2026 Best Value English Schools in the Southwest Region
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong english education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 138 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value English Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among english schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $23,160. Soon after graduation, english 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.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. English graduates carry a median of $15,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $25,077. Set against $15,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Austin Community College District came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $9,596 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #4 place for english. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $24,187. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
South Texas College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. English graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #6 position for value in english this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. English graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. English graduates carry a median of $15,789 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $51,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Houston Community College came in at #9 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for english graduates is $8,250. English graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $19,125 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for english. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Typical student debt for english graduates is $18,800. Early-career english graduates make about $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Panola College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Panola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carthage. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,072.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #13 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. English graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Paris Junior College placed #14 among the best values for english. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $38,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central University placed #15 among the best values for english. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Students borrow a median of $21,840 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $40,559. That is a strong return on a $21,840 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #16 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. English graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $50,876. Set against $15,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #17 for value in english this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. English graduates carry a median of $32,395 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $19,493. Set against $32,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Lone Star College System placed #18 among the best values for english. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. English graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #19 for value in english this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the english program here. English graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $29,550 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rice University placed #20 among the best values for english. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for english graduates is $11,904. English graduates of Rice University earn a median of $75,299 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University landed the #21 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for english graduates is $28,395. Early-career english graduates make about $38,171. Set against $28,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $13,407 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $43,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #23 for value in english this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $25,267 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $31,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University earned the #24 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for english graduates is $26,988. English graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $47,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english:
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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 · 138 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
