Colleges in Texas
Why go to College in Texas?
Texas offers a wide variety of exciting educational opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Whether you are looking for a small campus in an intimate setting or a major university in the middle of a big city, Texas has a school that fits your needs. Many schools in the state offer a blend of both city and country life. In most cases, you will find yourself only a short drive away from mainstream entertainment, bustling nightlife, and the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Texas?
On-Campus Programs
Attending a college in Texas in a traditional, on-campus format is the right fit for many students. To attend classes in-person, learners must live near campus, within a reasonable commuting distance. Benefits of choosing this traditional option include a deeper sense of community with your fellow students and the ability to engage in on-campus social and educational events. On-campus learns are able to ask their professors questions in-person, attend office hours and tutorial services, and have face-to-face interactions with classmates. Texas universities and colleges offer a wide variety of on-campus experiences, from small-town, intimate settings with just a few hundred students to large city schools with over 55,000 attendees.
Online Programs
Online education, which is sometimes referred to as distance education, is a convenient way for students to enroll in college courses and earn their degree. Unlike traditional on-campus formats, online education provides students with greater flexibility. Students attending an online school in Texas often work at their own pace and meet course deadlines from the convenience of their home. Additionally, for many degree candidates, the distance learning option is more affordable than a traditional program. Some of the individuals pursuing their degree from an online college in Texas are working professionals seeking to advance their skill set, while others have familial obligations; the flexibility of distance education helps these busy students earn their degree in their free time.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid programs include a mixture of both online and on-campus courses. Depending on the degree and concentration, some online colleges in Texas require students to attend a portion of their courses on campus. In many cases, these are majors that require hands-on learning and training that cannot be completed without particular equipment, laboratory space, or instructor supervision. Alternatively, students may simply prefer a program that includes both the traditional feel of on-campus classes and the flexibility of completing some courses from a distance.
Popular Degree Programs in Texas
Some of the top industries in the state of Texas include agriculture and petroleum. Since both of these are long-standing, defining industries of the state, Texas universities have developed many of the best academic programs in these fields. Both fields require different types of professionals with a number of concentrations and specializations. Historically speaking, Texas has been on the frontier in the fields of agriculture, oil, gas, and other natural resources; each of these continues to be an important part of the U.S. economy. As a result, petroleum engineering and agricultural engineering remain popular majors for college students in the state of Texas.
Petroleum Engineering Petroleum engineering is the ongoing scientific study of extracting gas, oil, and other natural resources from the earth. Students learn about various petroleum recovery methods, including state-of-the-art oil drilling. Most petroleum engineers work in computer technology-based office positions or travel the world for research and project consulting. Texas is home to some of the largest petroleum engineering facilities in the nation and provides an excellent learning environment for aspiring engineers.
Agricultural Engineering Agricultural engineers work to improve the quality of farming conditions in order to increase production. They are problem-solvers who are competent in sales, marketing, research, and management. These professionals often specialize in farm structures, mechanical power, electrification, soil and water conservation, or food engineering. With the largest number of farms and ranches in the nation , totaling 248,800 agricultural properties spread over 130 million acres, Texas is heavily invested in educating the next generation of agricultural engineers.
What Are the Best Online Colleges in Texas?
Drawing from resources provided by the National Center for Education Statistics , the following section will help you locate the best schools for your educational needs based on the unique characteristics, strengths, and specializations of each online school in Texas. As a distance learner, it is important to understand your options, the online educational experience as a whole, and which types of careers you can seek upon completion of your degree. Below are some helpful resources and information regarding the application process, coursework, degree concentrations, graduation requirements, tuition, and funding for the best online colleges in Texas.
Top 25 Online Colleges in Texas for 2019
Admissions Rate
45%
Graduation Rate
57%
Online Enrollment
44%
Retention Rate
69%
Default Rate
8%
Founded in 1946 by businessman and entrepreneur R.G. LeTourneau, LeTourneau University is a Christian university based in Longview, Texas. With a total enrollment of about 2,700, the university administers branch campuses in Houston, Plano, and at the McKinney National Airport. LeTourneau offers more than 90 academic programs, including 15 that are offered completely online . The school is among online college in Texas accredited by the Southern Association of the Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Home to students from 48 states and 31 different countries, LeTourneau University's academic retention rate is 78% and the school boasts a 14:one student-to-faculty ratio. LeTourneau University is home to a college of aviation and aeronautical science, where it offers 20 different programs and concentrations in such areas as aviation maintenance, aviation students, and professional flight. LeTourneau University offers undergraduate programs in aviation management and aviation studies online.
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What Are the Best Online Community Colleges in Texas?
In addition to weighing the differences between an on-campus and online education, students must decide whether community colleges or universities are best for them. Community colleges typically offer two-year programs that award associate degrees or general education credits that can be transferred to four-year institutions. Alternatively, universities typically offer bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Most online schools in Texas offer some or all of these degrees and cover the same material as traditional on-campus courses.
Top 20 Online Community Colleges in Texas for 2019
Graduation Rate
8%
Online Enrollment
29%
Retention Rate
67%
Default Rate
15%
Brookhaven, located in Farmers Branch, is one of seven community colleges located in Dallas County. The school offers transferable associate degrees that are much cheaper than earning a four-year degree at a university. Brookhaven offers five degree plans online, including a general associate of science, a general associate of arts, and associate degrees with focuses on criminal justice, accounting, or business office systems.
The school also offers two generalized degrees that are ideal for those who want to fulfill the complete general education requirements and then transfer into another school to pick a major. Brookhaven is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
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How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in Texas
When compared to the national average, Texas spends slightly more on postsecondary education per full-time student, as well as a considerably higher percentage of state tax revenue. However, the percentage of adults over the age of 25 who have earned associate, bachelor's, and graduate degrees are all under the national average. Some online schools in Texas have made an effort to encourage students to finish their degree programs by offering affordable and flexible distance programs.
| Texas | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $7,748 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 7.5% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 6.7% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 18.2% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 9.4% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Texas
In many cases, residents of the state in which their school is located pay a reduced tuition. Attending college as a full-time student often comes with lifestyle changes, new living situations, and additional daily expenses. Some of the additional expenses a student should keep in mind while looking for an affordable education include books, transportation, rent, entertainment, and other daily living expenses. Fortunately, scholarships, grants, and loans can help offset these costs.
Tuition Prices
The following table displays the average prices for in-state tuition at both two-year and four-year institutions in Texas. While tuition in Texas is slightly below the the U.S. national average, these estimates do not account for a wide variety of expenses incurred by most college students.
Financial Aid
Students in every state should take full advantage of all financial aid opportunities available to them, including funding opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels. Aid that comes in the form of scholarships, awards, and certain types of grants does not have to be paid back; these should be the first funding sources you accept. Loans, whether federal or private, must be repaid. The U.S. Department of Education uses the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for federal and state financial aid, loans, grants, and work-study opportunities. Work-study programs offer students part-time work to help fund their education while they are enrolled. In any case, are only be considered for federal financial aid if you complete the FAFSA. Every student should explore funding opportunities at all levels and submit applications by the appropriate deadlines.
Cost for Online Programs in Texas
The financial aid opportunities described above generally apply to online schools in Texas in the same way that they do for on-campus programs. Online degree programs are often the same price as their on-campus counterparts and cover the same course content. However, because distance learners often save money on transportation, activity fees, digital books, and childcare, the overall cost of going to an online college in Texas is generally less expensive than a traditional on-campus degree. Furthermore, online degree candidates tend to have a more flexible schedule and can maintain a steady job in addition to completing coursework.
Cost of Living by Region
Your cost of living varies greatly depending on where you live and which school you choose to attend. While it is important to consider the overall cost of attending college, keep in mind that your location may also affect your education and your future career prospects. Be sure to explore job opportunities offered by both your institution and its surrounding location. If it would benefit you to be in a rural area or major city, narrow your school search to those types of locations and find the most cost-effective education that meets your needs.
Scholarships for Texas College Students
Can All Scholarships Be Used for Online Programs?
Most private scholarships may be applied to any type of on-campus or online program in Texas. Additionally, awards and scholarships can usually be used for a variety of expenses, including books, fees, tuition, and supplies. To be sure you are following the guidelines of any scholarships you might receive, and that they are eligible for use at online schools in Texas, it is best to communicate directly with the awarding institution or organization.
Employment Outlook in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), both Texas' unemployment rate and annual mean wage in May 2017 were slightly below national averages. These numbers are drawn from the BLS's Local Area Unemployment Statistics program, which produces monthly and annual evaluations about employment in metropolitan areas around the state. The BLS also uses monthly employment statistics from over 634,000 individual worksites around the state to provide detailed reports on workers' wages.
| Texas | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 4.2% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $47,770 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Texas
Top Industries in Texas
Agricultural Industry: The agricultural industry utilizes various methods for cultivating natural resources and includes harvesting crops, plants, and livestock feeding. Professionals in the industry concentrate on developing new technologies to increase production and efficiency.
Petroleum Industry: Professionals in the petroleum industry harvest fossil fuels and crude oil. These commodities are used by innumerable companies to create fuel, construction materials, roads, and plastics. The world's oil supplies are controlled by state agencies and not private corporations.
Education and Research: Some of the largest employers in this field are research-intensive institutions of higher education and technology development companies. Professionals in this field find ways to expand their fields of expertise, secure funding for further research projects, and ensure that educators of the highest quality are placed in teaching positions.
Top Employers in Texas
Koch Industries (Texas Locations): 8,500 employees
Shell Deepwater Development: 44,000 employees
University of Texas at Austin: 21,000 employees
Accreditation for Colleges in Texas
When choosing a school to further your education, it is important to pick an institution that is accredited . For a school to be accredited, either regionally or nationally, it must meet certain standards of quality. While most schools are accredited as a whole and receive the same designation across the board, some programs may receive specialized accreditation. Some distance learning programs may fall into this category, depending on the school. Accredited online colleges in Texas usually have the same credentials as traditional campuses.
National accreditation is usually reserved for schools that focus on a particular type of education, such as technical colleges and vocational schools. These also tend to be for-profit schools. Regional accreditation is more common for schools that are degree-oriented, nonprofit, or state-owned. Credits from accredited schools are generally transferrable between one another, whereas credits from non-accredited schools may not transfer to an accredited institution. Of the two types of accreditation, regionally-accredited schools are generally considered more prestigious than those with national accreditation. Schools and programs usually display their accreditation information prominently on their websites. While looking at online colleges in Texas, you can do further research by visiting the website of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges .
Resources for Students in Texas
College for All Texans: This is a diverse resource that can help you locate and complete important financial aid forms, register for standardized tests like the ACT and SAT, and locate a college that best suits your academic needs. This site is useful for new college applicants, adult learners, and military personnel.
Higher Education Guide for Students with Disabilities: This handbook offers advice for new college students and their parents as they prepare for a student's next academic journey. The guide focuses on the application process for colleges and universities in Texas and provides details and contact information for disability services at schools across the state.
Texas Higher Education Data: This site provides detailed information about financial aid in the state as well as employment data and statistics for graduates. It also outlines a new higher education initiative, "60x30TX," which is designed to increase the number of young adults earning a postsecondary credential.
Texas Veterans Portal: Veterans and their families might be eligible for significant federal or state financial assistance while pursuing their education. This site provides links to education funding options and support for military families, services for women veterans, and individual scholarships offered around the state and nationally.
TEXASgenuine Career and Technical Education: This site provides an online assessment for students who are unsure of which educational or career path might be best for them. Based on your career aspirations, TEXASgenuine helps narrow down your educational trajectory and offers resources to achieve those goals. This site can be used to find the school in Texas that offers the best training and/or degree in your chosen field.