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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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.

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. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for general education. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Houston Victoria one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. 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.

4

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at University Of North Texas At Dallas, which ranked #4. 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.

5

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin, which ranked #5. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,052. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

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6

Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,531. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

7

Texas Womans University landed the #7 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,252. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

9

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $19,819. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

10

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #10 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. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

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Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University landed the #11 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.

12

Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #12 for value in general education this year. 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. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $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. Set in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Sul Ross State University generally make around $55,540. That is a strong return on a $18,951 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of North Texas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. 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, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

15

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. General Education graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $56,784. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

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University Of Houston Downtown placed #16 among the best values for general education. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,298. That is a strong return on a $23,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

17

The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,275. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

18

Texas Tech University placed #18 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,271. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

19

Texas Wesleyan University landed the #19 spot for general education value 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. Students borrow a median of $26,461 to complete the general education program here. 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. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

20

Southwestern Assemblies Of God University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,064 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University generally make around $47,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

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Texas Southern University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Students borrow a median of $35,330 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $41,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Southern University admits about 97% of applicants.

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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

23
Schreiner University crest
Schreiner University
Kerrville, TX

Schreiner University landed the #23 spot for general education value this year. Schreiner University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Kerrville. Students from in state pay about $39,266 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,580 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Schreiner University generally make around $54,525. That is a strong return on a $24,580 median debt. Schreiner University admits about 88% of applicants.

24

University Of The Incarnate Word came in at #24 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,028 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $57,743. Set against $28,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.

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

The ranking above is published 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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