Accelerated Online Bachelor's Programs in Texas 2026

Online courses provide flexible and affordable opportunities for Texas students, especially compared to on-campus programs. Distance learning options in Texas also include accelerated online bachelor's degree programs, which allow students to complete their undergraduate higher education faster than a traditional degree.

Learn more about accelerated bachelor's degree online, available fields of study, total tuition costs, and how quickly you can earn your undergraduate degree.

How Long Does It Take To Earn an Online Bachelor's Degree in Texas?

The average time to complete an online undergraduate program in Texas is four years. However, accelerated online bachelor's degree programs can reduce the time required from four years to as little as eight months. Ultimately, the length of your degree will depend on the amount of transfer credits you have, the accelerated curriculum, the ability to learn quickly, and other factors.

Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in Texas

Accelerated programs are the fastest way to get a bachelor's degree, no matter where you live. Multiple factors can accelerate an online program, including the design of the degree program, acceptance of transfer credits, and asynchronous coursework.

1. Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University (TTU) offers accelerated degree completion programs online through its Texas Tech DFW and Texas Tech El Paso campuses. These programs allow students to bring in up to 80 credit hours - or 90 credit hours if 10 hours are from upper-level courses. Enrollment includes meeting with academic advisors to craft a tailored education plan utilizing your already-earned credits to finish your online degree program in under a year.

‍Time to completion: 12 months

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Texas State University

Online students at Texas State University (TSU) can enroll in self-paced and accelerated online programs to take control of their education. Students can transfer up to 90 total credits from a community college or another university to reduce the total amount of time needed to earn a degree. Students can choose from public administration, communication studies, and psychology online learning options.

‍Time to completion: two semesters (usually nine months total)

Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Lamar University

Lamar University's (LU) online Bachelor of Science or Arts programs include human resource management, criminal justice, and finance. Lamar offers accelerated classes that can be completed in five- or eight-week sessions to accelerate the total degree program. LU offers multiple start dates throughout the year and accepts up to 90 transfer credits.

‍Time to completion: Less than one year with maximum transfer credits

Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. University of North Texas

The University of North Texas (UNT) has a partnership with Coursera to offer a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) with nine different specializations. These include data analytics, information technology, and hospitality management. UNT designed these programs specifically to benefit learners with prior college (up to 84 transfer credits) or military credits.

‍Time to completion: One year with maximum transfer credits

Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. University of Texas Permian Basin

There are 16 accelerated undergraduate online degrees available at the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB). These degrees come from the College of Business, the College of Arts & Sciences, and the College of Health & Human Performance. Available fields of study include healthcare leadership, humanities, and an RN-to-BSN program.

Students can transfer up to 90 credit hours and participate in courses every eight weeks, instead of the standard 15 weeks.

‍Time to completion: Eight months to one year

Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) offers accelerated online bachelor's degrees in 10 fields of study. In addition to these programs, UTA offers online master's degree programs for learners looking to continue their education. After determining eligibility, UTA students can qualify for the Blaze Forward financial aid program and receive full tuition coverage.

‍Time to completion: 12 to 24 months

Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. East Texas A&M

East Texas A&M (ETAM), formerly Texas A&M University-Commerce, has six accelerated undergraduate degrees and corresponding graduate programs. Some fields of study available include biological sciences, computer science, and mathematics. ETAM also has degree-specific financial aid programs to help learners further reduce their tuition costs.

‍Time to completion: Two years with maximum transfer credits

Accreditation: SACSCOC

Other Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degrees in the U.S.

The availability of fast online degree programs often extends past state lines. If Texan students can't find their desired accelerated online degree program in-state, they can look into these schools from other states.

Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) offers self-paced and accelerated degrees. Learners can enroll in as many courses per six-month session as they choose. This allows learners to work quickly through information they already know. Students can also transfer associate degrees or equivalent credits to satisfy lower-division or general education credits.

‍Time to completion: Less than two years

Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

Southern New Hampshire University

Students at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) can complete six different accelerated degree programs. These programs can result in accelerated undergraduate and graduate degrees in subjects such as marketing, accounting, and sports management. Students can earn graduate credits alongside their undergraduate credits to get a head start on their online master's degree.

‍Time to completion: Two and a half years or five years for an accelerated bachelor's to master's program

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

Elizabethtown College

Students at Elizabethtown College can earn an online degree through five-week courses. Many students only enroll in one course at a time, but it is possible to do more than one. Students can choose from popular degrees, including business administration, professional studies, and healthcare administration.

‍Time to completion: One to three years

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

How We Rank Schools

We used four strict criteria to assemble this list of accredited online bachelor's degrees. These schools were evaluated on accreditation, program length, and costs to give a holistic review.

• Accreditation: All of these schools have regional accreditation. This will ensure your degree meets academic standards and can qualify you for graduate programs.
• Program length: All of these degrees can be completed in fewer than four years, which is the standard for bachelor's degrees.
• Program reputation and quality: We selected schools that have quality reputations from accreditors and third-party publications.
• Tuition cost: We also tried to find programs with tuition rates under $500 for in-state learners. These programs can save time and money compared to other schools.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

How To Accelerate Your Bachelor’s Degree in Texas

Accelerating your bachelor's degree can be significantly cost-effective. Because expediting your studies means graduating in one to three years, you'll be a lot on rent, transportation, and academic expenses. Moreover, you can enter the workforce early if you accelerate your degree. This means that you can begin paying off any debts you may accrue as a student.

There are different ways to earn a diploma quickly. Today, we'll discuss three strategies that you can try.

• Take summer and winter classes: Spend your summer and winter completing coursework for your major. This will not just allow you to earn credits outside the usual fall and spring semesters, but it will also help you maximize your credits in a year. Moreover, quickly completing your academic requirements will speed up your degree.
• Apply to an accelerated bachelor's program: As we've shared earlier, there are several universities in and out of Texas that offer accelerated degree programs. Enrolling in one of them will allow you to graduate in as early as 12 months. Furthermore, each of the colleges we checked earlier offers accelerated programs in various fields. So, you don't have to worry about your major, because there are several options to choose from.
• Take your college classes online: Online course providers like Study.com offer flexible and customizable college classes. This means that you can customize your learning experience to match your pace. In addition, you can access these courses anytime, anywhere. Taking your college classes through an online provider can help expedite the completion of your course load, so you can graduate early.

FAQs About the Fastest Bachelor's Degrees in Texas

Accelerated online degrees allow students to save time and money on their bachelor's programs. Students often have questions about these programs, including the quickest degrees, the cheapest degrees, and whether any degrees can be completed in one year.

Are There Any One-Year Online Bachelor's Degrees in Texas?

There aren't any designated one-year bachelor's degree online in Texas, but there are some programs that can be completed in as few as a single year with qualifying transfer credits, but these programs generally aren't designed to be completed in that short of a time.

What Are the Admission Requirements for Accelerated Bachelor’s Programs?

The specific admission requirements for accelerated degrees vary depending on the school and program. Some universities may require a prior bachelor's degree or college credit. There are also institutions that will set a minimum GPA that you have to meet. In some cases, you can only apply to a program after you complete your major's prerequisite courses.

Apart from taking note of the information we shared, it is still best that you contact your school. Your college administrators will be able to give you accurate information regarding your program's admission requirements.

How Many Classes Do You Take at Once in an Accelerated Program?

Typically, students in an accelerated bachelor's program only take one to two courses at once. And unlike traditional bachelor's programs, where classes last up to 15 weeks, these courses span between five andd eight weeks only. However, students in these programs need to take these compressed courses consecutively, with short breaks in between.

This set-up allows students to focus on mastering their classes and completing their coursework in a short timespan. As such, students are expected to spend at least 20 to 30 hours completing coursework every week.

What Majors Can You Study in an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Program?

Most accelerated bachelor's degree programs are offered in high-demand fields, such as nursing, business, and accounting. Schools also often offer an expedited option in psychology, marketing, information technology, criminal justice, and public health. This allows schools to shorten the gap between education and employment in fields with significantly strong demand.

Despite this, more and more universities are beginning to offer accelerated degree programs in more niche fields. This includes biomimicry, emergency management, digital mapping, fermentation or bakery science, and ethical hacking.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees

Learn more about the accelerated degrees in Texas and the schools that offer them by reading our articles and school profiles. When you find programs that interest you, our resources make it easy to request info or start your application process today.