2026 Best Value English Schools in Texas
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 97 schools to find the best return on investment for english students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value English Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Schools
For return on investment in english, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the english program here. 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 came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for english graduates is $15,727. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $25,077. That is a strong return on a $15,727 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #3 place for english. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $9,596 in student loans. English graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $9,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for english. 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, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the english program here. English graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $24,187 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $19,223. English graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College earned the #7 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $19,125. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #8 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. English graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. English graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Panola College came in at #9 for value in english this year. Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,072 ten years after entry.
Paris Junior College placed #10 among the best values for english. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. English graduates carry a median of $32,395 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $19,493. That is a strong return on a $32,395 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #12 spot for english value this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $15,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lone Star College System earned the #13 position for value in english this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rice University earned the #14 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. English graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #15 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. English graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $29,550. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University earned the #16 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for english graduates is $28,395. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $38,171. That is a strong return on a $28,395 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #17 spot for english value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for english graduates is $13,407. English graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $43,470 early in their careers. Set against $13,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Lamar University placed #18 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #19 among the best values for english. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $25,267 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $31,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $20,375 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $31,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #21 for value in english this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $39,152 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #22 spot for english value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,358 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $32,892. That is a strong return on a $21,358 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University placed #23 among the best values for english. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $33,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #24 for value in english this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Typical student debt for english graduates is $20,375. Early-career english graduates make about $35,502. That is a strong return on a $20,375 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. English graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $45,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value English Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for english this year:
View All English Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 97 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
