollees can supplement their learning through experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and research projects.
Learners benefit from institutional resources throughout their studies, through guidance from career services and academic advising. Prospective students can speak with the financial aid office to determine their scholarship eligibility. The college notes that approximately 63% of all incoming students are awarded financial aid. The college boasts an 18% graduation rate.
#2 Best Colleges in Houston, Texas
San Jacinto College
Houston, TX - 2 years
- Campus
San Jacinto College, a public college located in Houston, supports educational opportunities for learners of all levels. Undergraduate students can enroll in one of remote bachelor's degree programs or opt for in-person study across degree programs. For distance learners, the college offers online bachelor's degrees and online master's degrees.
Whether studying in person or online, enrollees benefit from a rigorous curriculum, engaged faculty, and experiential learning opportunities. Enrollees complete foundational classes and subject-specific coursework throughout their studies. Learners can collaborate with faculty on research projects, pursue internships, and explore other experiential learning opportunities during their program.
The college connects students with numerous institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising. Students can learn more about scholarships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities that can be applied to their education through the financial aid office.
#3 Best Colleges in Houston, Texas
University of Houston
Houston, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Houston, a public institution, provides a variety of degree programs suitable for in-person and online study. Students can choose from 90 bachelor's degree programs and 88 master's degree programs. Learners seeking remote study can study across 15 online master's degree programs.
Enrollees in both modalities connect with premier faculty and gain knowledge from industry-relevant coursework. Enrollees complete advanced and general coursework, gaining skills relevant to their field of study. Students can further their learning by pursuing learning opportunities such as internships and research projects.
Learners can access institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising, throughout their studies. Prospective students can meet with a financial aid counselor to explore funding opportunities for their education. Given the generosity of the college, 87% of all admitted students receive financial aid awards. Of all its applicants, 65% receive admittance.
#4 Best Colleges in Houston, Texas
University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Houston - Downtown, a leader in hybrid education, boasts numerous in-person and fully remote degree programs. This public college supports 39 bachelor's degree programs and eight master's degree programs from its main campus in Texas. Three of the school's master's programs are fully remote.
Every student benefits from a supportive learning community, complete with skilled faculty and industry-relevant coursework. Students complete general and subject-specific coursework throughout their program. Students can collaborate with faculty on research projects, pursue internships, and explore other experiential learning opportunities during their degree.
Students at the college can access institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising, throughout their studies. Prospective students can meet with a financial aid counselor to explore funding opportunities for their education. Typically, 83% of all admitted students receive financial aid awards. Of all its applicants, 89% receive admittance.
#5 Best Colleges in Houston, Texas
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
From its campus in Houston, Texas Southern University offers a variety of college-level degree programs to diverse learners. To date, the college delivers 47 bachelor's degree programs and 24 master's degree programs. Learners can also pursue remote study, choosing from three online master's programs.
Students across modalities benefit from robust coursework, skilled faculty, and flexible study options. While enrolled, learners complete foundational and advanced coursework in their subject area. Enrollees can supplement their learning through experiential learning opportunities, such as internships and research projects.
Throughout their studies, enrollees can access institutional resources and receive academic and professional guidance. Prospective students can speak with the financial aid office to determine scholarship eligibility. The institution connects students with a variety of funding opportunities, with 95% of all enrollees receiving aid. Of all admitted students, 23% graduate from the college.
#6 Best Colleges in Houston, Texas
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Houston, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Students seeking flexible hybrid study should consider enrolling at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Presently, the college supports 37 bachelor's degree programs, with several options providing remote study. Remote learners can choose from five online bachelor's programs and eight online master's programs.
Students across modalities benefit from robust coursework, skilled faculty, and flexible study options. Enrollees complete foundational and advanced coursework as part of their program curriculum. Learners can pursue additional learning opportunities, such as faculty-driven research projects and internships.
While enrolled, students can access numerous institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising. Students can connect with the financial aid office to explore their eligibility for scholarships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities. Of all enrollees, 64% receive internal and external funding awards. The college admits 74% of all applicants.
#7 Best Colleges in Houston, Texas
Rice University
Houston, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
A leader in hybrid education, Rice University supports in-person and online learning opportunities from its main campus in Houston, Texas. The private institution provides 60 bachelor's degree programs and 53 master's degree programs. For distance learners, the college offers one online master's degree.
Across modalities, students benefit from rigorous coursework, premier faculty, and industry-specific learning opportunities. Degree-seekers complete coursework that covers foundational and advanced topics relevant to their field. Students can further their learning by pursuing learning opportunities such as internships and research projects.
Students at the college can access institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising, throughout their studies. To learn more about funding opportunities for education, students can meet with the financial aid office. Out of all incoming students, 69% receive financial aid awards. Of all applicants, 9% receive admittance.
#8 Best Colleges in Houston, Texas
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
A leader in hybrid education, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston supports in-person and online learning opportunities from its main campus. The school delivers two bachelor’s degrees and 34 master’s degrees. Students continuing their education can select from 34 master's degree programs, two of which are fully remote.
Across modalities, students benefit from rigorous coursework, premier faculty, and industry-specific learning opportunities. While enrolled, students complete industry-specific and general coursework, gaining skills and knowledge needed to succeed. Students can pursue internships, research projects, and other learning opportunities throughout their studies.
Learners can connect with career services, academic advising, and other offices to receive support and guidance throughout their program. Students can meet with a financial aid counselor to determine their eligibility for scholarships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities.
#9 Best Colleges in Houston, Texas
University of St. Thomas
Houston, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of St. Thomas offers a variety of degree programs from its main campus in Houston, Texas. This private college supports 37 bachelor's degree programs and 26 master's degree programs. Students continuing their education can select from 26 master's degree programs, eight of which are fully remote.
These learning modalities enable students to learn at their own pace. While enrolled, students complete industry-specific and general coursework, gaining skills and knowledge needed to succeed. Students can further their learning by pursuing learning opportunities such as internships and research projects.
While enrolled, students can access numerous institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising. The financial aid office can connect students with funding opportunities. Given the generosity of the college, 96% of all admitted students receive financial aid awards. The institution reports a 68% graduation rate.
#10 Best Colleges in Houston, Texas
Houston Baptist University
Houston, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Located in Texas, Houston Baptist University provides premier study opportunities to learners through its hybrid degree programs. The school supports 61 bachelor’s degrees and 32 master’s degrees from its main campus. For distance learners, the college offers seven online bachelor's degrees and 14 online master's degrees.
Students benefit from a supportive learning community, whether learning in person or online, and skilled faculty. Enrollees complete foundational classes and subject-specific coursework throughout their studies. Students can pursue internships, research projects, and other learning opportunities.
The college connects students with numerous institutional resources, such as career services and academic advising. Prospective enrollees can meet with the financial aid office to explore funding opportunities and determine their eligibility. The institution connects students with a variety of funding opportunities, with 100% of all enrollees receiving aid. The institution reports a 44% graduation rate.
Spotlight University of Houston-Downtown – Houston, Texas
Access to education is a top priority for the University of Houston-Downtown, which offers online for-credit and non-credit programs as well as evening and weekend classes at multiple locations. As a result, UHD undergraduates are able to balance work and academics: about half of them attend school part-time, and about one-fifth of their courses are delivered online. UHD's focus on e-learning follows the lead of the University of Houston system, which boasts a total of 99 online degrees and certificates across its different campuses.
University of Houston-Downtown offers undergraduate degree completion programs in several disciplines, ranging from professional writing to psychology to interdisciplinary studies. Business-related majors make up a sizable chunk of the online programs, with choices such as enterprise information systems, finance and supply chain management. Also available online are three master's degree programs, which cover nonprofit management, criminal justice and teaching. To boost the career skills of students, UHD online also offers noncredit certificates in areas such as land management and AutoCAD computerized design.
UHD provides different choices for distance education, including Internet-based courses, live video classes at a variety of locations, or hybrid courses combining online delivery and face-to-face time with faculty and peers. Students log in to the Blackboard learning management system through their CougarNet accounts. The UHD website posts video tutorials on distance learning, including tips for troubleshooting and using the secure web-based application for test-taking.
Additional information on UHD's online programs can be found at: https://www.uhd.edu/academic/distance/online.html.
Overview: University of Houston-Downtown
Sub-Location: Central Business District
No. of Online Programs: 18
Subjects: Business, criminal justice, humanities, social sciences, teaching
Levels: Bachelor's, master's
Students in Houston have many opportunities to learn online. The Distance Education program at Houston Community College allows students to take some of the same classes taught on campus. However, distance education students complete work through Eagle Online, an online learning management system. Texas Southern University (TSU) offers several certificates online in computers and business management. TSU's graduate options include online MBA, MPA, M.Ed. and Executive Master of Administration of Justice (eMAJ) programs.
Other area schools have online course options as well. The Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University offers online classes in professional development. The University of Houston at Clear Lake has numerous online certificate programs and bachelor's or master's degree programs in areas such as psychology, finance and instructional technology. Houston Baptist University provides a handful of undergraduate online courses for students to add to their campus classes. In addition, the school has four fully accredited online graduate programs for students who may need flexible scheduling, including a Master of Arts in Apologetics. Find Online Programs Now »
Top Industries, Careers and Employers
According to the Population and Employment Forecast of the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), many of the businesses responsible for economic growth are energy-related, as the city is a global center for oil and gas industries. Houston is home to 40 of the nation's 145 publicly traded oil and gas exploration and production firms. However, Houston also has many other industries that are essential to the economy. Some of the top industries, according to Houston.gov, include:
- Oil and gas exploration
- Basic petroleum refining
- Petrochemical production
- Medical research and health care delivery
- Technology: computer, aerospace, environmental, etc.
- Government: city, state and federal
- International import and export
The city has a population of over 2.1 million, with a diverse workforce employed in a wide range of occupations. Manufacturers' News listed Houston as one of the top U.S. Manufacturing Cities for 2014. Monster.com named Houston as the city with the Highest Demand for Engineering Jobs in 2013. GHP's research found the three leading areas in terms of future job growth in Metro Houston to be:
- Professional/business services
- Trade/transportation/utilities
- Educational services
Health services is also one of the fastest growing industries in Texas. In addition, GHP projects a surge of jobs in accommodations/food service as well as mining and logging. Among the high-growth industries, fields such as health care, education, engineering and high tech usually require specialized postsecondary training for potential employees.