2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,160. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.

2

San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

New Mexico State University Dona Ana
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Dona Ana came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,284 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus
Roswell, NM

A rank of #4 makes Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus one of the best values for general education. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. General Education graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,694. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

6

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $19,277. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $58,249. Set against $19,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus
Gallup, NM

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus came in at #7 for value in general education this year. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. Students from in state pay about $2,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus generally make around $35,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

University Of Houston Victoria
Victoria, TX

University Of Houston Victoria earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

9

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for general education. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $19,026. General Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,026 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

10

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #10 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

11

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.

12

Mohave Community College
Kingman, AZ

Mohave Community College earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,766 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #13 among the best values for general education. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.

14

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #14 position for value in general education this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,100. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $51,252. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

15

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University placed #15 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,200. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

16

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #16 position for value in general education this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.

17

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,955. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

18

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University earned the #18 position for value in general education this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,415. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,638. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

19

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce placed #19 among the best values for general education. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

20

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University landed the #20 spot for general education value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,842. General Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $93,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

21

Sul Ross State University
Alpine, TX

Sul Ross State University placed #21 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,592, while out-of-state students pay about $17,672. Students borrow a median of $18,951 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,540. That is a strong return on a $18,951 median debt. Sul Ross State University admits about 99% of applicants.

22

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #22 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $56,784. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas placed #23 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $56,083. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

24

University Of Houston Downtown
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Downtown earned the #24 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $46,298. Set against $23,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.

25

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.