A Guide to Online Computer Science Degrees in Texas

Texas is the second-largest state in the country, with about 28 million residents. While often associated with Wild West-like deserts, canyons, and red sheer rock-face, less than ten percent of the state actually resembles that John Wayne vision. (Though, yes, cowboys still abound.) In fact, the Texas landscape is diverse enough to present categorization difficulties, with 10 climatic regions, 14 soil regions, and 11 distinct ecological regions. Appropriate enough, then, that the state’s economy, demographics, and culture would be equally diverse. Nearly a fifth of the state includes foreign-born residents, and the Hispanic population is among the largest in the United States. Two-thirds of all Texans live in a metropolitan area – the largest of which are Houston, San Antonio, Dallas (sometimes coupled with Forth Worth), and Austin – and many of these cities are home to some of the prominent, productive businesses in the country.

The state’s gross GDP swells over $1.6 billion (or about 55,000 per capita), and Texas is behind only New York and California for Fortune 500 headquarters, with 51 companies, including 6 of the top 50: ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, AT&T, Valero Energy, Marathon Oil, and Dell. For working and aspiring professionals in the computer science sector, Texas has a wealth of opportunities. Austin, nicknamed “Silicon Hills,” has a range of semiconductor design companies, tech startups, and tech behemoths: Facebook, Google, EA Games, and Apple all have major offices. To the North, Dallas houses several of the above-mentioned Fortune 500 stars. Outside of tech-specific industries, healthcare, energy, finance, agriculture, defense, and aeronautics all have major presences in Texas and offer relevant job opportunities.

Texas’s roster of public colleges and universities is a proven source of economic growth and stability, and education remains affordable relative to the rest of the country. For 2015-16, average tuition at four-year institutions was $9,566, which was just slightly higher than the national average, and represents a 3% increase year-over-year (about average) and 12% increase over a five-year period (also average). Considering the high quality of Texas public education, and that several states’ tuitions run over $15k, in-state students are in a good position. Two-year community college students have a particularly enviable price-point, with an average tuition of $2,409, about $1,500 below the national average.

Texas Tech Salaries

  • Web Developer: $71,140
  • Software Applications Developer: $73,267
  • Computer Systems Analyst: $93,610
  • Database Administrator: $84,570
  • Data Scientist: $110,494
  • Information Technology Manager: $109,635

The 5 Best Online CS Degree Providers: TX

While students should first and foremost make sure that a university offers the exact field of study they’re interested in pursuing, the overall quality of an online degree providing university is also important. Below we’ve surveyed all of the computer science-related degree providers in Texas and ranked them according to academic prestige and the breadth of their academic offerings. Our academic prestige metric takes into account online-centered predictors of program quality such as class size, the range of online support services, the percentage of faculty with terminal degrees in their field, and admissions profiles. Together these two metric categories help to flesh out some of the overall best online degree-granting institutions for computer science in the state. Check out our top offerings below!

1
University of North Texas
CSZ Score: 98.5/100
Online Tech Degrees:8
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Established in 1890, the University of North Texas is ranked among the best Tier 2 colleges in the country and is Carnegie R1 school. It has been named as one “America’s Best College Buys” for over twenty years in a row, and Princeton Review and Forbes have recognized UNT, as well. The school’s 25:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports a vibrant, collaborative educational community while maintaining personalized instruction. A quarter of classes have less than 20 students, an impressive number for a school of 38,000. Its 326,000 alumni can be found in a wide range of careers, and over 200,000 live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Like many schools, North Texas’s online program offerings have grown to meet the increased demand for distance education, and students interested in computer science can choose between 8 undergraduate and graduate tracks: 2 bachelor’s in Information Science and Applied Technology & Performance Improvement; 5 master’s in Library Sciences, Information Sciences, Applied Technology and Performance Improvement, Learning Technologies (with an accelerated option), and a PhD Learning Technologies. All UNT online courses combine rigorous, nationally recognized curricula with flexible delivery to accommodate students’ unique schedules, including for adult learners and working professionals. By leveraging the Blackboard learning platform, students have easy access to instructors, group discussion boards, live chatrooms, videoconferencing, and more.
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2
Texas Tech University
CSZ Score: 96/100
Online Tech Degrees:3
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Texas Tech University in Lubbock was founded in 1923 as Texas Technological College. With a total enrollment of about 36,000, TTU has a student-to-faculty ratio of 22:1, creating a dynamic, collaborative learning environment with personalized instruction. About a third of classes consist of less than 20 students and half have have between 20 to 49. Its graduate programs are particularly well-regarded, and the Wall Street Journal has ranked Texas Tech 18th in the country for graduate desirability for job recruiters. Alumni are active at over 120 chapters, and notable graduates include Stephen Graham Jones, Jim Marrs, Scott Pelley, numerous politicians, and business executives.

Texas Tech offers 3 graduate degrees for computer science students, including 2 master’s in Software Engineering and Systems and Engineering Management, and a PhD in Systems And Engineering Management. All courses are designed for maximum flexibility, allowing students to complete course work according to their schedules, and the Blackboard learning platform supports a dynamic learning experience, with easy access to instructors, group discussion boards, live chat rooms, video conferencing, and more. TTU guarantees 24/7 tech support, and a dedicated Instructional Design team ensures that all content delivers smoothly.
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3
Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
CSZ Score: 94/100
Online Tech Degrees:2
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Sam Houston State University, founded in 1879, is the third oldest public college in Texas, and was the first university in the state to be classified as an R1 Research University by the Carnegie Foundation, and has been ranked highly by Forbes, Washington Monthly, and US News. With an enrollment of 20,000 and 25:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from both a vibrant learning community and small enough classes to ensure individualized instruction. (Over a quarter of classes have less than 20 students, and less than 15% have over 50.) Alumni include prominent business professionals, politicians, writers, and academics.

For computer science students, Sam Houston offers online master’s in Information Assurance and Instructional Technology and an online EdD in Instructional Technology. The MS in Information Assurance consists of 36 credits, with core classes like Operating System Security, Organizational System Security, Business Continuity Management, and Directed Management and Development Project; the last 18 credits are elective to customize course work. The MEd in Instructional Technology is 30 credits (15 core; 15 computer science), and the EdD is 60 credits, with two cores in Instructional Tech and Educational Research. (Some example courses: Technology Sustainability, Program Evaluation, Qualitative Analysis, Distance Learning.) All SMSU online courses are built to accommodate working professionals and adult learners, and students progress according to their own schedules. Student services include tech support, career services, financial aid opportunities, and more.
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4
Sam Houston State University
CSZ Score: 95.5/100
Online Tech Degrees:3
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Founded in 1947, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi has a total enrollment of about 11,700 and is ranked among the best Tier 2 schools by US News. The school’s 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio fosters a dynamic, collaborative educational atmosphere while still maintaining one-on-one instruction. A fifth of classes have less than 20 students, and 60% have between 20-49. For those interested, the university also excellent financial aid opportunities: 60% of full-time undergraduates receive some form of aid, and the percentage of need met is over half. Alumni include politicians, screenwriters and producers, businesspeople, and academics.

Corpus Christi offers master’s degrees in Geospatial Surveying Engineering and Instructional Design and Educational Technology. (A BS in Geographic Information Science occasionally offers individual online course availability, but can be categorized as a hybrid track, at most.) The GSE degree is a ABET-accredited and consists of 36 credits with thesis and non-theses options. The MS in Instructional Design and Ed Tech consists of 36 credits, including in: Computer Applications in Education, Strategies for Technology Integration, Instructional Design Applications, Internet Resources in Education and Training, and a practicum. All online courses are built to accommodate working professionals and are therefore highly flexible, delivering through Blackboard learning technology, which includes tech support, group discussion threads, web conferencing, chat rooms, and more.
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5
Our Lady of the Lake University
CSZ Score: 92.5/100
Online Tech Degrees:1
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Established in 1895, Our Lady of the Lake University is a private school with a total enrollment of about 3,300, split between undergraduate and graduate students. Ranked among the best West region universities by US News, OLLU’s 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio helps to support a tight-knit educational community that combines personalized instruction with collaborative learning. Over 60% of classes have less than 20 students, and none have over 49. Founded by the Catholic Sisters of Divine Providence order, the university has a special emphasis on a compassionate, coeducational liberal arts curriculum, and lists its core values as “community, integrity, trust, and service.”

OLLU offers an online Master of Science in Information Systems and Security that consists of 30 hours, designed for working professionals looking for upper management positions like CIO, CTO, or CSO. Core courses include Data Base Management Systems, Information Systems Development, Telecommunications and Networking, and Information Systems Hardware and Software Platforms. From there, students take specialized courses like Information Assurance Planning and Management, Special Topics in Information Systems and Security, and Internet Security Architectures. Applicants should have earned at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and must submit GRE or GMAT scores. Student services include career development, academic advising, testing, transfer assistance, and more.
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Directory of Online Computer Science Degrees in Texas

University of North Texas Denton, TX Online CS Degrees: 8

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(940) 565-2000
1155 Union Cir, Denton, TX 76203


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Applied Arts And Sciences in Applied Technology And Performance Improvement

GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Science in Learning Technologies
  • Master of Science, Instructional Design And Systems Technology
  • Master of Science, Teaching And Learning With Technology
  • Master of Science in Applied Technology, Training, And Development
  • Master of Science, Library Science Or Masters of Science, Information Science
  • Distance-Delivered Ph.D. in Learning Technologies
Midland College Midland, TX Online CS Degrees: 8

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(432) 685-4500
3600 N Garfield St, Midland, TX 79705


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Associate of Applied Science in Web/Multimedia Design
  • Associate of Arts in Web/Multimedia Design
  • Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems
  • Associate of Applied Science in Computer Science
  • Associate of Arts in Computer Science
  • Associate of Science in Computer Information Systems
  • Associate of Applied Science in Applied Technology
  • Bachelor of Applied Technology
Laredo Community College Laredo, TX Online CS Degrees: 8

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(956) 722-0521
West End Washington St, Laredo, TX 78040


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Associate of Applied Science in Web/Multimedia Design
  • Associate of Arts in Web/Multimedia Design
  • Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems
  • Associate of Applied Science in Computer Science
  • Associate of Arts in Computer Science
  • Associate of Science in Computer Information Systems
  • Associate of Applied Science in Applied Technology
  • Bachelor of Applied Technology
Angelina College Lufkin, TX Online CS Degrees: 8

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(936) 639-1301
3500 S 1st St, Lufkin, TX 75904


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Associate of Applied Science in Web/Multimedia Design
  • Associate of Arts in Web/Multimedia Design
  • Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems
  • Associate of Applied Science in Computer Science
  • Associate of Arts in Computer Science
  • Associate of Science in Computer Information Systems
  • Associate of Applied Science in Applied Technology
  • Bachelor of Applied Technology
St. Philips College San Antonio, TX Online CS Degrees: 5

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(210) 486-2000
1801 Martin Luther King Dr, San Antonio, TX 78203


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Associate of Applied Science in Computer Support Specialist
  • Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology
  • Associate of Applied Science in Information Security And Assurance A.A.S.
  • Associate of Applied Science in Network Administrator
  • Associate of Applied Science in Web Developer
Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TX Online CS Degrees: 4

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(817) 515-8223
1500 Houston St, Fort Worth, TX 76102


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Associate of Applied Science in Programming
  • Associate of Applied Science in Software Applications
  • Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Professional
  • Associate of Applied Science in Web And Internet Services
Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX Online CS Degrees: 3

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(806) 742-2011
2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Science in Software Engineering
  • Master of Science in Systems And Engineering Management
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Systems And Engineering Management
Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX Online CS Degrees: 3

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(936) 294-1111
1905 University Ave, Huntsville, TX 77340


GRADUATE DEGREES

  • M.S.Information Assurance and Security MEd Instructional Technology
  • Ed.D.Instructional Technology
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Lubbock, TX Online CS Degrees: 3

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(806) 743-1000
3601 4th St, Lubbock, TX 79430


GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Science in Software Engineering
  • Master of Science in Systems And Engineering Management
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Systems And Engineering Management

Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX Online CS Degrees: 2

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(361) 825-5700
6300 Ocean Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78412


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Science

GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Science in Instructional Design And Educational Technology
  • Master of Science in Geospatial Surveying Engineering

Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX Online CS Degrees: 2

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(214) 333-7100
3000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems
  • Bachelor of Business Studies in Management Information Systems
Panola College Carthage, TX Online CS Degrees: 2

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(903) 693-2000
1109 W Panola St, Carthage, TX 75633


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Technology
  • Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology
Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, TX Online CS Degrees: 1

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(210) 434-6711
411 SW 24th St, San Antonio, TX 78207


GRADUATE DEGREES

  • Master of Science in Information Systems And Security
University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Online CS Degrees: 1

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(817) 272-2011
701 S Nedderman Dr, Arlington, TX 76019


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Applied Arts And Science – Industrial Technology (Baas-Industrial Technology)
University of Houston Victoria Victoria, TX Online CS Degrees: 1

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(877) 970-4848
North Ben Wilson Street, Victoria, TX 77901


GRADUATE DEGREES

  • M.S. in Computer Information Systems
Concordia University Texas Austin, TX Online CS Degrees: 1

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(512) 313-3000
11400 Concordia University Dr, Austin, TX 78726


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Applied Arts And Sciences in Technical Management
University of Texas of the Permian Basin Odessa, TX Online CS Degrees: 1

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(432) 552-2020
901 East University Boulevard, Odessa, TX 79762


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology
Northwood University Cedar Hill, TX Online CS Degrees: 1

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(800) 622-9000
1114 W FM 1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Bachelor of Business Administration in Computer Information Management
Lamar Institute of Technology Beaumont, TX Online CS Degrees: 1

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(409) 880-8321
855 E Lavaca St, Beaumont, TX 77705


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Associate Degree in Health Information Technology
Howard College Big Spring, TX Online CS Degrees: 1

ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO

(432) 264-5000
1001 Birdwell Ln, Big Spring, TX 79720


UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

  • Associate of Applied Science (Aas) in Business – Management Information Systems