Best Online Colleges in Texas of 2025

While there is no universal free online school in Texas, there are free courses you can take through online programs hosted by Udemy.

If you’re an undergraduate, you can also submit the FAFSA to see if you qualify for a need-based scholarship if you’re from a family making under a certain threshold.

UT Austin does not offer online degree programs. However, it does offer online semester-based courses and flexible self-paced courses for college credit through the University Extension. You can take anything from general education, business, language, math and science, and pre-health courses — no admission required.

Texas has lower tuition rates than the national average. Attending a public four-year college in Texas as an in-state student cost an average of $8,195 in tuition and fees in 2022-2023. In comparison, private four-year colleges in Texas cost an average of $40,142 in tuition and fees.

Compared to a traditional degree, earning an online degree can be less expensive. You don’t have to pay on-campus housing fees, transportation, or on-campus fees. Colleges may also provide flat rates for online tuition, regardless of your residency status.