2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Texas

1

College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland tops our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools in Texas. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $16,902 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Brazosport College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $32,746. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

A rank of #4 makes El Centro College one of the best values for secondary education. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $25,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Alvin Community College
Alvin, TX

Alvin Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #5 spot this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. Set against $8,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Tarrant County College District
Fort Worth, TX

Tarrant County College District placed #6 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $24,507. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.

7

San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX

San Antonio College placed #7 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $10,375 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,375 median debt.

8

Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,627. Secondary Education graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District landed the #9 spot for secondary education value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,785 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $46,430 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,785 median debt.

10

The University Of Texas At Brownsville
Brownsville, TX

The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $10,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Collin County Community College District
McKinney, TX

Collin County Community College District earned the #11 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

San Jacinto Community College
Pasadena, TX

San Jacinto Community College landed the #12 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $19,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

North Central Texas College
Gainesville, TX

North Central Texas College came in at #13 for value in secondary education this year. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $16,352 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $43,536. That is a strong return on a $16,352 median debt.

14

Vernon College
Vernon, TX

Vernon College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Vernon College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Vernon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,720, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,513 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Vernon College generally make around $45,097. That is a strong return on a $12,513 median debt.

15

Panola College
Carthage, TX

Panola College landed the #15 spot for secondary education value this year. Panola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carthage. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,072.

16

Temple College
Temple, TX

Temple College landed the #16 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, compared with $7,524 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $16,617 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.

17

Howard College
Big Spring, TX

Howard College earned the #17 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $14,242. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $41,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Tyler Junior College
Tyler, TX

Tyler Junior College earned the #18 position for value in secondary education this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $43,348. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

19

Odessa College
Odessa, TX

Odessa College landed the #19 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University placed #20 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

21

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

22

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $55,826 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

23

Navarro College
Corsicana, TX

Navarro College came in at #23 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Corsicana, Navarro College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,008, while out-of-state students pay about $6,578. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $16,488 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $32,872. Set against $16,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #24 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $53,259. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.

25

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #25 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $53,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.