2026 Best Value General English Literature Schools in the Southwest Region
[General English Literature](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general english literature education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 138 schools to find the best return on investment for general english literature students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General English Literature Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general english literature degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General English Literature Schools
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for general english literature in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $23,160. General English Literature graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,727 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature 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. 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 general english literature schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $9,596 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $44,895. Set against $9,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $17,625. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $24,187. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
South Texas College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. 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. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #6 for value in general english literature this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College placed #7 among the best values for general english literature. 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, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $15,789. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #8 position for value in general english literature this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $51,797 early in their careers. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Houston Community College placed #9 among the best values for general english literature. 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, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the general english literature program here. General English Literature 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 came in at #10 for value in general english literature this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the general english literature program here. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $19,125. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in general english literature this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $18,800. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $41,860. Set against $18,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Panola College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,072 ten years after entry.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #13 among the best values for general english literature. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Paris Junior College landed the #14 spot for general english literature value this year. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $21,840. General English Literature graduates of East Central University earn a median of $40,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,840 median debt. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #16 position for value in general english literature this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Set against $15,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #17 among the best values for general english literature. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $32,395 in student loans. General English Literature graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $19,493 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System came in at #18 for value in general english literature this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $10,425. General English Literature 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 ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $22,500. General English Literature graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $29,550 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Rice University came in at #20 for value in general english literature this year. 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 general english literature program here. General English Literature 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 general english literature value this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $28,395 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $38,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #22 among the best values for general english literature. 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, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,407 to complete the general english literature program here. Soon after graduation, general english literature degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $43,470. Set against $13,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general english literature schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $25,267. Early-career general english literature graduates make about $31,004. Set against $25,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Lamar University earned the #24 position for value in general english literature this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for general english literature graduates is $26,988. General English Literature graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #25 for value in general english literature this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. General English Literature graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general english literature 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 General English Literature Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general english literature:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
