Texas-first college-path directory

Don't choose a college. Choose the highest-return path to your future.

PathMax Texas Paths helps a Texas family compare ways into a career or major — especially cheaper 2+2 routes — before they spend $100,000 on college. Published by Plain Steps. This is not the PathMax Android app.

Browse starter careers Read the 2+2 example

Houston-area sibling: HCC → Texas State published-tuition example. Dallas-area sibling: Dallas College → UNT Denton published-tuition example. San Antonio sibling: Alamo Colleges → UTSA published-tuition example. Fort Worth / Tarrant County sibling: TCC → UNT Denton published-tuition example. El Paso sibling: EPCC → UTEP published-tuition example. Lubbock / South Plains sibling: SPC → Texas Tech published-tuition example. Corpus Christi sibling: Del Mar → TAMU-CC published-tuition example. Tyler sibling: TJC → UT Tyler published-tuition example. Amarillo sibling: AC → WTAMU published-tuition example. McAllen / Rio Grande Valley sibling: STC → UTRGV published-tuition example. Brownsville / Rio Grande Valley sibling: TSC → UTRGV published-tuition example. Laredo / Webb County sibling: LC → TAMIU published-tuition example. Waco / McLennan County sibling: MCC → TAMUCT published-tuition example. Beaumont / Southeast Texas sibling: LIT → LU published-tuition example. Midland–Odessa / Permian Basin sibling: OC → UTPB published-tuition example. Victoria / Crossroads sibling: VC → TAMUV published-tuition example. Texarkana sibling: TC → TAMUT published-tuition example. Wichita Falls sibling: Vernon → MSU published-tuition example. Abilene sibling: Cisco → ASU published-tuition example. Bryan–College Station sibling: Blinn → TAMU published-tuition example. Galveston sibling: GC → UHCL published-tuition example. Killeen–Temple sibling: CTC → TAMUCT published-tuition example. Nacogdoches–Lufkin sibling: AC → SFA published-tuition example. Huntsville sibling: LSC → SHSU published-tuition example. San Marcos sibling: ACC → TXST published-tuition example. Denton sibling: NCTC → TWU published-tuition example. Stephenville sibling: Ranger → Tarleton published-tuition example. Commerce sibling: PJC → ETAMU published-tuition example. Clear Lake sibling: San Jacinto → UHCL published-tuition example. Arlington sibling: TCC → UTA (Arlington) published-tuition example. Richardson sibling: Dallas College (Dallas County) → UT Dallas published-tuition example. Prairie View sibling: Blinn → Prairie View A&M published-tuition example. South San Antonio sibling: Alamo → A&M–San Antonio published-tuition example. Downtown Houston sibling: HCC → UH–Downtown published-tuition example. South Dallas sibling: Dallas College → UNT Dallas published-tuition example. Third Ward Houston sibling: HCC → Texas Southern published-tuition example. Pasadena sibling: SJC → UH (Pasadena) published-tuition example. Kingwood sibling: LSC → UH (Kingwood) published-tuition example. Plano / McKinney sibling: Collin College → UT Dallas published-tuition example. Longview / Kilgore sibling: Kilgore College → UT Tyler published-tuition example. Published stickers: KC In-District $1,350 / 15 SCH ($90/SCH, 2026–2027 catalog chart) and UT Tyler Texas Resident $4,821 / 15 SCH (2026–2027 schedule). Worked map: 2+2 $24,684 vs 8-sem $38,568 (gap $13,884). Many Longview addresses are Out-of-District: $2,535 / 15 SCH → 2+2 $29,424 (gap $9,144). Warnings: KC Non-Resident $3,285; UT Tyler Non-Texas Resident $12,591. Texas Direct = TEC §61.834 only — no admission guarantee. Sherman–Denison sibling: Grayson College → UNT (Denton) published-tuition example. Published stickers: GC In-District $1,500 / 15 SCH ($100/SCH, 2026–2027 catalog) and UNT Texas Resident $6,046 per semester (from UNT's 2026-2027 $12,092 for 15 + 15 hours). Worked map: 2+2 $30,184 vs 8-sem $48,368 (gap $18,184). Outside Grayson County: GC Out-of-District $2,250 / 15 SCH → 2+2 $33,184 (gap $15,184). Warnings: GC Non-Resident $3,150; UNT Non-Resident $12,466. Texas Direct = TEC §61.834 only — no admission guarantee. Sugar Land sibling: Wharton County Junior College → University of Houston published-tuition example. Published stickers: WCJC Out-of-District Sugar Land $3,150 / 15 SCH ($210/SCH) and UH CLASS–Liberal Arts Texas Resident $5,943.90 per semester (AY2027). Worked map: 2+2 $36,375.60 vs 8-sem $47,551.20 (gap $11,175.60). Wharton County / Needville ISD In-District $2,010 → 2+2 $31,815.60 (gap $15,735.60). Warnings: WCJC Out-of-State $3,780; UH Non-Resident $14,232.90. Texas Direct = TEC §61.834 only — no admission guarantee. Corsicana sibling: Navarro College → East Texas A&M published-tuition example. Published stickers: NC In-District $1,504 / 15 SCH and ETAMU One Year Plan Texas Resident $5,013.07 / 15 SCH. Worked map: 2+2 $26,068.28 vs 8-sem $40,104.56 (gap $14,036.28). Out-of-District $2,359 → 2+2 $29,488.28 (gap $10,616.28). Warnings: NC Non-Texas $3,289; ETAMU Out of State $11,133.07. Texas Direct = TEC §61.834 only — no admission guarantee. Paris sibling: Paris Junior College → East Texas A&M published-tuition example. Published stickers: PJC In-District (Lamar County) $1,350 / 15 SCH and ETAMU One Year Plan Texas Resident $5,013.07 / 15 SCH. Worked map: 2+2 $25,452.28 vs 8-sem $40,104.56 (gap $14,652.28). Out-of-District $2,100 → 2+2 $28,452.28 (gap $11,652.28). Dragon Now alternate (+$300 / 15 SCH): In-District $26,652.28; Out-of- District $29,652.28. Warnings: PJC Non-Resident $2,850; ETAMU Out of State $11,133.07. Texas Direct = TEC §61.834 only — no admission guarantee. Baytown sibling: Lee College → University of Houston–Clear Lake published-tuition example. Published stickers: Lee College In-District $1,334 / 15 SCH (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 tables) and UHCL College of Education Texas Resident $4,562.70 per semester (AY 2026–2027). Worked map: 2+2 $23,586.80 vs 8-sem $36,501.60 (gap $12,914.80). Out-of-District $2,406.50 → 2+2 $27,876.80 (gap $8,624.80). Warnings: Lee Non-Resident $2,669; UHCL Non-Resident $12,827.70. Texas Direct = TEC §61.834 only — no admission guarantee. Lake Jackson sibling: Brazosport College → University of Houston–Clear Lake published-tuition example. Published stickers: Brazosport College In-District $1,732.50 / 15 SCH (Cashier's Office 2026–2027 catalog tuition table; includes myBC Books $25/SCH) and UHCL College of Education Texas Resident $4,562.70 per semester (AY 2026–2027). Worked map: 2+2 $25,180.80 vs 8-sem $36,501.60 (gap $11,320.80). Out-of-District $2,242.50 → 2+2 $27,220.80 (gap $9,280.80). Warnings: Brazosport Out-of-State/International $3,052.50; UHCL Non-Resident $12,827.70. Texas Direct = TEC §61.834 only — no admission guarantee. Alvin sibling: Alvin Community College → University of Houston–Clear Lake published-tuition example. Published stickers: Alvin College In-District $1,136 / 15 SCH (2026-2027) and UHCL College of Education Texas Resident $4,562.70 per semester (AY 2026–2027). Worked map: 2+2 $22,794.80 vs 8-sem $36,501.60 (gap $13,706.80). Out-of-District $1,901 → 2+2 $25,854.80 (gap $10,646.80). Warnings: Alvin Non-Resident $2,696; UHCL Non-Resident $12,827.70. Texas Direct = TEC §61.834 only — no admission guarantee. Texas City sibling: College of the Mainland → University of Houston–Clear Lake published-tuition example. Published stickers: COM In-District $1,155 / 15 SCH (2026-2027, $77 per SCH) and UHCL College of Education Texas Resident $4,562.70 per semester (AY 2026–2027). Worked map: 2+2 $22,870.80 vs 8-sem $36,501.60 (gap $13,630.80). Out-of-District $1,725 → 2+2 $25,150.80 (gap $11,350.80). Warnings: COM Out-of-State $2,070; UHCL Non-Resident $12,827.70. Texas Direct = TEC §61.834 only — no admission guarantee. Conroe sibling: Lone Star College-Montgomery → Sam Houston State University published-tuition example. Published stickers: LSC In-District $1,665 / 15 SCH (Conroe ISD is inside LSC taxing boundaries) and SHSU Texas Resident $5,685 per semester (Fall 2026 / Spring 2027). Worked map: 2+2 $29,400 vs 8-sem $45,480 (gap $16,080). Out-of-District $3,735 → 2+2 $37,680 (gap $7,800). Warnings: LSC Out-of-State $4,695; SHSU Non-Resident $12,105. Texas Direct = TEC §61.834 only — no admission guarantee.

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What this site is for

Too many Texas families pick a campus first and a bill second. The higher-return question is usually: what credential does the career actually require, and what is the cheapest honest on-ramp in public Texas — community-college transfer, a four-year public from the freshman year, a technical college, a registered apprenticeship, or a real online/hybrid public option?

We start with nineteen careers Texas families already search, and five path types. Read a career page and you should be able to tell which on-ramp is cheaper, with sources — not with a motivational video.

Browse by path type

All path types

CC transfer

Complete the Texas Core Curriculum and, where a Field of Study exists, the major block at a public two-year college, then finish a bachelor's at a public university.

4-year public

Enter a Texas public university as a first-year student and complete the bachelor's on that campus.

Technical college

Earn a certificate or Associate of Applied Science at a public technical college, then work or stack into a bachelor's only if the program is built for it.

Apprenticeship

Get hired into a registered program, earn wages while you train, and complete related classroom instruction. For some Texas trades this is the cheapest on-ramp because you are paid.

Online / hybrid

Some Texas public colleges already teach core, RN-to-BSN, and business courses online or as hybrid labs. We only list formats the schools themselves publish — not a made-up 'online university' brand.

Starter careers

All careers

electrician, electrical helper, journeyman, lineworker, TDLR apprentice

Electrical / electrician

TDLR Electrical Apprentice first ($20, no experience or exam), then a registered apprenticeship if a sponsor hires you. Classroom at Dallas College or a labeled TCC line-technician program is optional and does not replace the 8,000 hours. A four-year public bachelor's is not the TDLR electrician path.

RN, ADN, BSN, registered nurse

Nursing / RN

A public ADN at an in-district community college is usually the lower published-tuition way to become eligible for the BON exam path. A Texas Direct Nursing FOS + 2+2 or an RN-to-BSN can add the bachelor's later if a BSN program admits you. A four-year BSN from the freshman year costs more published university tuition.

accountant, CPA, bookkeeper, business administration

Accounting / CPA track

Community-college Core + completed Business Administration Field of Study, then a public university accounting bachelor's. Freshman year at a university is the higher published-tuition version of the same bachelor's.

computer science, IT, programming, cybersecurity, information systems

Computer science / IT

For help-desk, networking, or cybersecurity technician roles: a public community-college or TSTC certificate/AAS. For a CS bachelor's: starting lower-division coursework at a public two-year college can still cut university sticker years if the receiving CS department applies the courses. Because the revised Computer Science FOS is unfinished, treat that as course-by-course advising — not Texas Direct Transfer Degree or “block applied to the major” language.

biology bachelor's, pre-med, pre-PA, biomedical, Texas Direct biology, pending Field of Study

Biology bachelor's vs MD / PA / RN

Community-college Core plus biology coursework can still cut two years of university sticker tuition if the receiving department applies the hours. Because Biology FOS is pending Directed Electives, do not call that a Texas Direct Transfer Degree or a block applied to the major. Freshman year at a public university is the higher published-tuition version of the same bachelor's. None of those maps is an MD, PA, or RN door.

English bachelor's, English major, English teacher, writer, Texas Direct English, pending Field of Study

English bachelor's vs teacher certificate

Community-college Core plus English coursework can still cut two years of university sticker tuition if the receiving department applies the hours. Because English FOS is pending Directed Electives, do not call that a Texas Direct Transfer Degree or a block applied to the major. Freshman year at a public university is the higher published-tuition version of the same bachelor's. Neither map is a TEA classroom certificate.

architecture bachelor's, architect, B.Arch, Texas Direct architecture, pending Field of Study, TBAE

Architecture bachelor's vs registered architect

Community-college Core plus architecture coursework can still cut two years of university sticker tuition if the receiving department applies the hours. Because Architecture’s revised Field of Study is pending Directed Electives, do not call that a Texas Direct Transfer Degree or a block applied to the major. ACC still lists an Architecture FOS that expires August 31, 2027; receiving schools may require additional lower-division courses. Freshman year at a public university is the higher published-tuition version of the same bachelor's. Neither map is a TBAE architect license.

HVAC, HVAC-R, air conditioning, refrigeration, ACR, TDLR registered technician, industrial maintenance, millwright

HVAC / industrial maintenance

TDLR Registered Technician first ($20, no experience or exam), then a registered apprenticeship if a sponsor hires you. Classroom at ACC HART or TCC HVAC is optional and does not issue a TDLR card. A four-year public bachelor's is not the ACR contractor path; a related degree credits months toward contractor experience only.

plumber, plumber's apprentice, tradesman plumber-limited, journeyman plumber, master plumber, TSBPE, pipefitter

Plumbing / plumber

TSBPE Plumber’s Apprentice first ($15, register before hours count), then a registered apprenticeship if a sponsor hires you. Classroom at Dallas College or HCC is optional and does not issue the TSBPE card. A four-year public bachelor's is not the plumber license path.

teacher, educator, EC-6, education degree

Teaching (Texas classroom certificate)

Community-college Core + completed Education Field of Study, then a public university educator preparation program. Freshman year at the university is the higher published-tuition version.

welder, manufacturing, fabrication, machining, AWS, SMAW, GMAW, GTAW

Welding / manufacturing tech

In-district community-college welding classroom is often the lowest published tuition. A registered apprenticeship is cheaper still if a sponsor hires you, because you are paid. TSTC Welding Technology is Tier 1 and can cost more per term. A four-year public bachelor's is not required for most shop jobs.

peace officer, police academy, TCOLE, BPOC, criminal justice bachelor's, probation officer

Peace officer license / criminal justice

For the LICENSE: a TCOLE academy / BPOC. ACC publishes BPOC tuition at $3,600 (equipment extra; no equipment dollar on that page). A four-year public bachelor's is not the license door. For a CRIMINAL-JUSTICE BACHELOR'S: Core + completed Criminal Justice Field of Study at a public two-year college, then a public university — see the existing 2+2 examples; we do not invent a new dollar total here.

psychology bachelor's, psychologist, LPA, school psychologist, LPC, LMFT, Texas Direct psychology

Psychology bachelor's / psychologist license

For the SAME public bachelor's: Texas Core + completed Psychology Field of Study at a public two-year college, then a public university. Freshman year at the university is the higher published-tuition version of that bachelor's. For a psychologist license: a doctoral degree and BHEC exams and hours — not the bachelor's on-ramp.

social work, BSW, LBSW, LMSW, LCSW, CSWE, Texas Direct social work

Social work BSW / LBSW / LMSW / LCSW

For the SAME public CSWE BSW: Texas Core + completed Social Work Field of Study at a public two-year college, then a public university. Freshman year at the university is the higher published-tuition version of that BSW. For LMSW or LCSW: a CSWE graduate degree and BHEC exams and hours — not the bachelor's on-ramp.

communications, communication studies, journalism, media, Texas Direct communications

Communications bachelor's / Field of Study

For the SAME public communications bachelor's: Texas Core + completed Communications Field of Study at a public two-year college, then a public university. Freshman year at the university is the higher published-tuition version of that bachelor's. There is no statewide occupational license on-ramp for communications, journalism, or media.

kinesiology, exercise science, physical therapist, DPT, athletic trainer, personal trainer, Texas Direct kinesiology

Kinesiology / exercise science bachelor's vs PT / athletic trainer

For the SAME public kinesiology or exercise-science bachelor's: Texas Core + completed Kinesiology/Exercise Science Field of Study at a public two-year college, then a public university. Freshman year at the university is the higher published-tuition version of that bachelor's. For a PT license: a CAPTE-accredited PT program, typically a DPT. For athletic trainer: Chapter 451 / TDLR — not the bachelor's on-ramp.

political science, government, lawyer, attorney, Texas Bar, J.D., Texas Direct political science

Political science bachelor's vs lawyer

For the SAME public political-science bachelor's: Texas Core + completed Political Science Field of Study at a public two-year college, then a public university. Freshman year at the university is the higher published-tuition version of that bachelor's. There is no statewide occupational license on-ramp for political science or government. The lawyer path is a separate product — not this bachelor's on-ramp.

history, historian, history teacher, social studies, Texas Direct history, History B.S., History B.A.

History bachelor's vs teacher certificate

For a History B.S.: Texas Core + completed History (B.S.) Field of Study at a public two-year college, then a public university that offers that B.S. Freshman year at a university is the higher published-tuition version of a bachelor's. History B.A. FOS is not a finished statewide block. There is no statewide historian license. The teacher certificate is a separate TEA product — not this bachelor's on-ramp.

sociology, sociologist, LMSW, LCSW, LBSW, psychologist, Texas Direct sociology

Sociology bachelor's vs social-work / psychologist licenses

For the SAME public sociology bachelor's: Texas Core + completed Sociology Field of Study at a public two-year college, then a public university. Freshman year at the university is the higher published-tuition version of that bachelor's. There is no statewide occupational license on-ramp named sociologist. Social-work and psychologist licenses are separate products — not this bachelor's on-ramp.

Texas Direct, in one sentence

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board says students who complete the Texas Core Curriculum and a Field of Study at any public two-year institution automatically qualify for the Texas Direct Transfer Degree, and that completed Field of Study courses transfer as a block applied to the selected major. We quote that. We do not turn it into a personal promise. Computer Science, Biology, English, Architecture, and Engineering were not completed blocks on the THECB table we fetched.

Texas Direct explainer Pending Fields of Study Sources we used