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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 is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 101 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general education students pursuing a degree.

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. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. About 308 general education degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $64,891. Typical student debt for the program is $20,031. Read more about the general education program at 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%. About 24 general education degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,275. More information about a degree in general education from The University Of Texas At Austin

3

Southern Methodist University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Southern Methodist University awarded about 14 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $70,632 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712. Read more about the general education program at Southern Methodist University

4

A rank of #4 makes Texas Tech University one of the top schools for general education. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 278 general education students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,271. 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. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 127 general education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $56,784 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details 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. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Wichita Falls. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 29 general education students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $49,638 in their early career. Midwestern State University graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Midwestern State University

7

Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #7 for general education this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 general education students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $50,993 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from Oklahoma State University Main Campus

8

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #8 among the best general education schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 34 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Clear Lake in the most recent year. General Education graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,100. More information about a degree in general education from University Of Houston Clear Lake

9

Arizona State University came in at #9 for general education this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Arizona State University awarded about 22 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $93,670. 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 earned the #10 position for general education this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 260 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. 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 ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Georgetown, Southwestern University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southwestern University awarded about 10 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Southwestern University earn around $50,984 in the first couple years of their career. 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 landed the #12 spot for 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 six-year graduation rate is 40%. About 86 general education degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from 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. University Of Houston Victoria graduates 26% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston Victoria in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. University Of Houston Victoria graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. See the full general education program report for University Of Houston Victoria

14

Texas Womans University came in at #14 for general education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Denton. 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. Students who receive their general education degree from Texas Womans University earn around $54,200 in the first couple years of their career. 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 landed the #15 spot for general education this year. Set in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Oklahoma Christian University graduates 56% of students within six years. About 38 general education degrees were awarded at Oklahoma Christian University in the most recent 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. See the full general education program report for Oklahoma Christian University

16

Arizona State University Skysong placed #16 among the best general education schools. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Arizona State University Skysong awarded about 84 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $93,670. Typical student debt for the program is $23,742. More information about a degree in general education from Arizona State University Skysong

17

Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #17 position for general education this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. 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. Graduates of the general education program make about $54,201 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from Texas A And M University Commerce

18

West Texas A And M University came in at #18 for general education this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. West Texas A And M University awarded about 46 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. West Texas A And M University graduates carry a median of $22,333 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at West Texas A And M University

19

Oklahoma Baptist University earned the #19 position for general education this year. Set in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. Oklahoma Baptist University awarded about 16 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University earn a median of $47,100 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,425. Get the full general education details for Oklahoma Baptist University

20

University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #20 position for general education this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. University Of North Texas At Dallas awarded about 22 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Get the full general education details for University Of North Texas At Dallas

21

University Of Houston Downtown earned the #21 position for general education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 33%. About 193 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Downtown in the most recent 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. More information about a degree in general education from University Of Houston Downtown

22

University Of North Texas earned the #22 position 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. University Of North Texas awarded about 328 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $56,083 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for University Of North Texas

23

The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 12 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. See the full general education program report for The University Of Texas Pan American

24

Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #24 spot for general education this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. 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. Texas A And M University Central Texas graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. See the full general education program report for Texas A And M University Central Texas

25

The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #25 position for general education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of El Paso. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At El Paso awarded about 328 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from The University Of Texas At El Paso earn around $48,335 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from The University Of Texas At El Paso

Rest of the Top 44 General Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong general education education:

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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