Top 10 Cheapest Colleges in Texas (2025)

The cost of pursuing a college degree has been on a continuous incline. Each year, more and more colleges are steadily increasing their tuition costs and fees.

Due to this, current and new students are constantly seeking resources that will provide financial assistance. In addition, many individuals are beginning to target more affordable colleges and universities.

Learn.org identifies the 10 cheapest colleges in Texas and helps answer commonly asked questions about selecting a college in the state.

List of Cheap Colleges in Texas

The following list contains the 10 cheapest colleges in Texas.

1. Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University is a popular university widely known for offering affordable degree programs. The institution offers around 133 undergraduate, 175 master's, and 92 doctoral degree programs.

The degree programs available can range from various fields of study, such as:

• public health
• nursing
• engineering
• education
• business

The university is completely affordable and has an in-state tuition of around $12,000 for each academic year.

2. The University of Texas Permian Basin

The University of Texas Permian Basin is a public university that is located in Odessa, TX. The university was founded in 1973 and is considered to be one of the cheapest colleges in Texas.

The university offers a modern, affordable education to individuals who aspire to earn a college degree. Once admitted, students can choose from more than 50 undergraduate, graduate, and online degree programs.

3. Angelo State University

Angelo State University is another public university that is located in San Angelo, TX. The university has the second-largest campus in the Texas system and enrolls more than 10,400 undergraduate and graduate students.

ASU offers more than 100 affordable majors and concentrations through its six colleges:

• business
• science and engineering
• education
• arts and humanities
• health and human services

The college offers small class sizes with a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio and offers mentorship opportunities to each of its students. The university's in-state tuition is a little more than $7,000.

4. Tarleton State University

Tarleton State University offers nearly 100 undergraduate and graduate degrees for students to select from.

The university has eight academic colleges:

• agriculture and natural resources
• business
• education
• graduate studies
• health sciences
• liberal and fine arts
• science and mathematics
• engineering

The institution has over 150 student organizations and offers a 23:1 student-to-faculty ratio. In-state students can expect their tuition and fees to total around $10,000 for each year.

5. University of Houston

The University of Houston is considered to be the third-largest university in the state. The university enrolls more than 46,000 students and has around 300,000 total alumni.

In total, the university has 276 degree programs and more than 1,000 online courses. The degree programs available include bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs that offer high-quality curriculums and faculty members.

Areas of study include information systems, industrial design, entrepreneurship, biotechnology, and many others. UH is also one of the most affordable with an in-state tuition cost of around $9,000.

6. Sul Ross State University

Sul Ross State University is one of the top-value colleges in Texas. Since 1917, the university has been widely known to provide a diverse range of degree programs.

The university consists of an endless number of undergraduate, graduate, and online degree programs that are available at an affordable price.

Students are exposed to four academic colleges:

• Rio Grande College
• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Agricultural and Natural Resource Management
• College of Professional Studies

On average, the university has more than 2,100 students and has an in-state tuition of around $7,000.

7. Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville, TX. It is a great choice for students who are seeking a degree at an affordable cost.

With a student body of more than 21,000 students and 170 areas of study, the university is responsible for producing graduates who are more than ready for career advancement.

The institution has received continuous praise for many of its programs, such as:

• education
• mathematics
• fine arts
• business
• criminal justice

On average, the university provides a 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio and heavily encourages collaborative classroom settings.

8. Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University was established in 1923 and enrolls more than 38,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.

Throughout the university, students can select from more than 150 areas of study.

Areas of study include:

• engineering
• agricultural science
• business
• arts and sciences
• agriculture

The university is a public research university that provides the highest standards of excellence in higher education and affordability. The in-state tuition is estimated at around $9,000.

9. Criswell College

Criswell College is a liberal arts college that is located in Dallas, TX. The college was established in 1970 and consists of bachelor's degree programs in psychology, education, philosophy, and politics.

The college is Christian-based and requires all undergraduate students to complete 42 hours of coursework in ministry and theology. The college also offers small class sizes with 79% of undergrad classes being less than 20 students.

10. University of North Texas

The University of North Texas enrolls nearly 38,000 students and offers 112 bachelor's programs and 132 master's and doctoral programs

The university has 15 academic colleges and is widely known to offer low-cost bachelor's degree programs in a variety of subjects.

Bachelor's programs include:

• data science
• business
• urban policy and planning
• economics

The institution awards more than $405 million in financial aid and encourages affordability throughout the school. In-state students can expect to have tuition rates close to $11,000.

How Much Will a College Degree Cost?

The average cost of a degree in Texas is around $30,000. Due to an average in-state tuition per credit hour of around $274, students can expect to pay between $30,000 to $35,000 for a four-year degree.

How To Make College Affordable

Financial Aid

Seeking financial aid opportunities through the use of federal loans and grants is one of the most popular methods used to assist students with the cost of their education.

Undergraduate loans are typically broken down into two different forms: subsidized and unsubsidized. Both types of loans are required to be repaid by the student at a later time.

Grants are also provided by the federal government and are a great resource for students to use towards their education costs.

Scholarships

Students are also encouraged to seek out scholarship opportunities. Students are eligible to take advantage of the merit-based awards if they can demonstrate academic excellence.

Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance programs are another popular method used, primarily by working students. Some employers offer these programs to their employees who need financial assistance for their education.

Do Cheap Colleges in Texas Offer High-Quality Education?

The cheapest colleges in Texas are more than capable of providing a high-quality education to their students. There are numerous resources available that guarantee a student's success.

The most important factor in selecting a college is its accreditation status. A university that is accredited is a great way to show that an institution is meeting certain educational standards.

In-State Vs. Out-of-State Tuition Rates

Texas is one of many states that offer affordable degree programs. On average, in-state students can expect the total cost of their degree to be between $30,000 to $35,000. Tuition costs are typically around $9,000.

Out-of-state tuition costs are typically much higher. The total cost of a college degree for an out-of-state student is close to $40,000.

Find an Affordable College in Texas Today

The cheapest colleges in Texas offer a wide range of affordable degrees. If any of these programs interest you, please reach out to the institution's official website for further assistance on their admission process.