2026 Best Value Health Professions Schools in Texas

[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 224 schools to find the best return on investment for health professions students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Health Professions Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health Professions Schools
Texas A And M International University earned the #1 spot for value among health professions schools in Texas. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $95,761 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Brazosport College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,330 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $68,542. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes South Texas College one of the best values for health professions. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $8,059 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $57,701. Set against $8,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alvin Community College earned it the #5 place for health professions. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $11,524. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $67,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #6 position for value in health professions this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $69,701. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
College Of The Mainland ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $68,525. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #8 among the best values for health professions. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $71,893. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt.
Del Mar College came in at #9 for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $8,494. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $63,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College landed the #10 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Students borrow a median of $13,298 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $78,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District placed #11 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,423 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $66,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,423 median debt.
Austin Community College District landed the #12 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,691 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $70,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $12,704 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $65,362. That is a strong return on a $12,704 median debt.
Victoria College placed #14 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $14,830 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Victoria College generally make around $64,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College earned the #15 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,111 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $51,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College came in at #16 for value in health professions this year. 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, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,338 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $67,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange landed the #17 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $26,190 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $67,044. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinity Valley Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,439 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $58,351 early in their careers. Set against $16,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College placed #19 among the best values for health professions. Northwest Vista College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $9,189 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $29,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #20 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $13,215 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $96,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Amarillo College came in at #21 for value in health professions this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,981 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $58,813. Set against $16,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College earned the #22 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $14,113. Health Professions graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $69,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,113 median debt.
Palo Alto College came in at #23 for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a 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 $9,430 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $29,062. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
Midland College landed the #24 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $12,500. Early-career health professions graduates make about $62,761. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College landed the #25 spot for health professions value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,571 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $60,137. Set against $17,571 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health Professions Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health professions value ranking:
More Health Professions Rankings
View All Health Professions Rankings >
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 · 224 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 105 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.