Author: Brenda Rufener / Reviewed by: Melissa Anderson / First covered: June 2020 / Updates: 3
Key Takeaways:
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Texas Woman’s University offer top online programs catering to working professionals seeking flexibility.
- Online colleges in Texas prioritize affordability, offering online undergrad programs in various fields with strong student support networks.
- Angelo State University and Texas Woman’s University provide affordable online education with challenging academic programs and strong student networks.
As one of the most populated states in the country, Texas is home to many colleges and universities. For the sake of this ranking, we focused our attention on the online colleges in Texas. Through research and data collection with NCES College Navigator, as well as other reputable online sources, we found some of the best online colleges in the state that offer online degrees for undergraduates.
Featured Programs
10 Accredited Texas Online Colleges Methodology
We reviewed over 100 colleges and universities in Texas that offer online bachelor’s degree programs. We narrowed our search by applying the following criteria:
- Accreditation (regional and/or nationally accredited institutions)
- College and/or program rankings with at least one major publication (focusing primarily on U.S. News and World Report)
- Affordability
- Number of online undergraduate programs
We then listed the online colleges according to raw affordability.
Below are the resulting selections for our 10 best online colleges in the state of Texas.
#1 – Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $8,319
Angelo State University ranks in our #1 spot for Texas colleges with distance learning programs, thanks to its academic quality and flexibility. Angelo State offers several online degree options for undergraduates. Students may earn a bachelor’s degree online in:
- Border and Homeland Security
- Border Security
- Criminal Justice
- Intelligence and Analysis
- Social Work (BSW)
Nearly half of undergraduate students are enrolled online. Angelo State is fully accredited and ranked with major publications like U.S. News and World Report to ensure quality education for its college graduates. In fact, the online college ranks #92 in best regional universities in the West and #83 in top performers on social mobility. Additionally, the online undergrad programs rank #275-#361 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News. Angelo State is our #1 pick for most affordable and best online colleges in Texas. Financial aid may be available to qualified students, and online students pay in-state tuition.
Pros:
- Great student support services
- Diverse student population
Cons:
- Graduation rate is lower than the national average
- High student-to-faculty ratio
#2 – Texas Woman’s University
Denton, Texas
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $8,648
Texas Woman’s University, founded in 1901, enrolls approximately 10,000 undergrads. It is located in Denton, Texas. Several online degree options allow working students to balance life responsibilities. For undergraduate distance learners, Texas Woman’s offers online bachelor’s degrees in:
- Dental Hygiene
- General Studies
- Health Studies
- Nursing
- Sociology
Aside from accreditation, the online college ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, recent school rankings include #299-#391 in best national universities and #82 in top performers on social mobility. Interested students should inquire about financial aid opportunities and career services. Standardized test scores may be considered for admission.
Pros:
- Quality academic programming
- Affordability
Cons:
- Academic workload may be too intense for some
- Some issues with the advisor services have been reported
#3 – Lamar University
Beaumont, Texas
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $8,690
Lamar University costs less than $9,000 annually to attend and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs online. Undergraduate degrees are offered 100% online and designed for working and busy online learners. These programs include bachelor’s credentials in:
- Business Administration
- Criminology
- General Studies
- Sociology
Several online degree programs and graduate certificate programs are also available. Lamar has received full accreditation and rankings from major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, recent rankings include #299-#391 in best national universities. Also, the online undergraduate degree programs rank #223 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News. Academic advising and career services are available to online students.
Pros:
- Strong sense of community
- Accepts AP credits
Cons:
- Graduation rate is lower than the national average
- Higher than average student-to-faculty ratio
#4 – Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,228
Sam Houston State earns a top spot on our list of Texas colleges for both affordability and number of offerings for online learners. In fact, SHSU offers 18 online bachelor’s degree programs for undergraduate applicants in areas like:
- Communication Studies
- Health Care Administration
- Homeland Security Studies
- Nursing (BSN)
- Sociology
- Victim Studies
Aside from the large number of online degrees for distance learners, SHSU also offers online undergraduate minors to help students tailor their degrees toward an area of interest. Sam Houston State is affordable, accredited, and ranked with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. Rankings list SHSU #249 in best national universities and #123 in top public schools. Financial aid may be available to distance learners.
Pros:
- Student debt upon graduation is lower than the national average
- Accepts dual and AP credits
Cons:
- High student-to-faculty ratio
- Graduation rate is lower than the national average
#5 – Stephen F. Austin State University
Nacogdoches, Texas
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $10,600
Stephen F. Austin State University is home to online programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The school offers cheap online bachelor’s degree programs for working and busy students. No prior college experience is necessary. Online offerings for prospective students include bachelor’s credentials in disciplines like:
- Business Communication and Corporate Education
- General Business
- Human Sciences
- Human Development and Family Studies
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Nursing
Several distance programs are also available for graduate students. The school, a top public institution located in Nacogdoches, ranks with U.S. News and World Report. These rankings include #299-#381 in best national universities and best online programs for undergraduates. Online learners qualify for career services just like in-state students.
Pros:
- Offers credit for life experience
- Few classes are taught by TAs
Cons:
- Graduation rate is lower than the national average
- High student to faculty ratio
#6 – Texas Southern University
Houston, Texas
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,173
Texas Southern University is a public institution with an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 7,600. Online bachelor’s degree programs are available from this accredited school in undergraduate majors like:
- Administration of Justice
- Emergency Management and Homeland Security
- General Studies
- Healthcare Administration
These programs are conveniently structured for distance learners to earn the equivalent of an on-campus degree. They accommodate both working students and individuals balancing life responsibilities with educational goals. TSU is a fully accredited institution affiliated with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Online students pay an undergraduate tuition of less than $10,000 per year. The school ranks with U.S. News and World Report among top national universities. It’s also been named #43 in best historically Black colleges and universities. Prospective students may qualify for financial aid, and online student services are available to support student success.
Pros:
- Welcoming environment
- Focus on student support
Cons:
- Some lack of communication has been reported
- Issues with the financial aid department have been reported
#7 – University of Houston
Houston, Texas
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,711
The University of Houston offers access to four online bachelor’s programs. These programs offer flexible online courses. This makes it easier for distance learners to balance work, responsibilities, and education goals. Online bachelor’s degres may be earned in:
- Nursing (RN to BSN)
- Psychology (both BA and BS)
- Retailing and Consumer Sciences (BS)
There are also several hybrid bachelor’s credentials offered. These degrees may be earned in:
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Retailing and Consumer Science
Online master’s programs are also available through the university system. University of Houston ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 179th best national university and 90th best value school. Distance learners will be happy to know that the school is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For undergrads, online enrollment is over 70 percent.
Pros:
- Accepting and welcoming environment
- Solid academic programming
Cons:
- Some issues with financial aid deadlines have been reported
- Limited financial aid accessibility
#8 – Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $11,852
For affordability and program numbers, Texas Tech University earns a top spot on our list of best online colleges in Texas. TTU offers an impressive total of 17 online bachelor’s programs in a range of disciplines. Popular online education options at TTU include:
- Applied Leadership
- Digital Media and Professional Communication
- Education
- Political Science
- Wind Energy
These programs are led by the same faculty who instruct on the TTU campus. They are ideally designed for working and busy individuals and transfer students. In addition to the large number of online undergraduate programs, TTU ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, rankings include #213 in best national universities and #107 in top public schools. The schools is also fully accredited to offer online degrees by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Online enrollment amongst undergrads is over 70 percent.
Pros:
- Accepts dual, AP, CLEP, and IB credits
- Great student support services
Cons:
- High student to faculty ratio
- Graduation rate is lower than the national average
#9 – Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, Texas
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $10,310
At Midwestern State, online students can access several undergraduate and graduate programs. For the sake of this profile, we will only focus on online undergraduate programs. These include bachelor’s credentials like:
- Nursing
- RN to BSN
- Radiologic Studies
- General BAAS or Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences
These online programs are taught by the same experienced faculty teaching on campus. Aside from online bachelor’s programs, Midwestern State also offers 10 online master’s programs. It is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. It is also ranked with major publications. In fact, recent rankings for Midwestern include #77 in best regionally accredited schools in the West. Online enrollment is approximately 70%.
Pros:
- Supportive faculty
- Small class sizes
Cons:
- Limited diversity
- Some issues with the financial aid process have been reported
#10 – Prairie View A & M University
Prairie View, Texas
Website
Undergraduate Tuition: $11,299
For colleges in Texas that are both affordable and offer online undergrad programs, Prairie View A&M University is a top choice. Online education programs are available in:
- Business Administration
- Counseling
- Educational Administration
- Juvenile Justice
Along with these online programs, many online courses are available in fully online, hybrid, or two-way video formats. Prairie View’s affordable tuition costs for undergraduates earn it a spot on our list of best online Texas colleges. Also, the school is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 94th-122nd best regional university in the West. Prairie View A&M is less selective, with an acceptance rate of 74%. Online college enrollment for undergraduate students is nearly 60 percent. Financial aid counseling may be available to help lower college costs.
Pros:
- Strong student support network
- Challenging academic programs
Cons:
- Career resources are limited
- Limited degree offerings
CVO Staff
- Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Online
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- Highest Paying Bachelor’s Degrees
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- Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology
- Best Online Bachelor’s in Social Work
- Online Christian Colleges
This concludes our list of the 10 best online colleges in Texas.