by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/veterinary-animal-health-technology-technician-and-veterinary-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
El Centro College tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in Texas. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $15,044 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $37,896. Set against $15,044 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palo Alto College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Palo Alto College is a large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,430 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Palo Alto College generally make around $29,062. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Lone Star College System one of the best values for value. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $38,152. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Value graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $34,474. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Blinn College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Value graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Value graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Vet Tech Institute Of Houston ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Houston, Vet Tech Institute Of Houston is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,324. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,804. Value graduates of Vet Tech Institute Of Houston earn a median of $30,665 early in their careers. Set against $14,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Tarleton State University landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $50,532. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Pima Medical Institute Houston came in at #8 for value in value this year. Pima Medical Institute Houston is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students borrow a median of $14,689 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $30,864. Set against $14,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Medical Institution San Antonio ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Pima Medical Institution San Antonio is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Students borrow a median of $14,689 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $30,864. That is a strong return on a $14,689 median debt.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.