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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Texas

6 Colleges in the United States
$23,268 Avg Student Debt
$56,215 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Education Badge [General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Texas

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Education Schools

1

Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for general education in Texas. 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, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

2

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Victoria earned it the #3 place for general education. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

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6

Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,531. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

7

Texas Womans University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,211. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $54,200. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

8

University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,100. General Education graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

9

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.

10

The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #10 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

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11
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University landed the #11 spot for general education value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,415. General Education graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

12

Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,796. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

13

Sul Ross State University came in at #13 for value in general education this year. Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpine. Students from in state pay about $7,592 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,672. General Education graduates carry a median of $18,951 in student loans. General Education graduates of Sul Ross State University earn a median of $55,540 early in their careers. Set against $18,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

14

University Of North Texas placed #14 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,817. Early-career general education graduates make about $56,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

15

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #15 for value in general education this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. General Education graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $56,784 early in their careers. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

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16

University Of Houston Downtown landed the #16 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,925. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,298. Set against $23,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

17

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

18

Texas Tech University came in at #18 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

19

Texas Wesleyan University earned the #19 position for value in general education this year. Texas Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,582. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,461 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas Wesleyan University generally make around $53,233. Set against $26,461 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Wesleyan University admits about 69% of applicants.

20

Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earned the #20 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,064. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Southwestern Assemblies Of God University earn a median of $47,921 early in their careers. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwestern Assemblies Of God University admits about 89% of applicants.

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21

Texas Southern University came in at #21 for value in general education this year. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,637 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. General Education graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $41,890 early in their careers. Set against $35,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

22

Texas A And M University College Station ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $64,891. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

23
Schreiner University crest
Schreiner University
Kerrville, TX

Schreiner University came in at #23 for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Kerrville, Schreiner University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,266. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,580. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Schreiner University generally make around $54,525. Set against $24,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Schreiner University admits about 88% of applicants.

24

University Of The Incarnate Word earned the #24 position for value in general education this year. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,028 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Incarnate Word admits about 98% of applicants.

25

West Texas A And M University placed #25 among the best values for general education. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,333. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,515. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Education Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for general education this year:

26
27
Southwestern University crest
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX
28

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 55 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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