2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for general education in the Southwest Region. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

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. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,150. General Education graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

New Mexico State University Dona Ana
Las Cruces, NM

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at New Mexico State University Dona Ana, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,284. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.

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. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. 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. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for general education. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,694. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,404. 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 came in at #6 for value in general education this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $19,277 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $58,249. That is a strong return on a $19,277 median debt. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.

7

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus
Gallup, NM

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. In-state tuition and fees average $2,906, compared with $5,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earn a median of $35,132 early in their careers. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.

9

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,026 in student loans. General Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

10

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #10 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.

11

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #11 position 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, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,052. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.

12

Mohave Community College
Kingman, AZ

Mohave Community College landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,766. General Education graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. 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 came in at #13 for value in general education this year. 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, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

14

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #14 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,100. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,252. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

15

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the general education program here. 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. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.

16

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

17

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #17 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. 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. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

18

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University placed #18 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,638. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

19

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #19 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,796. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.

20

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #20 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $93,670. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

21

Sul Ross State University
Alpine, TX

Sul Ross State University placed #21 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public institution. 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. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,540. Set against $18,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sul Ross State University admits about 99% of applicants.

22

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #22 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $56,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

23

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas came in at #23 for value in general education this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,817. General Education graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $56,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

24

University Of Houston Downtown
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Downtown earned the #24 position for value in general education this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $46,298 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.