Community Colleges in Texas: All 50+ Schools

Located near the Rio Grande and the border with Mexico, Laredo College stands out for its program options and affordability. In-district students pay only $50 per credit in tuition. And you can choose from over 80 programs, with options in allied health, business, vocational fields, and tech. 

Take classes in-person, online, or in a hybrid format. Many courses transfer toward a four-year degree. You can also use federal grants or scholarships to cover educational costs.

It's one of the most affordable community colleges in Texas. At Lee College, you pay just $59 per credit for in-district tuition.

Located in Baytown on Texas's coastal plains, Lee College offers over 100 programs. Close to 8,000 students attend the college, which also offers online courses. You can access resources like a writing center, tutoring center, and math lab.

In 2021, students earned nearly 6,000 degrees, with an associate of applied science as the most popular option.

At El Paso Community College (EPCC), you can choose from over 130 programs at an affordable tuition rate. The public college operates five campuses in El Paso County. Learners benefit from career and transfer support, a counseling center, and tutoring services. 

Want to transfer to a four-year college? EPCC provides multiple pathways to an AA or AS degree. You can also choose from over 350 continuing education courses to add skills to your resume.

Located on Galveston Island in the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston College ranks among the best Texas community colleges. With a small student body of around 2,000 students, the public institution offers learner-focused programs. 

Choose from over 50 programs offered in multiple career pathways. You can study theater, psychology, computer science, or math. Or prepare for an allied health career with a degree in radiation therapy, diagnostic medical sonography, or nursing.

From its main campus in Pasadena, San Jacinto College (SJC) offers 26 online associate degrees and 34 online workforce certificates. Or you can attend classes on one of the college's five campuses. 

SJC is one of the largest community colleges in Texas, with nearly 31,000 students. It also offers an affordable tuition rate, with a significant in-district discount for those in the Greater Houston area. You'll pay just $83 per credit as an in-district student.

Over 5,000 students enroll at Alvin Community College (ACC), which covers a district of over 400 square miles of territory in the Gulf Coast region. The college helps prepare nurses, tech professionals, and allied health professionals who work in the area. 

You can choose from several career pathways, including business, education, public service, health, and the liberal arts. ACC also offers programs focused on manufacturing, logistics, and hospitality. You can take classes online, in person, or in a hybrid format.

College of the Mainland (COM) is one of the most affordable community colleges in Texas. It also reports high graduate starting salaries: Grads with technical degrees report starting salaries of over $73,500. That makes COM one of the best options if you're seeking a technical degree.

The community college's workforce programs prepare grads for the workforce. The school also offers university preparation programs which lead to transfer degrees. Or you can earn a degree in business, management, or criminal justice online.

Texas's technical colleges build career-ready skills. At Texas State Technical College, a public two-year institution, you can choose from over 40 programs offered on 10 campuses across the state. You learn from experienced instructors while gaining hands-on experience.

TSTC partners with businesses to design industry-relevant training programs. And the campuses emphasize emerging technical programs not offered at most other community colleges. For example, you can study precision machining technology, aircraft airframe technology, or mechatronics at TSTC.

Serving 11 counties in the southwestern part of the state, Southwest Texas Junior College (SWTJC) ranks among the best community colleges in Texas. SWTJC prioritizes affordability and accessibility. Its programs prepare graduates for the job market or to transfer into four-year institutions.

What can you study at the junior college? Choose from programs in the humanities, business, health sciences, human services, or STEM. You can also study public safety or industrial services.

From its campus in Lake Jackson, Brazosport College (BC) offers multiple vocational and transfer-focused degrees. The Texas community college has a 156-acre campus that features a student pavilion, welding lab, and academic center. You also benefit from career coaching, academic counseling, and other student services.

BC partners with local industry leaders to help graduates prepare for the workforce. You can also enroll in online courses or access college resources online.