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The Best Online Colleges in Texas

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If you are looking for an online college in Texas, you have a herd of choices! Indeed, Texas is home to no fewer than 108 public colleges or universities, as well as 68 private, non-profit schools, and a staggering 101 for-profit private colleges. This amounts to the second highest population of full-time students in the nation, with nearly 1.5 million students in 2013!

The competition was fierce, but ten schools came out on top in our Best Online Colleges in Texas list. These schools offer the convenience and flexibility of online degree programs, and one even offers free textbooks for undergraduate students as well as special tuition rates for adults, military and veterans. You can also be assured that you will be earning the same degree as on-campus students, and the same faculty teach the online and on-campus courses in many programs. You also get the benefit of guaranteed in-state tuition, no matter where you live, when you seek an online degree.

Four reasons to find an online college in your state:

  • Guaranteed in-state tuition saves you money
  • Be a part of a university or college you know and love
  • Get a degree from a school employers know and trust
  • Be close enough to easily visit when desired

Ranking guidelines for the best online colleges in Texas:
Best-schools-sealWe selected the online colleges and universities here based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.

Note: In ranking the best online colleges in Texas, giving attention to the variety of degree programs available at the institutions is of utmost importance. For this reason, a more prestigious school in Texas may offer one, or a few online degrees, but that may not be enough for that school to rank highly among the best online colleges in the state. In this ranking, we are dedicated to showing who’s leading the way in delivering quality online degree programs in Texas.

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The Best Online Colleges in Texas

1Texas Tech University

(Lubbock, TX)Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University, a public research university founded in 1923, offers an array of degree programs. The university also offers numerous online degrees and online certification and certification preparation programs. A member of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech University enrolls more than 35,000 students. Texas Tech University’s on-campus and online students receive the same degree.

The university’s online students can complete a number of bachelor’s degrees including those in human sciences, general studies, and plant and soil sciences. Texas Tech also offers online master’s degrees in technical communication, education, horticulture, software engineering and more. Students pursuing advanced study can earn doctoral degrees in agricultural education, systems and engineering management, higher education, and technical communication and rhetoric. The university offers a host of graduate certificates, undergraduate minors and concentrations, and graduate certificate preparation programs.

Online students have access to support services such as IT and library resources.

Texas Tech University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).

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2Dallas Baptist University

(Dallas, TX)Dallas Baptist University

Dallas Baptist University, a Christian liberal arts university founded in 1898, enrolls about 5,400 students, including 1,800 online. Dallas Baptist University offers a host of degree programs ranging from associate’s to doctoral degrees with nearly 60 full programs available online.

Dallas Baptist University’s online program offerings include a range of associate, bachelor, master, accelerated bachelor/master, and dual master’s degree programs as well as about two dozen undergraduate and graduate certificates. Areas of study range from business administration to children’s ministry to communication and more. The same faculty teach the university’s on-campus and online courses.

Online students have access to an online bookstore, financial aid and a help desk.

Dallas Baptist University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).

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3Lamar University, LU Online

(Beaumont, TX)Lamar University

Lamar University, a public, co-educational doctoral/research university established in 1923, enrolls nearly 15,000 students. A member of the Texas State University System, Lamar University offers online undergraduate and graduate degree options through LU Online. The university tailors programs and courses to meet the schedules of working adults. The university also features a Center for Military Services, which provides support and resources for active duty military and veterans.

Lamar offers a number of undergraduate degree programs, including computer science, general business, entrepreneurship, communication, and sociology. The university also offers a variety of master’s degree options, a doctorate in educational leadership, and several certification programs.

Lamar University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).

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4LeTourneau University

(Longview, TX)LeTourneau University

LeTourneau University, a private, interdenominational Christian university founded in 1946, enrolls about 3,000 students from around the world. LeTourneau University offers a host of degree programs in education, business, engineering, and aviation studies, including many programs students can complete 100 percent online.

Among LeTourneau University’s online degree offerings is an accelerated bachelor’s degree in aviation studies. Students also can complete undergraduate degrees in biblical studies and ministry, business administration, criminal justice, and psychology. LeTourneau University’s online students can pursue master’s degrees in engineering management, health care administration, counseling, and curriculum and instruction.

LeTourneau University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).

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5University of Texas of the Permian Basin

(Odessa, TX)University of Texas of the Permian Basin

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, a public university founded in 1973, enrolls about 5,600 students. The university offers bachelor, master and pre-professional degrees, including several fully online degrees.

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin’s online program offerings include bachelor’s degrees in marketing, child and family studies, humanities, sociology and more. The university also offers master’s degrees in bilingual/ESL education, educational leadership, English, special education, business administration and kinesiology, as well as several certification and endorsement programs.

Online students have access to a number of services including counseling services, financial aid, academic advising, career services and library resources.

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).

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6University of Houston – Victoria

(Victoria, TX)University of Houston - Victoria

The University of Houston – Victoria, a four-year state university founded in 1971, enrolls more than 4,300 students and boasts more than 11,000 alumni. A member of the University of Houston System, the University of Houston – Victoria offers more than 50 programs leading to bachelor and master degrees, including online bachelor degree completion and master degree programs. The same faculty teach the university’s online and on-campus courses.

The University of Houston – Victoria allows students to finish their bachelor’s degrees with undergraduate completion programs in communication, marketing, healthcare administration and more. The university offers more than a dozen master’s degrees ranging from special education to publishing to computer information systems as well as a number of certificate programs.

Online students have access to an online bookstore, library resources and student services.

The University of Houston – Victoria is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).

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7Tarleton State University, Global Campus

(Stephenville, TX)Tarleton State University

Tarleton State University, a public, co-educational university founded in 1899, enrolls more than 10,000 students. A member of the Texas A&M University System, Tarleton State University offers a host of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs, including more than 20 online bachelor completion and master degree programs.

Tarleton State University offers a host of bachelor degree completion programs including those in veterinary technology, business, psychology, criminal justice administration and health professions technology. Before enrolling in a program, students must hold 30 hours of transferable credit. Students also can pursue nearly a dozen master’s degree options including agricultural and consumer resources, educational administration, information systems, music education, and quality and engineering management. The degree programs do not require residency, but some may require a campus visit. The university also offers military-friendly degree programs.

Online students receive the same degree as on-campus students.

Tarleton State University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).

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8Sam Houston State University

(Huntsville, TX)Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University, a public university founded in 1879, enrolls more than 18,000 students. A member of the Texas State University System, Sam Houston University’s degree offerings include more than 140 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs with more than 25 fully online degree programs.

Sam Houston State University’s online programs follow a semester-based schedule and enable students to earn their degree in three to five years. The university’s fully online bachelor programs include criminal justice, general business administration, general studies and history. Students can also pursue about two dozen online master’s degree programs. Students can complete an online doctorate in developmental education administration or instructional technology as well as a host of graduate and professional certificates. Sam Houston State University also offers online bachelor’s degree programs in nursing and psychology and a master’s degree in band conducting. However, the programs do contain on-campus elements.

Online students have access to a host of services including library resources, advising and career services.

Sam Houston State University is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).

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9University of the Incarnate Word, UIW Online

(San Antonio, TX)university-of-the-incarnate-word-TX

The University of the Incarnate Word, a private, co-educational Catholic university founded in 1881, enrolls about 9,900 students. The university offers a host of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional degrees, including a dozen bachelor and master degrees offered fully online through UIW Online. UIW Online’s programs are asynchronous with no proctored exams, allowing students to complete coursework on their schedule. The university offers its courses in an accelerated format with eight-week terms.

UIW Online students can pursue eight bachelor degree options such as applied arts and sciences, organizational development, business administration and health sciences. Depending on their degree choice, students also can pursue nearly two dozen concentrations to help tailor their degree to their career goals. The university also offers master’s degrees in administration, business administration, teacher leadership, and organizational development and leadership. Students pursuing an administration degree also can choose from five concentrations such as organizational development and communication arts.

The University of the Incarnate Word participates in the GoArmyEd, Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative and Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership.

The university offers free textbooks for undergraduate students as well as special tuition rates for adults, active-duty military and veterans.

Online students have access to library resources, a bookstore, career services and the Online Writing Center.

The University of the Incarnate Word is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).

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10University of Houston – Downtown, UHD Online

(Houston, TX)University of Houston - Downtown

The University of Houston – Downtown, a four-year public state university founded in 1974, enrolls about 14,000 students. A member of the University of Houston System, the University of Houston – Downtown offers more than 50 bachelor and master degree programs, including online bachelor completion and master’s degrees through UHD Online.

UHD Online students can earn bachelor’s degrees in finance, supply chain management, professional writing, criminal justice and more. Online students can pursue master’s degrees in non-profit management, criminal justice and teaching. Most of the university’s programs are 100 percent online, but some may require site-based sessions such as orientation or laboratory experiences. The same faculty teach the online and on-campus courses. Online students earn the same degree as on-campus students.

Online students have access to a variety of services including the bookstore, library resources and an online student orientation.

The University of Houston – Downtown is regionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS).

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