Everything’s bigger in Texas . . .
. . . including business! If you’re in Texas, and you’re interested in a business career, things just might be coming up aces in your near future.
According to the state comptroller of public accounts, the Texas Gross State Product (GSP) is projected to increase significantly over the next 10 years, the population is on a steady growth trend, and unemployment is decreasing by the year. Those are all good signs for business!
Texas also shares with California the honor of being the state with the most Fortune 500 companies based in the state, and it is home to a wide variety of industries, including computers and electronics, energy production, agriculture, and biomedical technologies. It also leads the country in export revenue. So if you’re a home-grown Texan interested in business and not interested in leaving your great state, you’ve got lots of reasons to stay!
The Lone Star state is the second largest state in the country, however, so it’s not always feasible to pack up and move for a business degree.If that’s the situation you find yourself in, we’ve got some good news for you. We’ve put together a list of the top 10 online bachelor’s degrees in business in the state of Texas, which means you can pursue the degree you want in the state you love without leaving home.
The first thing we want to know, like you, is the bottom line: how much is this going to set me back? So we’ve included the annual tuition for each school right up front for you. We’ve also included our College Choice Score, which is computed based on each school’s reputation in the field and its return on investment. The end result is a list of schools that balance cost, reputation, and, ultimately, what they can do for you and your unique goals. Note that not all programs are complete, four-year programs; some of them are “degree completion” programs, which means you might need to take your first year or two at a local college before enrolling in the online program.
The rankings you’re about to read are based on a few important sources. The first source is actual college freshman polled during a nationwide survey published by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA. These students rated academic reputation, financial aid offerings, overall cost of school, and the survey also took into account graduate success rates ono the post-college job market. These factors were weighed equally alongside data from other publicly available sources, including U.S. News & World Report, the National Center for Education Statistics, and PayScale.com.
Texas is a big state . . . but so is your future!
1
Lamar University
Lamar University is a public institution that was founded in 1923. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 9,174, and it is dedicated to providing a learning environment of the highest quality. The University is an educational, scientific, engineering, business, and cultural resource center committed to the threefold mission of teaching, research and service. The University is committed to providing students with a liberal education in the context of a global and multicultural environment and seeks partnerships with business, governmental, industrial and other educational organizations to more efficiently accomplish its goals.
The Lamar University Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business online degree program gives students a thorough business background to explore a broad range of career paths in accounting, real estate, insurance, human resource management, marketing and finance while also allowing you the opportunity to specialize in one of several areas. The Bachelor of Business Administration in General Business online degree program is designed to help you develop an understanding of the roles of ethics and public policy in business. Students will gain a broad range of computer and data analysis skills, including highly sought-after SAP training, and will graduate with a solid understanding of economics, finance, marketing and management principles, and communication skills.
2
West Texas A&M University
West Texas A&M University, a member of The Texas A&M University System, is the northernmost senior institution of higher learning in the state. Its location in the Texas Panhandle makes it one of the most accessible and affordable universities in the five-state region. Traditionally recognized for excellence in agriculture, business, teacher preparation, music and nursing, WTAMU offers 58 undergraduate and 39 graduate degree programs, including a Ph.D. in agriculture, to almost 9,000 students. The University also is a leader in distance education, offering individual classes and nine undergraduate and 13 master’s degree programs that can be completed totally online. Satellite opportunities also are available, including courses taught at WTAMU’s Amarillo Center.
The College of Business at West Texas A&M University (COB) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree online with four different major options: management, marketing, general business, or law & economics. The online options provide an opportunity for working students and those living at a distance to earn a bachelor’s degree. All courses needed to complete the degree can be earned completely online, or students can combine on-campus and online courses to earn the degree. The web-based and the on-campus courses are offered during the same semesters, taught by the same faculty, share the same content, and meet the same learning objectives.
3
Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University is one of the most innovative and diverse universities in Texas. Founded in 1879 as the first teacher-training school in the Southwest, SHSU now has more than 20,000 students and 140 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. SHSU, a “Community Engaged” institution, is classified as a Doctoral Research University by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education and was recently recognized by U.S. News and World Report for being among the best in the country for online graduate programs. Provides students with a personalized experience and supports their academic success through services obtained in the nationally-recognized Student Advising and Mentoring (SAM) Center. Located in East Texas 70 miles north of Houston, Sam Houston State University is known as one of the most “wired” universities in the nation and is “A Great Name in Texas Education.”
Sam Houston offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration degree in General Business Administration. With coursework spanning finance, marketing, public relations, management, sales, and production, students can expect to cover all the bases. The online Bachelor of Business Administration degree in General Business Administration degree from SHSU Online offers the same benefits as the on-campus program, but with the convenience of online delivery.
4
University of Texas of the Permian Basin
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin has garnered national attention with awards for communications, arts, kinesiology, and online degree programs. Its business school is ranked in the top third of U.S. business schools, and earned accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)-International. Its social work program is nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Its art program, music, athletic training, mechanical engineering and College of Education are also nationally accredited. UTPB also offers degrees in some of the fastest growing career fields such as education, criminal justice, computer science, mechanical engineering, petroleum engineering, nursing, industrial technology and information systems.
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin offers the only business program in the region accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Its already well-respected Bachelor of Business Administration in Management (BBA) degree is also available online. Its online college curriculum has been carefully tailored to provide students with a comprehensive analysis of a broad range of business concepts and best practices—including accounting, finance, organizational behavior, operational theory and business ethics. Some students can transfer into the BBA Management program with just 24 credit hours. Business school graduates emerge with practical skills that offer considerable career flexibility and have be. With a BBA in Management, individuals are prepared for career opportunities in a variety of business sectors and have been placed in human resources, business administration, marketing, sales, management and many other fields.
5
LeTourneau University
LeTourneau University is an interdenominational Christian university with a wide array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the College of Engineering, Business and Technology; the College of Aviation & Aeronautical Science; the College of College of Education, Arts and Sciences; and the College of Health Sciences & Professional Studies. LETU’s nearly 2,800 students represent nearly all 50 states, more than 30 foreign countries, and 53 different denominational groups. About 1,300 students study at the main residential campus in Longview, Texas, located in the pine-forested hills and lakes of East Texas, 120 miles east of Dallas, Texas, and 60 miles west of Shreveport, La. Students are also enrolled in a robust suite of online programs, as well as the university’s innovative hybrid programs in Dallas and Houston.
LeTourneau’s online BBA program is designed for everyone from working professionals seeking a degree to improve career prospects to recent high school graduates interested in degree options that don’t require a commute. LETU’s BBA offers a flexible, well-rounded course sequence designed to give you the knowledge base necessary to develop strong business leadership skills. Classes are offered completely online or on-ground at LETU’s Houston Education Center. Areas of emphasis include Business Ethics, Project Management, Principles of Economics, and Strategic Management. Courses are generally taken one at a time and last from three to seven weeks. Coursework begins on Monday each week, with most assignments due by Sunday at midnight.
6
Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University is a public institution that was founded in 1923. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 11,000 students. It is a comprehensive institution dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative work, and service. Through the personal attention of its faculty and staff, it engages its students in a learner-centered environment and offers opportunities to prepare for the challenges of living in the global community.
The online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in General Business offered by Stephen F. Austin State University allows students who have completed courses at another institution of higher education to complete the last two years of a degree program. The General Business major is designed for students interested in developing a broad-based understanding of the business disciplines. This major will provide students with the flexibility to emphasize a specific area within the broader framework of business courses. The program is designed for students who have earned an associate’s degree in business from a two-year institution and are limited by time and distance in their options for completing a BBA degree. The BBA degree at SFA is fully accredited by AACSB, the premier international accreditation agency for programs in business.
7
University of the Incarnate Word
Founded in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, UIW is the largest Catholic university in the state and the fourth largest private university in Texas. The University of the Incarnate Word’s (UIW) main campus is located in the prestigious Alamo Heights area with satellite campus locations throughout San Antonio, a presence in Corpus Christi and campuses in Mexico and Germany. With 130 years of tradition, Incarnate Word is known not only for its academic excellence but for its diversity and personal attention to the over 8000 students who call UIW home. At UIW students can choose from a variety of interesting and challenging majors, including biology, business administration, nursing, rehabilitative science, vision science, education and computer graphic arts.
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree program at UIW develops in each student a broad understanding of how the elements and processes of business organizations relate to one another and to the external environment. Degree requirements are designed to develop proficiency and confidence in the functional areas of business. In addition to providing the technical skills required for a professional level business position, the ethical considerations of business are emphasized. This program offers students a broad background in Business Administration, with the added benefit of concentrating studies in a specific area of interest, such as Accounting, Finance, General Management, Project Management, General Marketing, Information Systems, and General Business.
8
University of Houston Downtown
The University of Houston-Downtown provides life-changing educational access and opportunities to individuals living in one of the most diverse metropolitan areas in Texas. UHD is a federally designated Minority- and Hispanic-Serving Institution. Students, including many first-generation college students, enjoy working directly with dedicated faculty in a close-knit environment that provides superb academic- and student-support services. Access is broadened through a philosophy that keeps UHD’s tuition and fee structure as affordable as possible; the University’s charges for tuition and fees are often among the lowest of public universities in the state. UHD students also find that the University provides flexibility that fits their lifestyles because many students pursue degrees while working full or part time. Students take advantage of flexible scheduling and online options as they pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The UHD College of Business mission is to provide a high-quality business education to prepare students for immediate entry into the business community. Designed for students who seek a strong interdisciplinary business program, the General Business major combines a solid foundation of general education, and an understanding of the fundamental theories and procedures of basic business functions. Students will receive an overview of the principles of modern business, including accounting, management and basic communication skills. The program offers students the option to tailor their course work to meet their individual goals, whether they lean toward entrepreneurial pursuits, or careers in land management, international business law or any of a wide range of areas. UHD’s BBA program is offered in the evenings in sixteen-week sessions UHD Northwest (Lone Star College-University Park) and UHD Kingwood Lone Star College.
9
University of Houston Clear Lake
University of Houston-Clear Lake is an innovative, partnership-oriented institution that enriches the lives of its students through high-quality academic programs. Founded in 1974, it offers students many paths to career and personal success through its upper-level undergraduate and graduate programs in the fields of business, education, human sciences and humanities, and science and computer engineering. UHCL awards undergraduate degrees in 39 disciplines, master’s degrees in 45 disciplines and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership. Approximately 8,665 students attend UHCL, with over 5,000 undergraduate students. In addition to traditional face-to-face instruction, distance learning options are an integral part of the university’s education delivery system. Many students take advantage of off-campus programs at partner institutions and various off-campus sites in the Houston metropolitan area.
University of Houston-Clear Lake’s College of Business offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in General Business, and it is accredited by AACSB International, a distinction few schools achieve. The online program is designed as a flexible curriculum that meets the needs of full-time students and practicing professionals. Students prepare for a variety of career opportunities and will have the skills that companies in all sectors are looking for. Areas of study in the program include finance, marketing, sales, labor relations and statistical analysis, as well as training in critical thinking, problem-solving, ethics and social responsibility.
10
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas Baptist University is a private institution that was founded in 1898. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,300 students. At Dallas Baptist University, or DBU, faith is integrated into academics and campus life. The university is divided into academic departments such as the College of Christian Faith and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. It offers 7 Associate degrees, 72 Bachelor’s, 49 Accelerated Bachelor/Master’s, 28 Master’s, 59 Dual Master’s, and 2 Doctoral degree programs. DBU strives to incorporate innovation and Christian values to better serve its students. At DBU, students learn to exemplify servant leadership and how to integrate Biblical faith and academic learning in their daily lives.
DBU is one of the pioneers in Christian online education and offers quality degree programs completely online without required campus visits. Small class sizes, excellent course materials, and expert instructors combine to provide students with a rich and rewarding online experience. With 61 full programs currently available, the DBU Online Education program successfully maintains a 92% student course completion rate. DBU offers a BBA online with majors in Management, Management Information Systems, and Marketing. It also offers a Bachelor of Business Studies with majors in Business Administration, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems, and Marketing.