Best Affordable Online Colleges in Texas of 2025

Online colleges in Texas are growing and adapting to the state’s most in-demand careers.

Texas State University, for example, has announced 40 new online programs, including bachelor of science in nursing, master of business administration (MBA), and master’s in education degrees.

Even if you’re not a Texan, many online programs in the state charge a flat rate, regardless of your state residency. This makes them a great option to save on education costs.

We compared graduation rates, admission rates, net price, and more to create a ranking of the best affordable colleges in Texas. These programs may not be the cheapest the state has to offer, but they can offer high academic quality at a reasonable sticker price.

Low tuition prices may initially draw your interest. However, they tend not to tell the full story of a school’s affordability. Factors like financial aid, return on investment (ROI), and academic quality will also play a role in affordability.

For example, students who attend an institution with lower academic quality may graduate unprepared for what’s next. Therefore, they may seek additional education to make up for what was missed. This can end up doubling costs in the long run.

Conversely, at schools with higher academic quality, you may have more upfront costs but will graduate in a better position, increasing your chances of landing higher-paying work and boosting your overall ROI.

Whether you choose to study online or in person, you can expect to spend roughly $15,000-$16,000 a year on undergraduate programs in Texas. But these estimates can vary greatly depending on what type of institution you attend.

According to a BestColleges analysis of recent National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data, in 2023, average tuition and fees at public four-year schools in Texas were $8,040 for in-state students and $17,630 for out-of-state students. By comparison, average tuition and fees at private institutions were $27,770 that year.

Public institutions offering online instruction will typically be your most affordable option in the state. And you can drive that price even lower with financial aid if you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and qualify for grants, scholarships, and loans.

Online students qualify for financial aid just like in-person students do.

Earning an online degree in Texas can be a great financial investment. For starters, most public institutions in the state will not charge you additional fees for online study, regardless of where you reside.

This means you can save big on typical out-of-state fees, which can often increase the cost of programs by thousands of dollars.

Secondly, according to recent data from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the average starting salary for graduates in the Southwest region of the U.S. is slightly higher than the national average, at roughly $65,210 for bachelor’s degree-holders and $78,710 for master’s degree-holders.

Amount: Varies depending on financial need and other factors.

Eligibility: This scholarship is for new, continuing, and returning students registered in online courses at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Hopeful candidates must be Texas residents and have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Amount: $25,000

Eligibility: The George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation awards 70 scholarships annually to high school seniors in Harris, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller counties. Candidates receive funds based on their grades and financial need.

Amount: $225 per semester, maximum of $450 per year

Eligibility: This scholarship is for Dallas College’s online students who are enrolled in at least six hours of online classes in a fall or spring semester and who maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Here are some ways you can save on college costs in Texas.

The best way to lower your college costs is to apply for financial aid. As an online student, you have access to many of the same financial aid options to fund your education as students who attend in person. This includes:

The FAFSA, which determines students’ eligibility for scholarships, grants, federal work-study, and loans to fund their college experience.

Student loans, which are financial awards that need to be repaid, typically with interest.

Online student scholarships, which are online-specific aid offerings for online learners.

Despite long-held stigmas about community colleges, they are a great way to kickstart your educational journey. Not only are they a more affordable option, but many also offer seamless transfers to four-year institutions.

Through Texas Direct, students will have clear communication about their transfer pathway to ensure they can make the jump from a community college to the four-year school of their choice.

You can sometimes get credit for prior learning (CPL) from professional training, work, and life experience. This can be work you’ve done in the military or through your career in the professional world. Nonmilitary professional experience can transfer to college credit through prior-learning assessments (PLAs).

By taking the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) test, you can test out of introductory courses, allowing you to earn your degree faster and save money on tuition, books, and fees.

There are at least eight free tuition schools in Texas, where students who meet certain qualifications, like income thresholds and residency standards, will not be charged tuition and fees. If you can’t attend one of those, attend an affordable school that doesn’t sacrifice quality academics.