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 35.2% 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
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.
How Much Does College Cost in Texas?
For the 2024-2025 academic year, the average undergraduate tuition and fees at Texas colleges are $6,860 for Texas residents and $13,897 for out-of-state students.
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 at certain public institutions in Texas.
- 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 (2024-2034)
4.4%
Unemployment rate in TX (June 2026)
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 4.57 million as of May 2026, 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
- 3.91 million people participate in the Houston metro area's labor force as of June 2026.
- 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 the fourth fastest-growing metro area in the United States.
- The Austin metro area hosts a labor force of about 1.52 million people.
- Austin's job growth rate was faster than the nation's gains of 1.0% as of March 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.