Colleges in Texas

Founded in 1879, Sam Houston State University is a public research institution with a total undergraduate population of just under 18,000. The school is the 12th-largest university in the state of Texas, and offers 140 different bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral programs in its seven colleges. SMHSU's student-to-faculty ratio is 23:1, and 26.5% of the school's classes have fewer than 20 students. SMHSU currently offers nine online undergraduate degree programs, some of which are available in an all-online format. It is among the online schools in Texas to offer numerous web-based graduate and certificate programs, as well. Transfer students looking to transfer up to 11 credit hours must meet Sam Houston State’s standard freshmen admission requirements and hold at least a 2.5 GPA. Learners looking to transfer 18 or more credit hours must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Texas Woman’s University, originally founded in 1901 as the Girls Industrial College, officially adopted its current name in 1957 and today is home to 15,000 students. The school is located in Denton, Texas, approximately 40 miles from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Though men have been admitted since 1972, women still comprise 87% of the student body, and Texas Woman’s University remains the nation’s largest university primarily for women. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, and nearly half of all classes enroll fewer than 20 students. Thes school offers dozens of bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral programs, as well as teacher certification, and also offers numerous programs online. While TWU offers a variety of courses completely online, many others are only available in hybrid format. The school’s many programs and established strengths in healthcare enable it to graduate more healthcare professionals than any other university in Texas.

Founded in 1927, the University of Houston is a public research institution located in downtown Houston, Texas. The school features an undergraduate enrollment of just over 35,000. The University of Houston is home to 14 different academic colleges and offers 110 undergraduate majors and minors, as well as 120 master’s degrees and 47 doctoral degrees. UH offers three online undergraduate programs -- a B.A. and B.S. in psychology, and a B.S. in retailing and consumer sciences. UH administers 25 research centers, and is the only Research One institution in the city of Houston. The school's student-to-faculty ratio is 21:1, and more than a quarter of all classes have fewer than 20 students. Students at UH benefit from access to numerous professional and internship opportunities in a city that sits at the center of the U.S. energy sector, and participate in more than 400 different student clubs and organizations. The Houston Cougars compete in the NCAA’s Division I for athletics, and enjoy great success through the years in both football and men’s basketball.

Founded in 1881 as Incarnate Word College, the University of the Incarnate Word is a private, Catholic university located minutes from downtown San Antonio, Texas. With an undergraduate enrollment of about 6,500, along with another 2,500 graduate students, it is the fourth-largest private university in the state of Texas. UIW offers more than 70 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional programs from its 154-acre main campus in Alamo Heights, and the school offers several of its programs in either an all-online or hybrid format. UIW is one of just 20 schools in the nation to feature an optometry school, and remains the only private university in Texas to administer a pharmacy school. The faculty-to-student ratio at UIW is 14:1, and nearly 57% of classes have fewer than 20 students. In recent years, UIW has worked to become more international in its scope. In turn, students at UIC now hail from over 60 different countries, the school has “sister school” partnerships in 40 countries worldwide, and it operates international campuses in both Mexico and Germany. UIC’s 19 athletic teams compete in the NCAA’s Division 1 in the Southland Conference.

The University of North Texas is a public research institution originally founded in 1890. Its 875-acre campus is in Denton, Texas, a city of 131,000 people located just a short drive from the bustling Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The school is home to more than 31,000 undergraduate students, along with another 6,000 graduates students, and offers more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. It currently offers five undergraduate programs online, including a bachelor of science in information science. The university is home to 1,900 faculty members, its student-to-faculty ratio is 26:1, and just under 25% of all classes the school offers enroll fewer than 20 students. The school is renowned for its music programs, and has produced such notable alumni as Norah Jones and Roy Orbison. With more than 300 student clubs and organizations and 39 fraternities and sororities, the bustling campus provides myriad opportunities for students to get involved. The school’s athletic teams, the Mean Green, compete in the NCAA’s Division I via their affiliation with Conference USA.

Concordia University, originally founded in 1926 as a high school, became a four-year college in 1980 and is today a private, Christian university located in the dynamic city of Austin, Texas. The university is among online schools in Texas associated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, but students of all faiths are welcomed. Its main campus, opened in 2008, covers nearly 400 acres and is home to 2,500 students. The student body is 60% female, 40% male. The university offers 24 undergraduate majors in such fields as business, the sciences, and nursing, as well as three master’s programs and a doctoral program in education. Concordia also offers a variety of online programs, including seven undergraduate programs. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, and 80% of students receive some kind of financial aid. Concordia also offers a $2,000 scholarship program for transfer students who have completed an associate degree.

Midwestern State University, founded in 1922, is a public institution based in Wichita Falls, Texas. The school’s 255-acre campus is located roughly halfway between Oklahoma City and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and the university is home to 5,300 undergraduates and about 800 graduate students. MSU offers 49 undergraduate programs and 27 graduate programs, many of which are available online. The student body is about 60% female, 40% male, and students hail from 44 states and 54 different countries. The school is home to 209 full-time faculty, its student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, and 40% of all the school's classes seat fewer than 20 students. Just over 60% of all Midwestern State students receive some kind of financial aid, with the average scholarship or grant award being about $7,000. Transfer students must have at least a 2.0 GPA to be eligible for admission. Students at Midwestern State have the opportunity to participate in more than 100 student clubs and organizations, as well as 14 fraternities and sororities.

Founded in 1971, the University of Texas at Tyler is one of the newest and fastest growing institutions within the massive University of Texas system. Located in the East Texas city of Tyler, the school’s 259-acre main campus is about halfway between Dallas and Shreveport, Louisiana. The school also has in-state campuses in Palestine and Longview. UT-Tyler is home to about 10,500 students who hail from 45 states and 58 different countries. About 1,500 students live on campus. The school features 564 full-time faculty, and its student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1. In all, UT-Tyler offers 44 undergraduate programs, 33 graduate programs, and four doctoral programs. It also offers numerous online programs, including a highly regarded online master’s degree program in human resource development. Transfer students must have either completed 30 credit hours at a regionally accredited institution with a 2.0 GPA or meet the school’s freshman admission requirements.

Founded in 1973, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin is a public institution and is among online schools in Texas to belong to the University of Texas system. Located in the West Texas city of Odessa, the university is home to approximately 5,000 undergraduate students and 900 graduate students. Students at UTPA hail from 31 states and 31 different countries worldwide, as well as from 183 counties in the state of Texas. The school boasts that 100% of its tenure and tenure-track faculty hold terminal and doctoral degrees in their field. The university offers 31 undergraduate and 19 graduate programs. It also offers 16 undergraduate programs in an online format, some of which operate in conjunction with other institutions within the UT system. Transfer students may be eligible for two scholarship programs (one offering $2,000 per year and another offering $1,000 per year).

West Texas A&M University, founded in 1910, is a public institution located in the small West Texas town of Canyon, Texas. Among online colleges in Texas to be a member of the Texas A&M university system, the school is home to nearly 10,000 students, 2,500 of whom live on campus. The 135-acre main campus is a short drive from nearby Amarillo, Texas. In all, the university offers 59 undergraduate programs, 38 master's programs, and one doctoral program, as well as several online programs. WTAM employs 317 full-time faculty members and 452 support staff. The institution's student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1 and 35% of all classes on offer seat fewer than 20 students. About 60% of all students receive some type of financial aid. WTAM is a member of the Lone Star Conference and its 15 athletic teams compete in the NCAA’s Division II. The school offers numerous club sports, including bowling and rodeo teams.

Founded in 1899, Tarleton State University is a public institution located in Stephenville, Texas. The school’s 125-acre main campus is about an hour’s drive southwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Total enrollment reaches just over 13,000 students. The university is home to seven colleges, and offers nearly 100 undergraduate and graduate programs, along with a doctoral program in education. TSU also administers 10 undergraduate degree programs in an online format. The school employs 870 faculty members and 716 support staff, and its student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1. Around 32% of all the school's classes enroll fewer than 20 students. TSU's athletic teams compete in the Division II Lone Star conference, and students can participate in nine recreational sports as well.

A private university based in Alma, Michigan, Northwood University was founded in 1959 by friends and business partners Arthur E. Turner and R. Gary Stauffer. Today the school offers both in-person and online programs from its campus in Cedar Hill, Texas. The school emphasizes "the advantages of an entrepreneurial, free-enterprise society", and is home to about 3,000 undergraduate and 500 graduate students who hail from 26 different countries worldwide. NU's student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1 and its average class size is 21. Around 97% of all faculty at Northwood hold advanced degrees. The school claims more than 35,000 alumni worldwide, with many alumni located in the Netherlands, China, Germany, and Switzerland. Northwood is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission is a member of the North Central Association.

Southwestern Adventist University, founded in 1892, is a private Christian institution located in the southwest Texas town of Keene. Its 150-acre main campus is just a half-hour drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The school has about 800 students and offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs, several of which the school conducts online, along with a number of pre-professional programs in such areas as engineering, pharmacy, and public health. Students looking to transfer to SAU must provide transcripts from all colleges attended, and those with less than 24 credits must submit either an ACT or SAT score. SAU accepts transfer credits from students who have completed a course with a grade of "C-" or higher. The school holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Founded in 1895 by the Congregation of Divine Providence, Our Lady of the Lake University is a private Catholic university located in San Antonio, Texas. The school administers branch campuses in Houston and the Rio Grande Valley, and offers six online programs (five at the master’s level, along with a bachelor’s program in criminology and criminal justice). The school is home to more than 3,100 students, and enrolled learners benefit from the opportunity to participate in more than 50 student organizations and clubs. The university also fields 13 varsity athletic teams. OLLU's student-to-faculty ratio is 10:1, and nearly 64% of all of its classes seat fewer than 20 students. The school offers a variety of programs and scholarships for military veterans.

The University of Houston-Victoria, founded in 1973, is a public institution located in the southeast Texas town of Victoria. A member of the University of Houston system, the school’s 20-acre main campus is just two hours away from four of the largest cities in Texas (Houston, Austin, Corpus Christi, and San Antonio). UHV serves a student body of about 4,100 (3,000 undergraduates, 1,000 graduates), and students at UHV come from 23 states and 38 countries. The school is home to three colleges -- the School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business Administration, and the School of Education, Health Professions and Human Development -- and offers more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs. Several programs are offered in an online-only format. UHV's student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, and 42% of all classes offered enroll fewer than 20 students.

Founded in 1923, Stephen F. Austin State University is a public institution located in the East Texas city of Nacogdoches, Texas. The university’s flagship 430-acre campus is located near the Louisiana border, about two hours northwest of Houston. SFA's total enrollment is just under 13,000 and 64% of its student body consists of females. The school employs more than 519 full-time faculty members, and offers more than 120 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. SFA's student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, and its average class size is 27. Beyond its traditional on-campus programs, the school offers six undergraduate programs in a completely online format and numerous graduate programs. Transfer students interested in these online programs should have at least a 2.0 GPA. According to the school, SFA's undergraduate retention rate is 71%.

Founded in 1957, Lubbock Christian University is a private institution based in the West Texas city of Lubbock. Its 155-acre campus is home to nearly 2,000 students. LCU offers more than 65 undergraduate programs as well as numerous master’s programs, and currently offers undergraduate online degree programs in the behavioral sciences, education, nursing, and Bible study. LCU's student-to-faculty ratio stands at a low 12:1, and nearly 70% of all classes the school offers enroll fewer than 70 students. With historic strengths in education and medicine, LCU boasts a 96% placement rate for graduates of its education program and an 85% acceptance rate to medical school for its pre-med students (both marks are well above the national average). The school claims more than 9,000 alums worldwide. Athletic teams at LCU participate in the NCAA’s Division II.

Founded in 1923 and a member of the University of Texas system, Lamar University is a public institution located in the coastal city of Beaumont. The school’s nearly 300-acre main campus is located about an hour’s drive east of Houston and is home to about 15,000 students. More than 2,500 of the school's students live on campus, and LU offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. The school also offers dozens of undergraduate and graduate programs online. Its student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1, and 34% of all classes offered enroll fewer than 20 students. Learners looking to transfer to LU with fewer than 18 hours of college credit must also provide an ACT or SAT score with their application. LU students can participate in more than 100 student clubs and organizations, and the university's varsity programs participate in the NCAA’s Division I as part of the Southland Conference.

Angelo State University, founded in 1928, is a public institution based in of San Angelo, Texas, about three hours west of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The school is home to nearly 10,000 students, and offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs -- including online programs -- via its six colleges. ASU employs 441 faculty members and its student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. Students looking to transfer to ASU must hold a minimum 2.0 GPA and learners who seek to transfer fewer than 18 credit hours must also meet the school’s standard freshman admission requirements. The school administers more than 100 student clubs and organizations, as well as 20 intramural sports programs, and its varsity athletic teams compete in the Lone Star Conference of the NCAA’s Division II.

The University of Texas at El Paso, founded in 1914, is a public research institution and a member of the University of Texas system. The school’s 421-acre main campus is located in the southwest Texas border city of El Paso, home to nearly 700,000 people. Total enrollment at UTEP stands at about 24,000, and the university offers 72 undergraduate programs, 74 master’s programs, and 21 doctoral programs, along with numerous online programs. The university is home to more than 1,300 faculty members, and 95% of all tenured or tenure-track faculty hold either doctorates or terminal degrees in their fields. UTEP's student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1, and 32% of all classes offered have fewer than 20 students. The university generates $90 million in research expenditures each year, which ranks it third among all member institutions of the University of Texas system.

El Centro College in Dallas, Texas, offers similar online degrees as other institutions within the larger Dallas Community College District. These degrees include general associates of arts and science that fulfill freshman and sophomore requirements for any four-year university, as well as associate degrees with majors in a wide variety of areas: education, business, management, criminal justice, network administration and support, internet development technologies, and business office systems.

Distance learners at El Centro College have access to a variety of student services, including a free Microsoft Office subscription, access to library databases, and transfer assistance from the College Transition Center. Transfer services include financial aid and admission information as well as course equivalencies.

Located in Texas City, COM was recognized by Community College Week magazine in 2013 for being fifth in the nation in number of degrees awarded in science technologies. This online community college in Texas also offers liberal arts degrees as well, including an associate of arts general studies degree or an associate of arts in criminal justice.

COM offers affordable degrees with low student-to-teacher ratios that allow professors to provide one-on-one attention to each student. In addition to a low tuition rate, students have access to financial aid in the form of payment plans, financial aid, and scholarships. Graduates are prepared to pursue entry-level careers or can continue their education at a four-year university.

NLC is a community college that was founded in 1977 in Irving. The school is part of the Dallas County Community College District and offers a wide variety of online degrees, including an associate of arts, associate of science, and degrees in personal computer support, business office systems, and real estate.

The associate degrees in general education are ideal for students planning on transferring to a four-year university to earn a bachelor's degree. The rest of the associate degrees offered at NLC are designed for those pursuing entry-level careers. The school offers an assortment of financial aid options, including dozens of scholarships for distance learners, such as the Ted Pohrte Distance Learning Scholarship.

CVC, which is in the Dallas Community College District, stands out from the rest due to its online degrees and certificates in veterinary technology and business marketing. The school also offers a general education associate of arts, as well as associate degrees in criminal justice, education, business administration, management, and real estate.

The associate of applied science degree in business marketing prepares students to pursue careers in sales or marketing, regardless of whether the seek employment immediately after graduation or continue their education with a bachelor's degree. The AVA-accredited veterinary technology program is one of few among the online community colleges in Texas, and as such has a high demand and limited enrollment.

GC offers four entirely online programs on the following topics: criminal justice, child development, education, and a general studies associate of science. Located in Denison, the school offers a variety of admissions and academic advising services, including appointments offered through video chat.

In addition to these fully online programs, GC also offers hundreds of additional courses that can be completed online, making it one of the most ideal online community colleges in Texas for those who want to earn a few credits instead of earning a full degree. All online courses are offered in an asynchronous format, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. GC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

SAC offers more than 200 online courses, allowing students to fulfill the necessary core requirements of an associate degree. The school specializes in serving students who work, are homebound, or who have other personal obligations that prevent them from attending traditional colleges classes.

SAC is one of the premier online community colleges in Texas to offers concentrations in fields like communications, mathematics, natural sciences, literature, the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement. Due to the large number of courses available, the delivery method can differ from one instructor to another. Some courses are offered asynchronously, while others require students to attend online classes at a specific time to participate in quizzes and class discussions.

CTC is one of the most far-reaching online community college in Texas. Founded in 1965, the institution caters to military members throughout the world from its campus locations in Killeen, Fort Hood, overseas in Europe, and through online program availability throughout the United States at various military installations.

The school offers 29 degrees from more than a dozen disciplines -- from technology, to modern language, to child development, to social work -- that can be completed entirely online. At more than 100 U.S. military installations, online courses start monthly, which makes it easy for deployed military members and their families to complete an associate degree as their schedule allows. CTC offers academic assistance through a career center and transfer advisers who help students make the right choices to achieve their future goals.

The Lone Star College System, based in Irving, offers a selection of certificates and degrees to students both on- and off-campus. The school offers 15 associate programs that can be completed entirely online in popular disciplines such as teaching, accounting, administrative services, business administration, and computer technology. The school also offers general education degrees in the form of a non-concentration associate of science and associate of arts.

Students have access to a variety of support services, including transfer degree maps that help students plot their course to a bachelor's degree. There are also transfer advisers who can discuss a program with students and help them transition to study at a four-year university.

All online degrees at AC are delivered asynchronously, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. While each course features assignments with clear due dates, students can complete their work on their own schedule at any time. AC offers a variety of online programs, including associate of science degrees in business administration, criminal justice, psychology, radiation therapy, and general studies.

Degrees from this online community college in Texas are ideal for students hoping to transfer to a four-year university, as well as non-traditional students who want to enter the workforce immediately upon completion. AC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

TCCD, located in Fort Worth, is one of the most rigorous online community colleges in Texas. The school's eLearning program was established in 1973 with two courses offered through instructional television. Online students may select from an associate of science degree in business, accounting information management, accounting assistance, entrepreneurship and small business management, or office technology professional.

As a member institution of the Virtual College of Texas, TCCD collaborates with other colleges throughout the state to share online learning content and services such as counseling, advising, libraries, and computer labs. TCCD is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

ACC offers two online associate degrees in psychology and sociology are ideal for those who want to transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelor's degree. The school also offers an online management degree that fulfills the necessary educational requirements to enter the workforce in areas like hotel management, retail and store management, or office management.

While most courses do not include any on-campus requirements, students should thoroughly check the course catalog when enrolling as some professors may insist on face-to-face orientations or test sessions. ACC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Navarro, located in Corsicana, offers a diverse selection of entirely online associate degrees in the following areas: general studies, administrative professional studies, business, business administration, criminal justice, English, psychology, sociology, and speech. Students receive all of the same services as their on-campus counterparts, including library access, testing center assistance, counseling, and academic advising.

As a member institution of the Virtual College of Texas, students are given even more academic flexibility when it comes to enrolling in courses. This invaluable resource makes it possible for students to extend their educational reach with ease. If a particular course needed for a degree is not offered by Navarro, students can enroll in it through another VCT-member online community college in Texas.

DMC, located in Corpus Christi, offers two degrees in an entirely online format: an associate of arts in business administration and an associate of arts in criminal justice. While a majority of courses in both programs are offered asynchronously, students still need to complete assignments according to due dates and may need to coordinate with other students to complete any group work requirements.

Graduates of the business administration program are prepared to enter the workforce, transfer to a four-year university, or complete the necessary growth for career advancement. DMC notes that the criminal justice program should not be mistaken for an academy where necessary skills are gained for entry-level employment. Instead, it is designed for those interested in transferring to a university for further study in a bachelor's program.

LIT offers two online degrees in homeland security and health information technology. Located in Beaumont, this school is the first college approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer the homeland security degree, which offers concentrations for students interested in careers as homeland security specialists or crime scene technicians. While all academic components of the health information technology program can be completed online, students should note that an in-person orientation is required. There is also a required 24 volunteer hours at a health information department. LIT is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.