Are you thinking about getting a master’s degree to get ahead in your career? If so, you’re in the right place. Texas has a huge and rapidly growing economy. That means Lone Star State residents are seeing massive increases in demand for skilled employees, including ones with advanced degrees.
Texas is also home to nearly 150 well-respected colleges, many of which offer master’s degree programs, giving you plenty of great options to consider.
If you’re looking to leap into advanced education, studying online is an appealing, practical option. An online master’s degree in Texas allows you to study from anywhere, so you won’t have to move to a new town to attend a specialty program. What’s more, online graduate programs in Texas are typically designed with busy students in mind. They offer plenty of flexibility for scheduling study sessions around other responsibilities. Overall cost is often lower for online students, too, because they don’t usually pay as many fees or have costs for commuting.
This guide covers the basics of getting an online master’s degree in Texas. It talks about types of programs, financial aid, and what you’ll be able to do with your new degree, highlights some top programs, and gives additional resources to help you get started searching for the best online master’s programs in Texas that fit your needs.
Top-Rated Online Master’s Programs in Texas for 2024
Online graduate programs in Texas let you study from anywhere. This means your classroom can be a coffee shop, an office, or even your bedroom, and you won’t be tied to living in one place while you finish your degree. Courses are often asynchronous, so you can carve out study time on a schedule that works for you. If all that freedom sounds intimidating, you can ground your studies by opting for an online graduate program in Texas that offers a mix of in-person and online learning.
The best online master’s programs in Texas look different for every student, having to do with their discipline and specialization goals. Fortunately, all the best schools have a few things in common. First, they offer tons of student support like advising, tutoring, virtual community events, and networking opportunities. Next, they offer affordable tuition and financial aid. Of course, high-quality academics are a given as evidenced by their accreditation. Attending an accredited school is the best way to ensure you’re meeting the expectations of your field and your future employers. Read on to learn about the top three schools offering online graduate programs in Texas.
Prepare to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of online degree options that Texas Tech offers. No matter your interests, the school probably has a degree program for you. You can expect flexible scheduling, close relationships with peers, and an extensive student support network. Texas Tech’s commitment to facilitating real-world experiences is particularly impressive. Most programs offer opportunities to take part in internships or other hands-on learning.
Location doesn’t matter, either, since they’ll work with you to find an appropriate internship in your area. Like all three of these highlighted schools offering graduate programs in Texas, Texas Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and carries multiple program-level certifications.
The University of Houston hosts some of the top degrees favored by graduate students today: Business, Healthcare, Engineering, and Education. UH’s focused online programs mean you have plenty of opportunities to specialize in each field. The school offers 51 fully online graduate degrees. Plus, you can also earn professional certificates in conjunction with your master’s degree. Across the board, UH graduates report that they earned valuable professional knowledge and skills that apply directly to their current jobs.
UH also stands out for its commitment to building a virtual campus where you can attend online professional development sessions, networking events, and club meetings throughout the semester. You also have unfettered access to online student support services, including a writing and speaking center, tutoring, advising, and career counseling. If you live in Houston, you can opt for a hybrid program that allows opportunities for in-class learning and access to on-campus resources.
Texas State University is laser-focused on supplying affordable, high-quality advanced degrees for Texas’ most in-demand professionals. Program offerings like construction management, education, and multiple healthcare specialties ensure that a degree translates into a stable and fulfilling career. Because the school is so committed to students’ professional success, all its programs are built around the real-life skills students use daily in their careers.
At Texas State, you won’t miss out on studying online. All your online courses are taught by the same award-winning faculty that teach in-person classes. The school’s small class sizes and strong campus community give you plenty of chances to develop close relationships with instructors and classmates.
Overall, TSU’s affordable tuition, practical programming, and flexibility make it a great option for master’s students across the state.
Types of Online Master’s Programs Available in Texas
One of the best features of online graduate programs in Texas is the flexibility they offer. Online learning comes with access to unique curriculum designs and schedules that match your lifestyle. This can make higher education easier to access and incorporate into day-to-day life. Below are a few common program types you’ll encounter during your college search.
Full-Time Online Master’s Programs in Texas
Most online programs offer a full-time choice for graduate students with particularly rigorous ones requiring full-time attendance. Full-time studies generally require significant time commitment each week, but you benefit from deep immersion into your studies and longer semesters to process course content more fully. The University of Texas at Dallas and Tarleton State University both offer high-quality, full-time online master’s programs worth exploring.
Part-Time Online Master’s Programs in Texas
For students balancing career and other responsibilities, part-time study options can be the difference between earning a master’s or not. These programs are designed with busy students in mind, so they offer extra-flexible schedules and course delivery options. Texas Tech Universityand Texas A&M University both offer part-time online graduate programs worth exploring.
No-GRE Online Master’s Programs in Texas
Few people look back fondly on the time they spent on GRE prep. Fortunately, many schools are doing away with this standardized test requirement. Instead, they take a holistic approach to admissions and consider academic performance, lived experience, and other metrics. Western Texas A&M and Austin College both offer no-GRE online graduate programs, and you can learn more about no-GRE programs through this comprehensive guide.
Accelerated Online Master’s Programs in Texas
Do you want to get your degree as quickly as possible? Many schools offer accelerated master’s programs that can be completed in one year or less. Schools typically do this by shortening their semesters so you can complete more classes in fewer weeks. These programs can be quite intense but are great options for students anxious to get their diplomas. Learn more about the ins and outs of accelerated master’s programs through this guide to the fastest online graduate degrees and this listing of one-year master’s programs.
In-demand Master’s Degrees in Texas
Master in Business Administration (MBA)
Earning an MBA prepares you to excel in leadership, finance, and strategy across all types of industries. This means you can match your business expertise with your other career interests. Most Texas MBA programs offer specializations in areas like accounting, management, risk analysis, and cybersecurity.
Quality Examples of Online MBA Programs
Master of Science in Engineering
Studying engineering lets you explore a range of interests from aerospace to software design. For the systems-minded student, earning an MS in engineering is a path to securing well-paid positions in many industries. Texas specifically is a great place to be an engineer with its massive aerospace industry, tons of ongoing infrastructure processes, and multiple cities considered to be national tech hubs.
Quality Examples of Online Engineering Programs
Master of Education (MEd)
Teachers in Texas are in high demand. On a practical level, then, earning a master’s in education is a great way to ensure job security. More than that, though, working in education gives you the chance to make a real, positive impact on students’ lives. An MA in education qualifies you to teach at any age level, including undergraduate. You can also take on administrative and leadership roles and influence the education system at the highest levels.
Quality Examples of Online MEd Programs
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Nursing is a challenging field requiring ongoing education to maintain licensure. Why not put that requirement toward an advanced degree? Nursing MS programs allow you to improve your patient care and qualify for advanced roles. Most schools offer multiple specialties, including nurse practitioner, midwifery, and leadership.
Quality Examples of Online MSN Programs
Master of Science in Sports Management
Everyone knows Texas loves its sports. Whether you’re a fan or an athlete, why not pursue a degree that gets you off the sidelines? An MS in sports management teaches you how to work with teams at every level, including public, college, and professional programs.
Quality Examples of Online Sports Management Programs
How Much Does an Online Master’s in Texas Cost?
The best online master’s program for you is probably the one that doesn’t leave you with crippling debt. So, it is important to balance your educational goals with your budget. The good news is that tuition costs aren’t always an indicator of academic quality. If you attend an accredited program, you can feel confident that you’re receiving a top-tier education. The table below provides a few examples of tuition costs to help you get a feel for your master’s investment. Keep in mind, though, that some specialties like healthcare or business often come with a higher cost per credit than other programs.
| School Name | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Tuition Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
30 | $745 | $22,350 | |
36 | $990 | $35,640 | |
30 | $297 | $8,910 |
Texas’s Master’s Degree Funding Opportunities
Tuition costs are significant, even at the most affordable schools offering an online master’s degree in Texas. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. When evaluating programs, meeting with a financial aid specialist is a great way to find out about merit- or need-based financial aid and scholarships.
You can also look for degree funding outside of the school. Many professional organizations support those coming into their fields through online graduate programs in Texas through scholarship and grant programs. For example, the Texas Nurses Foundation sponsors multiple grant programs to support nursing students. Similarly, the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering has programs to fund underrepresented students in STEM programs.
Don’t forget about government support, either. All prospective students should apply for federal financial aid through the FAFSA program. Additionally, if you’re studying to join a high-demand career like teaching, you may qualify for a state-funded loan forgiveness plan after you graduate.
There are many funding opportunities available to you, too many to cover in this guide. To learn more, check out these financial aid, scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships guides for more details.
Top Earning Careers with a Master’s in Texas
If you’re considering earning an online master’s degree in Texas, you probably already have a certain subject or future occupation in mind. Maybe you’re looking at earning a degree from a purely practical standpoint. Namely, how are you going to pay the bills? An advanced degree is a significant investment, so you want to ensure it is going to pay off.
Looking at some in-demand jobs in Texas that require a master’s degree is a great way to learn about a career you may not have considered yet. Below is a list of some of these careers along with a discussion of why an advanced degree matters, average pay, and projected demand. To learn more about the outlook for your other careers, the long-term projections index from Projections Central is a great resource for state and national-level information.
Archivist
Studying to be an archivist is a great way to satisfy your research interests once you start your career. You’ll likely work with historical materials and documents, and employers want to be sure you know how to handle these materials. Most archivist jobs require a master’s degree in library science or another discipline with significant archival work to even consider you for the position.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $54,140 | 8% | MA in Library Science |
Source: Projections Central, 2022; The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2022
Economist
Economics is a complicated subject, and it’s incredibly difficult to gain the knowledge and experience you need to excel in the field during an undergrad program. So, most employers require advanced training in economics, statistics, or related fields for any economics-related profession.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $104,650 | 6% | MS in Economics |
Source: Projections Central, 2022; BLS, 2022
Farm Management Advisor
Farm management advisors have an incredible amount of responsibility since they’re responsible for the success of family farms and state agriculture. A master’s degree ensures you are ready for the task by assuring you’re up to date on the latest research and best practices to guide your work. Despite the negative outlook nationally, this job can also be a stepping stone to higher-status positions in state or private agricultural projects.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $28,140 | -5% (decline) | MS in Agriculture |
Source: Projections Central, 2022; BLS, 2022
Physician Assistant
Working as a physician assistant is a great career for health professionals who want to take on more responsibility or work in a private practice. The position requires a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree specifically designed for physician assistants.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $127,330 | 27% | MS in Nursing |
Urban Planner
Successful urban planners have a broad set of skills in geographic information systems, public policy, and social sciences. A master’s degree in urban or regional planning is the best way to develop the knowledge you need to manage the complicated planning and development process.
| State Median Annual Pay | National Job Outlook | Related Master’s Degree |
|---|---|---|
| $67,970 | 4% | MS or MA in Urban and Regional Planning |
Source: Projections Central, 2022; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2022