2026 Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-ops-support-assistant-services/administrative-assistant-and-secretarial-science-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 86 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general administrative assistant and secretarial science students.
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2026 Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general administrative assistant and secretarial science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools
For return on investment in general administrative assistant and secretarial science, no school beat Brazosport College this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $16,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general administrative assistant and secretarial science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Palo Alto College earned it the #4 place for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Palo Alto College generally make around $29,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $10,916. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $40,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned the #7 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.
Austin Community College District came in at #8 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $14,519. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College came in at #9 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $9,000. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Amarillo College came in at #11 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technology Center earned the #12 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the rural area of Burns Flat, Western Technology Center is a small public institution. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Western Technology Center earn a median of $40,264 early in their careers.
Lee College earned the #13 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $10,941. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College placed #14 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
Panola College landed the #15 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Panola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carthage. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Median earnings reach $36,072 ten years out.
Texarkana College placed #16 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texarkana College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,476, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,686 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $33,707. That is a strong return on a $11,686 median debt.
Angelina College earned the #17 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,430, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $7,828 in student loans. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee came in at #18 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Located in the town of Muskogee, Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $9,500. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $28,526. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $10,425. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Odessa College placed #20 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the general administrative assistant and secretarial science program here. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
Northeast Technology Center System Office placed #21 among the best values for general administrative assistant and secretarial science. Northeast Technology Center System Office is a small public school located in the town of Pryor. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $35,262.
Eastern Arizona College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general administrative assistant and secretarial science schools. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $9,552. General Administrative Assistant And Secretarial Science graduates carry a median of $6,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Eastern Arizona College generally make around $40,304. That is a strong return on a $6,781 median debt.
Canadian Valley Technology Center landed the #23 spot for general administrative assistant and secretarial science value this year. Set in the rural area of El Reno, Canadian Valley Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Early-career general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates make about $46,777.
Southern Careers Institute Pharr earned the #24 position for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the city of Pharr, Southern Careers Institute Pharr is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for general administrative assistant and secretarial science graduates is $6,861. Soon after graduation, general administrative assistant and secretarial science degree recipients from Southern Careers Institute Pharr generally make around $18,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arlington Career Institute came in at #25 for value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science this year. Set in the city of Arlington, Arlington Career Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,674 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value General Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general administrative assistant and secretarial science:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
