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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best General Education Schools in the Southwest Region

16 Colleges in the United States
3,371 General Education Degrees Awarded
$52,113 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general education programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 101 schools to find the best for general education students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Education in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general education education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in General Education

1

Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in general education. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 308 general education degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $64,891 in the first couple years of their career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Texas A And M University College Station

2

A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the top schools for general education. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 24 general education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

3

Southern Methodist University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 general education students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $70,632. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Southern Methodist University

4

Texas Tech University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #4. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 278 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Texas Tech University

5

The University Of Texas At Arlington is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #5. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 127 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $56,784 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. See the full general education program report for The University Of Texas At Arlington

6
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University earned the #6 position for general education this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. About 43% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 general education students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern State University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,415. Read more about the general education program at Midwestern State University

7

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #7 for general education this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Oklahoma State University Main Campus awarded about 27 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $50,993 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,337. More information about a degree in general education from Oklahoma State University Main Campus

8

University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #8 spot for general education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 34 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Clear Lake in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Houston Clear Lake earn around $51,252 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,100. Read more about the general education program at University Of Houston Clear Lake

9

Arizona State University came in at #9 for general education this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 general education degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $93,670 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,842. More information about a degree in general education from Arizona State University

10

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 260 general education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $49,955 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,312. See the full general education program report for The University Of Texas At San Antonio

11
Southwestern University crest
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University earned the #11 position for general education this year. Located in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit university. Southwestern University graduates 73% of students within six years. About 10 general education degrees were awarded at Southwestern University in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Southwestern University earn a median of $50,984 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from Southwestern University

12

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #12 for general education this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. About 40% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin awarded about 86 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Get the full general education details for The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

13

University Of Houston Victoria ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. About 26% of students finish within six years. University Of Houston Victoria awarded about 46 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Houston Victoria earn around $47,345 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,081. Read more about the general education program at University Of Houston Victoria

14

Texas Womans University landed the #14 spot for general education this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 154 general education degrees were awarded at Texas Womans University in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,200 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at Texas Womans University

15

Oklahoma Christian University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 38 general education students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma Christian University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Oklahoma Christian University earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,721 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at Oklahoma Christian University

16

Arizona State University Skysong placed #16 among the best general education schools. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. There were roughly 84 general education students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Arizona State University Skysong earn around $93,670 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,742 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Arizona State University Skysong

17

Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #17 spot for general education this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 117 general education degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Texas A And M University Commerce graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Texas A And M University Commerce

18

West Texas A And M University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. West Texas A And M University graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 general education students who graduated with this degree at West Texas A And M University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from West Texas A And M University

19

Oklahoma Baptist University placed #19 among the best general education schools. Set in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 16 general education degrees were awarded at Oklahoma Baptist University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $47,100 in their early career. Oklahoma Baptist University graduates carry a median of $23,425 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Oklahoma Baptist University

20

University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 22 general education degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. Read more about the general education program at University Of North Texas At Dallas

21

University Of Houston Downtown ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Houston. University Of Houston Downtown graduates 33% of students within six years. University Of Houston Downtown awarded about 193 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Houston Downtown earn around $46,298 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for University Of Houston Downtown

22

University Of North Texas came in at #22 for general education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 328 general education degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $56,083. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for University Of North Texas

23

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #23 for general education this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 12 general education degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Pan American in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from The University Of Texas Pan American earn around $46,404 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for The University Of Texas Pan American

24

Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. About 33 general education degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Central Texas in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $50,370 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,160. Read more about the general education program at Texas A And M University Central Texas

25

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 328 general education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $48,335 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for The University Of Texas At El Paso

Rest of the Top 44 General Education Schools

These schools also placed among the best for general education this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM
33
34
Prescott College crest
Prescott College
Prescott, AZ
35
36
37
38
39
Schreiner University crest
Schreiner University
Kerrville, TX
40
41
42
43
44

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 101 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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