Most Affordable Online Colleges in Texas of 2024
Many affordable colleges in Texas offer flexible, online programs. See who stands out in our ranking of the best online colleges in the Lone Star State.
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At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.
The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
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Texas has one of the largest higher education networks in the United States. The number of degree-granting institutions in the Lone Star State is behind only California and New York. Texas also offers affordability: Tuition costs at the state’s public colleges fall well below the national average, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Given the size and quality of its college system, students in Texas can enjoy easy access to online learning opportunities. We’ve ranked the most affordable online colleges in Texas, and highlighted some appealing career paths projected to grow in Texas.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Most Affordable Online Colleges in Texas
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$6,228
$16,020
88%
88%
$6,471
$13,815
57%
16,320
Public
Yes
$6,228
$16,020
Beaumont, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$6,228
$16,020
88%
88%
$6,471
$13,815
57%
16,320
Public
Yes
Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$5,616
$15,408
96%
78%
$5,112
$12,456
72%
16,338
Public
Yes
$5,616
$15,408
Denton, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$5,616
$15,408
96%
78%
$5,112
$12,456
72%
16,338
Public
Yes
Texas A&M University-Central Texas
Killeen, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$6,593
$16,385
96%
90%
$5,558
$12,920
N/A
2,219
Public
Yes
$6,593
$16,385
Killeen, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$6,593
$16,385
96%
90%
$5,558
$12,920
N/A
2,219
Public
Yes
The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$6,577
$18,817
65%
81%
$4,948
$12,292
67%
5,534
Public
Yes
$6,577
$18,817
Odessa, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$6,577
$18,817
65%
81%
$4,948
$12,292
67%
5,534
Public
Yes
The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$7,704
$23,112
100%
62%
$5,865
$15,320
70%
24,003
Public
Yes
$7,704
$23,112
El Paso, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$7,704
$23,112
100%
62%
$5,865
$15,320
70%
24,003
Public
Yes
Amberton University
Garland, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$8,550
$8,550
N/A
85%
$6,840
$6,840
N/A
1,002
Private
Yes
$8,550
$8,550
Garland, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$8,550
$8,550
N/A
85%
$6,840
$6,840
N/A
1,002
Private
Yes
University of Houston-Downtown
Houston, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$5,882
$15,740
95%
81%
$8,073
$14,535
64%
15,077
Public
Yes
$5,882
$15,740
Houston, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$5,882
$15,740
95%
81%
$8,073
$14,535
64%
15,077
Public
Yes
University of North Texas
Denton, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$8,295
$18,111
81%
62%
$6,350
$13,694
79%
42,441
Public
Yes
$8,295
$18,111
Denton, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$8,295
$18,111
81%
62%
$6,350
$13,694
79%
42,441
Public
Yes
Parker University
Dallas, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$23,760
$23,760
N/A
31%
$13,320
$13,320
83%
1,954
Private
Yes
$23,760
$23,760
Dallas, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$23,760
$23,760
N/A
31%
$13,320
$13,320
83%
1,954
Private
Yes
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$5,856
$15,648
97%
65%
$5,765
$13,108
73%
21,612
Public
Yes
$5,856
$15,648
Huntsville, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$5,856
$15,648
97%
65%
$5,765
$13,108
73%
21,612
Public
Yes
Cost of College in Texas
NCES data from the 2021-22 school year highlights two important affordability trends in Texas’s higher education costs. First, you’ll notice that public colleges in Texas cost, on average, less than the national average at both two-year and four-year colleges. This applies to tuition costs for both in-state and out-of-state students.
On the other hand, you’ll find that Texas private colleges charge higher-than-average tuition rates, on average. Budget accordingly if you plan to attend one of the many private online colleges in Texas.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public 4-year (In-State) | $8,185 |
| Public 4-year (Out-of-State) | $25,419 |
| Private 4-year | $38,807 |
| Public 2-year (In-State) | $2,859 |
| Public 2-year (Out-of-State) | $7,913 |
10 High-Demand Jobs in Texas
Texas has a large and historically strong economy that students can benefit from. Many career paths that require college training appear poised for rapid growth over the next ten years.
The table below highlights the 10 jobs with the highest projected growth rates between 2020-2030, as reported by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Notably, online colleges in Texas support paths to entry into many of the profiled career paths. If you plan to study in Texas but haven’t yet decided on a major, one of these jobs might pique your interest. However, please note that some jobs, like electricians and welders, require attending a vocational school — not a four-year college.
| Job | Job Growth 2020-2030 | Average Annual Wage 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 43% | $118,703 |
| Software Developers | 36% | $117,439 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 35% | $69,723 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | 35% | $60,842 |
| Financial Managers | 33% | $163,018 |
| Electricians | 27% | $54,977 |
| Construction Managers | 24% | $103,806 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | 23% | $71,537 |
| General and Operations Managers | 23% | $110,147 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | 23% | $52,496 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Texas
Angelo State University features some of the lowest online tuition rates of any accredited four-year college in Texas. The school’s average tuition fees cost 20% less than those at Division I Texas public colleges and 70% less than the state’s typical private university. You can choose from nine fully online undergraduate programs and 24 online master’s programs.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed February 9th, 2024.
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