Best Public Policy Schools in Texas: Online Programs (2026)

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Texas Public Policy At a Glance

Metric Detail
Median Public Policy Salary $92,309
Salary Outlook Texas offers competitive wages for public policy professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body Texas Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation Required Institutional + Regional

Earning an online public policy degree in Texas offers a flexible path into public policy careers. Texas offers competitive wages for public policy professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Texas students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Public Policy Schools in Texas

The following schools offer accredited online public policy programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Texas.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Houston, TX
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
96.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $88,757
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 35

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Rice University

Houston, TX
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
  • Accredited
93.6 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 8%
Graduation rate 95%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $89,718
Avg net price $13,370/yr
Tuition
In‑state$64,144
Out‑of‑state$64,144
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 98%
  • Programs offered: 78

Source:Accreditor: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on CollegesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#3

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
84.2 BOC Score
Graduation rate 85%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $75,121
Avg net price $19,857/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 96%
  • Programs offered: 180

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Texas

Public Policy professionals in Texas experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Texas.

Occupation Median Annual Salary (Texas)
Political Scientists $114,050
Management Analysts $101,400
Economists $121,420
Social and Community Service Managers $76,520
Survey Researchers $47,330
Compliance Officers $75,370
General and Operations Managers $103,230
Financial and Investment Analysts $99,150

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Public Policy Degree in Texas?

Choosing a program in Texas can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Texas offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Texas economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online public policy programs in Texas accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Public Policy pay in Texas compare to other states?

Texas offers competitive wages for public policy professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Texas a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for public policy in Texas?

The Texas Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Texas. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Public Policy Programs by City in Texas

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Abilene · Alice · Allen · Alvin · Amarillo · Arlington · Austin · Balch Springs · Baytown · Beaumont · Bedford · Belton · Benbrook · Big Spring · Brownsville · Brownwood · Bryan · Burleson · Carrollton · Cedar Hill · Cedar Park · Cibolo · Cleburne · College Station · Colleyville · Conroe · Converse · Coppell · Copperas Cove · Corinth · Corpus Christi · Corsicana · Dallas · Deer Park · Del Rio · Denison · Denton · DeSoto · Dickinson · Duncanville · Eagle Pass · Edinburg · El Paso · Euless · Farmers Branch · Flower Mound · Forney · Fort Worth · Friendswood · Frisco · Galveston · Garland · Georgetown · Granbury · Grand Prairie · Grapevine · Greenville · Haltom City · Harker Heights · Harlingen · Houston · Huntsville · Hurst · Hutto · Irving · Keller · Kerrville · Killeen · Kingsville · Kyle · La Porte · Lake Jackson · Lancaster · Laredo · League City · Leander · Lewisville · Little Elm · Longview · Lubbock · Lufkin · Mansfield · Marshall · McAllen · McKinney · Mesquite · Midland · Midlothian · Mission · Missouri City · Murphy · Nacogdoches · New Braunfels · North Richland Hills · Odessa · Paris · Pasadena · Pearland · Pflugerville · Pharr · Plainview · Plano · Port Arthur · Richardson · Rio Grande City · Rockwall · Rosenberg · Round Rock · Rowlett · Sachse · Saginaw · San Angelo · San Antonio · San Benito · San Juan · San Marcos · Schertz · Seguin · Sherman · Socorro · Southlake · Stephenville · Sugar Land · Temple · Texarkana · Texas City · The Colony · Tyler · Universal City · University Park · Victoria · Waco · Watauga · Waxahachie · Weatherford · Weslaco · Wichita Falls · Wylie


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