by Matthew Watkins

COMMERCE — In 2011, when Gov. Rick Perry urged Texas universities to find a way to offer degrees for less than $10,000, many in the higher education world scoffed. Texas A&M University-Commerce leapt into action.

Within two years, the East Texas school had developed a program that allowed students to earn an online bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership at far less than the $40,000 it can take to spend four years at the university. The program has since earned praise from state leaders, who have tried to encourage other schools to replicate the success.