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2025 Best Online Community Colleges in Texas

Written by Michael McCarthy • Edited by Bailey Fletcher • Updated 2/13/2024

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Online community colleges in Texas offer a variety of programs for students who want to enter the workforce quickly or work toward a degree at a relatively low cost. The potential benefits of online community college include affordability, diverse student makeup, a wide range of majors, and open admissions policies to help students get their start. Texas' community colleges listed below primarily feature associate degrees, though some also have bachelor's programs. 

For more degree options, check out the best online universities in Texas

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2025 Best Online Community Colleges in Texas

RankSchool Salary Score Online Enrollment Median Earnings
# 1 #1 College of the Mainland A+ 686 $84,697
# 2 #2 Lamar Institute of Technology A+ 1,191 $80,054
# 3 #3 Baptist Health System School of Health Professions A+ 31 $72,389
# 4 #4 Grayson College A- 1,336 $59,836
# 5 #5 Austin Community College District B 20,648 $50,778
# 6 #6 Del Mar College B- 4,073 $48,377
# 7 #7 San Antonio College B- 6,825 $47,566
# 8 #8 Amarillo College B- 2,505 $47,002
# 9 #9 Blinn College B- 3,834 $45,843
# 10 #10 Lone Star College System B- 29,184 $45,741

#1 College of the Mainland College of the Mainland College of the Mainland  

  • Salary Score: A+
  • Median Earnings: $84,697
  • Online Enrollment: 686 enrolled
  • Location: Texas City

College of the Mainland () has many online certificates and associate degrees. There are four associate programs with majors in Business, Criminal Justice, General Studies, and Management, each requiring 60 credits. COM’s associate degrees can prepare you for a four-year degree or a career in your chosen field. You can also explore online career training courses and certifications in construction, hospitality, healthcare, business, and information technology.

Why we like them: COM takes online learning to the next level by offering study abroad programs. The school’s study abroad program combines international travel and online coursework. Alongside classes, you’ll experience new cultures, learn a new language, and develop long-lasting memories. It’s unknown which countries the study abroad program visits.

#2 Lamar Institute of Technology Lamar Institute of Technology Lamar Institute of Technology  

  • Salary Score: A+
  • Median Earnings: $80,054
  • Online Enrollment: 1,191 enrolled
  • Location: Beaumont

Lamar Institute of Technology () provides several online certificates and associate degrees. The latter may require up to 60 credits and feature majors such as Accounting, Real Estate, and Criminal Justice. Ten out of LIT’s 19 online programs are delivered entirely online. Some of LIT’s online programs will require you to complete proctoring exams, laboratory sessions, and other activities that may need to be done in person.

Why we like them: LIT is known for its online workforce training and continuing education courses, which include certification programs in Telehealth and Claims Processing as well as Corporate Training in Leadership and Communication. The college partners with Ed2Go to deliver these programs for in-demand careers. These programs show that LIT cares about equipping its students with the knowledge and tools to succeed professionally after graduation.

#3 Baptist Health System School of Health Professions Baptist Health System School of Health Professions Baptist Health System School of Health Professions  

  • Salary Score: A+
  • Median Earnings: $72,389
  • Online Enrollment: 31 enrolled
  • Location: San Antonio

Baptist Health System School of Health Professions () offers a mixture of fully online and blended associate and bachelor’s degree programs. All of the school’s programs are health-focused, with majors like diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, and surgical technology. Aside from associate degrees, Baptist offers an online Computed Tomography Certificate program you can pursue as well. With the blended programs, you’ll be required to complete in-person clinical rotations.

Why we like them: For top-tier online health programs tailored specifically to the unique healthcare landscape of Texas, Baptist University stands as the premier choice. Renowned for its expertise in cultivating competent and compassionate healthcare professionals, Baptist University ensures that graduates are thoroughly equipped with the specialized knowledge and skills essential for providing exemplary patient care in the state of Texas.

#4 Grayson College Grayson College Grayson College  

  • Salary Score: A-
  • Median Earnings: $59,836
  • Online Enrollment: 1,336 enrolled
  • Location: Denison

Grayson College () has online courses, certificates, and associate degrees. GC’s online associate degrees are available in Office and Computer Technology, Child Development, and Criminal Justice, among other areas. To be eligible for graduation, you must complete a minimum of 60 credits to meet general education and major requirements.

Why we like them: GC is known for utilizing the Follett ACCESS program to charge students a flat per-credit rate for online textbooks. This software also gives students access to all course materials instantly upon enrollment. We believe this program is an excellent opportunity to save on your textbooks so you can focus more on your studies rather than stressing about funding your education.

#5 Austin Community College District Austin Community College District Austin Community College District  

  • Salary Score: B
  • Median Earnings: $50,778
  • Online Enrollment: 20,648 enrolled
  • Locations: Austin (and 2 others)

Austin Community College District () offers more than 100 online certificate and degree programs from which you can choose. The most popular programs available at ACC include the Associate of Arts in General Studies and Associate of Science in Business Administration degrees. For many programs, you can choose a fully online option or a hybrid model with some in-person classes.

Why we like them: We believe a diverse student body is important for traditional and online learning. That said, ACC is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution, with Hispanic or Latinx students composing 39% of the student body. Attending ACC will make you a part of a culturally diverse virtual campus community.

#6 Del Mar College Del Mar College Del Mar College  

  • Salary Score: B-
  • Median Earnings: $48,377
  • Online Enrollment: 4,073 enrolled
  • Location: Corpus Christi

Del Mar College () offers hundreds of online courses that work toward an associate degree. Associate-level coursework is available in Accounting, English, Government, and Spanish. DMC offers online courses in pathways like Health Sciences, Public Services, and STEM. You’ll be required to complete a minimum of 60 credits to graduate.

Why we like them: If you want to change careers or increase your knowledge and skills to advance your career, consider the community and workforce education programs offered at DMC. The college’s faculty and staff work with you to help you achieve your academic and career goals. These programs show that DMC is dedicated to ensuring that online and traditional students get the tools and resources they need to pursue their desired careers.

#7 San Antonio College San Antonio College San Antonio College  

  • Salary Score: B-
  • Median Earnings: $47,566
  • Online Enrollment: 6,825 enrolled
  • Location: San Antonio

San Antonio College () offers several online business certificates, associate degrees, and pre-major programs. Popular majors at this college include Computer Programming, Real Estate Management, and Social Work, among other areas. Associate-level programs require a minimum of 60 credits, which you can complete within two years if you’re a full-time student.

Why we like them: SAC offers more than 200 online courses that meet the requirements for an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Applied Science degree. We believe that this significant number of online courses shows that SAC strives to allow distant learners to choose from various majors and classes to further their education and pursue their desired careers.

#8 Amarillo College Amarillo College Amarillo College  

  • Salary Score: B-
  • Median Earnings: $47,002
  • Online Enrollment: 2,505 enrolled
  • Locations: Amarillo (and 2 others)

Amarillo College () offers many online associate degrees and certificates to explore. The community college’s associate degrees are 60 credits and feature majors in General Studies, Business Administration, Business Management, and Criminal Justice. If you’re open to learning in a hybrid format, AC has several traditional degrees in which 50% of the coursework is delivered online.

Why we like them: If you want to become a medical technologist, consider attending AC’s well-respected online program. AC is known for its specialized medical technologist degrees, such as the online associate degree in radiation therapy. According to the school's internal data, 90% of medical laboratory technologists in the Texas Panhandle were trained at AC.

#9 Blinn College Blinn College Blinn College  

  • Salary Score: B-
  • Median Earnings: $45,843
  • Online Enrollment: 3,834 enrolled
  • Location: Brenham

features a variety of online associate degrees and certificates, including some of the school's most popular programs. Common choices include an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts degree, as well as associate degrees in Accounting, Criminal Justice, and Business. Blinn also offers several online industry-recognized credentials and continuing education programs you can pursue.

Why we like them: Blinn's online students use the eCampus learning management system to view course materials and submit assignments. In addition to eCampus, Blinn gives you access to various online student resources to help you through your academic journey. Some of Blinn’s online resources include academic advising, library services, tutoring, and a writing center.

#10 Lone Star College System Lone Star College System Lone Star College System  

  • Salary Score: B-
  • Median Earnings: $45,741
  • Online Enrollment: 29,184 enrolled
  • Locations: The Woodlands (and 6 others)

Lone Star College System () is a public university offering online courses, undergraduate certificates, and associate degrees. LSC specializes in associate programs with majors in Civil Engineering, Computer Programming, and Health Information Technology, each requiring 60 credits. Many of LSC’s online certificate programs offer a fast-track option, allowing you to accelerate through your classes to graduate faster.

Why we like them: LSC offers a TechConnect program to provide digital resources to online students. Through TechConnect, you can check out laptops and iPads for extended periods. LSC’s loner devices have the necessary software to help you complete online coursework. To be eligible for this program, you must be enrolled in at least six credit hours of courses. You must request a device online and pick it up in person at LSC’s campus.

#11 Houston Community College Houston Community College Houston Community College  

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Median Earnings: $42,339
  • Online Enrollment: 23,032 enrolled
  • Locations: Houston (and 3 others)

Houston Community College () offers an astounding 60 online undergraduate certificates and associate degrees from which you can choose. Associate programs feature majors in History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Computer Information Systems, Psychology, and more. Some programs may require you to complete up to 15% of the curriculum in person at one of HCC’s campuses.

Why we like them: HCC is known for its online workforce training programs, providing specialized career training for unemployed students in accounting, computer programming, and real estate. You can apply for fast-track training programs to prepare yourself for in-demand careers. If you qualify for one of the programs, HCC will cover your training costs. The community college’s workforce programs show its efforts to set students up for success without financial burden after graduation.

#12 South Texas College South Texas College South Texas College  

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Median Earnings: $35,479
  • Online Enrollment: 11,514 enrolled
  • Locations: McAllen (and 2 others)

South Texas College () has several online certificates, associate degrees, and baccalaureate degrees to pursue. The school’s associate degrees are available in various popular majors, including Political Science, Accounting, Social Work, and Computer Science. You’ll need to complete a minimum of 60 credits to meet the core curriculum and major requirements.

Why we like them: If you’re seeking an online baccalaureate degree, this college will provide you with the most options in the state of Texas. STC is known as the only community college in Texas to offer five online baccalaureate degrees. These majors include Computer and Information Technologies, Operations Management, Organizational Leadership, Nursing, and Medical and Health Services Management.

#13 Northwest Vista College Northwest Vista College Northwest Vista College  

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Median Earnings: $38,451
  • Online Enrollment: 8,136 enrolled
  • Location: San Antonio

Northwest Vista College () offers many online certificates and associate degrees to explore. The online associate degrees at the community college require you to complete 60 credits to graduate. Some majors available include Community Health Worker, Network Administrator, and Network and Cloud Architecture. There's also an Associate of Science and Associate of Arts you can pursue.

Why we like them: NVC graduates are known for having higher earnings rates than graduates of other similar schools. Alums earn median annual salaries of $42,000, just over $2,000 higher than the midpoint for other two-year colleges. We believe NVC sets high standards to ensure online students have the knowledge and skills to assume high-paying careers after graduation.

#14 Tarrant County College District Tarrant County College District Tarrant County College District  

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Median Earnings: $43,617
  • Online Enrollment: 6,574 enrolled
  • Location: Fort Worth

Tarrant County College District () features ten online associate degrees and 24 online certificates you can apply for. These programs include some of the college's most popular offerings, such as its Business I and Business II certificates and Information Technology associate degrees with concentrations in Cybersecurity or Programming.

Why we like them: If you’re an educator in Texas, you may receive continuing professional education (CPE) credits. The community college partners with ProTrain to offer continuing education through certificates and CPEs. TCC is an Education Agency (TEA) pre-approved provider of CPEs for teachers. We believe enrolling at TCC can be a one-stop-shop for educators seeking to further their education while meeting their training requirements.

#15 St Philip's College St Philip's College St Philip's College  

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Median Earnings: $41,679
  • Online Enrollment: 6,112 enrolled
  • Location: San Antonio

St. Philip's College () is a public school with . Major examples you can pursue at SPC include Science, Teaching, and Health Information Technology. Depending on your chosen program, you may have to complete some in-person activities to meet graduation requirements. Certain online programs require internships and clinicals you must complete in person.

Why we like them: If you need additional help with your online courses, SPC offers Brainfuse, a 24/7 online tutoring service. With Brainfuse, you’ll connect with live educators to have one-on-one sessions in real-time using virtual whiteboard technology at any day or time that fits your schedule. We believe accessibility is essential for online education, and we like that SPC takes the necessary steps to provide that.

#16 Palo Alto College Palo Alto College Palo Alto College  

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Median Earnings: $34,424
  • Online Enrollment: 5,802 enrolled
  • Location: San Antonio

Palo Alto College () offers several online certificates and associate degrees across different majors. The college’s applied science associate degrees require 60 credits, including majors such as Business Management, Computer Sciences and Technology, and Healthcare Administration. Specific programs may require you to complete in-person activities, such as internships and hands-on projects, to prepare you for your future career.

Why we like them: PAC is known for its online associate-level teaching degrees, where students can study to become teachers and school administrators or specialize in special education. For those who’d like to work in education, we believe these degrees are a great starting point to becoming a part of this selfless career field.

#17 Central Texas College Central Texas College Central Texas College  

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Median Earnings: $44,394
  • Online Enrollment: 4,786 enrolled
  • Location: Killeen

Central Texas College () offers many online certificates and associate degrees. CTC specializes in business and technology programs with associate majors, such as Business Management, Computer Science, and Network Cloud Support and Cybersecurity. The college also has army credentialing programs if you’re a service member. If you apply as a full-time student, you may be able to complete a minimum of 60 credits in approximately two years.

Why we like them: CTC is known for its online continuing education programs and individual classes for professional development, career training, and professional enrichment. Courses cover grant writing, Quickbooks, project management fundamentals, and creating WordPress websites. We like that CTC goes beyond majors to ensure that students graduate as well-rounded professionals with degrees, certifications, and other credentials that can appeal to future employers.

#18 Tyler Junior College Tyler Junior College Tyler Junior College  

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Median Earnings: $43,658
  • Online Enrollment: 2,851 enrolled
  • Location: Tyler

Tyler Junior College () is a public college with online certificates and associate’s and bachelor's degrees. Most programs are at the associate level and require 60 credits with Economics, Healthcare Administration, and Business majors. You can easily transfer these credits to a 4-year university of your choice. Some of TJC’s programs are delivered in a hybrid format, so you’ll have to complete in-person and online courses.

Why we like them: As an online student at TJC, you can access academic advising, test proctoring, tutoring, technology assistance, counseling, and library services. We believe these resources make it easy for students to attend college for the first time. According to the school's internal data from 2021, 50% of its student body were first-generation college graduates.

#19 McLennan Community College McLennan Community College McLennan Community College  

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Median Earnings: $42,721
  • Online Enrollment: 2,669 enrolled
  • Location: Waco

McLennan Community College () offers several online certificates and associate degrees. MCC’s online associate degrees may require between 60 and 62 credits. Majors you can explore include Psychology, Business Administration, Real Estate, and over 20 additional majors.

Why we like them: MCC is known for the abundance of individual classes and skills training it offers online. Through Ed2Go, MCC offers dozens of specialized courses and certificates in project management, sign language, grant writing, legal nurse consulting, and more. We believe these additional courses and certifications offered through Ed2Go and MCC are useful ways to explore particular skills or career fields you’d like to pursue after graduation while also building your resume.

#21 Panola College Panola College Panola College  

  • Salary Score: N/A
  • Median Earnings: $43,864
  • Online Enrollment: 705 enrolled
  • Location: Carthage

Panola College () offers many online associate degrees requiring 60 credits you can apply to. Majors include Computer Information Technology, Medical Laboratory Technician, and Office Professional. These degrees are offered as an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science. You can also pursue dual credit, continuing education, and professional development delivered at the community college.

Why we like them: Pursuing higher education can cause financial strain for many students. Thankfully, Panola is known for its affordability. Its average annual cost is $5,400, which is $10,800 less expensive than other certificate schools. We appreciate that Panola understands that online learning can be a financial burden and ensures more students can access further education by providing affordable tuition.

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Overview of Online Community Colleges in Texas

As one of the most populous states, Texas features that grant associate degrees, most of which also have professional certificate programs. Just over half of these are public schools that offer the benefits of community college at a lower cost to Texas residents. 

Many Texas community colleges offer online degrees for students who need flexible options to help them balance school with work and other responsibilities. The state government has also adopted programs to help students through its community college system, including an initiative to help them to a four-year school. 

Online Study

Most two-year colleges have distance learning programs with asynchronous courses. These classes don't have live meetings; you sign in to an online learning management system to complete assignments, watch recorded lectures, and interact with classmates in forums.

However, some online programs may have synchronous elements, such as live meetings over video conference software or required laboratory assignments. 

Admission Requirements

Most Texas community colleges ask you to take the following steps when applying:

1

Complete an online application. Public colleges typically use the system.

2

Complete a (FAFSA), which helps schools find your financial aid eligibility — see for more details.

3

Request that your official high school or GED transcripts are sent to the college. There are no minimum GPA requirements, but enrollment counselors may use your GPA to help you pick online classes.

4

(Public schools only) Submit proof of meningitis vaccination if you're under 22 years old.

Should You Attend Community College in Texas?

You should attend community college in Texas if you're looking for a low-cost way to start your college experience. Beyond the price tag, there are many potential benefits to community colleges, including small class sizes, part-time degree plans, and greater cultural diversity.

Keep in mind that the way to maximize community college savings is to attend a school in your . These schools offer in-district tuition rates to nearby residents because they already pay local taxes that help fund the college.

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts claims that the subject area at public community colleges is the liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities, though the latest data is from the 2017-2018 school year. This is a common major for community college students because it lets them take easily transferable general education courses before transferring to a four-year college or university for a bachelor's degree.

Many Texas students also pursue associate degrees and certificates in healthcare-related fields. This mirrors the degrees over the last decade.

Cost of Online Community Colleges in Texas

Public community college prices have a fairly narrow range in Texas, though private institutions have more discretion to charge what they please. The state initiative College for All Texans keeps a helpful list of costs at the state's public community colleges. Here are the annual for different categories of online students:

  • In-district residents: $1,773-4,600
  • Out-of-district Texas residents: $3,266-8,580
  • Out-of-state residents: $3,873-14,122

Financial Aid for Texas Community College Students

Financial aid is an important consideration for college students. Most enrollees take out some loans to help finance a degree, but it's worth applying for all the gift aid you can. These forms of aid include scholarships, grants, and work-study programs, all of which can help reduce your future student loan debt.

Texas' public community colleges require you to complete a FAFSA with your application, which can help you qualify for federal or state aid. If you have undocumented immigration status, you can't submit the FAFSA but can still apply for state funding through the . State aid includes the following grants for Texas residents:

The award for students at public community colleges is $1,707 per semester. Students must meet various academic and coursework requirements to qualify.

You can receive $3,497 to $5,246 per year to pursue your first associate degree. Applicants must be enrolled at least "3/4 time" and demonstrate financial need.

This is another need-based grant and requires applicants to register for the Selective Service, if applicable. 

Careers for Texas Community College Graduates

An online associate degree might help you gain an entry-level position in Texas. The most popular industries in the state included healthcare, education, and insurance in the 2017-2022 period, according to the analytics company . For the same period, top employers included mainly healthcare companies, along with the Texas state government.

Below, we've listed a few jobs that certificate or associate degree graduates might qualify for. All salary and job outlook data are specific to Texas and come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Texas page and .

Computer User Support Specialists

Annual Median Salary:  $57,910
Job Growth Rate: 6%

carry out information technology (IT) support tasks for a range of organizations, with computer user specialists concentrating on troubleshooting colleagues' tech problems. They might be able to enter this field with an associate degree in computer science, IT, or network administration.

Medical Record and Health Information Specialists

Annual Median Salary:  $46,660
Job Growth Rate: 7%

ensure that patient information remains updated, accurate, and confidential. Community colleges often have medical billing and coding certificate and associate degree programs.

Preschool Teachers

Annual Median Salary:  $30,210
Job Growth Rate: 15%

educate children under the age of 5, working with them to develop basic communication, reading, and writing skills. They need at least an associate degree, with early childhood education being the most common major.

Registered Nurses

Annual Median Salary:  $77,600
Job Growth Rate: 6%

(RNs) provide patient care across the whole spectrum of medical facilities. Many nurses attend an associate degree in nursing program at a community college before earning their RN.

FAQs About Online Community Colleges in Texas

Can You Get a Degree Totally Online?


Yes, some Texas community colleges have fully online associate degree programs that don't require you to step into a classroom. Most of these are asynchronous, but others have some live meetings that students must attend over video apps.

What Texas Colleges Are Online?


Our rankings list above is a good place to start. Many more community colleges offer online degrees and certificates beyond these schools; see if you're looking for ideas.

Does Texas Offer Free Community College?


Some Texas programs work with high schools in specific parts of the state to cover 100% of tuition and fees for eligible students. Qualifying students need to have a certain level of financial need.

These are the three promise programs that can help pay for Texas community colleges:

  • The program pays tuition and fees for up to three for students from participating high schools who attend one of five community colleges in the Alamo district.
  • The covers tuition and fees for students from Dallas County high schools who attend one of 10 partner community colleges or universities.
  • The is similar to the above programs but for schools in Harris County, which includes Houston. 

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