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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in general studies in Texas. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $33,060. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brazosport College earned it the #2 place for general studies. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $26,792 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Alvin Community College one of the best values for general studies. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,081 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $35,306. That is a strong return on a $8,081 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes College Of The Mainland one of the best values for general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $27,368. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes South Texas College one of the best values for general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $20,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Lamar State College Orange placed #6 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $18,506. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College earned the #7 position for value in general studies this year. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $27,148. That is a strong return on a $9,200 median debt.
Laredo Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $41,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #9 among the best values for general studies. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,771. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,641. That is a strong return on a $9,771 median debt.
Tarrant County College District earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,944. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $30,179. Set against $10,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College placed #21 among the best values for general studies. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,830 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,173. That is a strong return on a $13,830 median debt.
Ranger College placed #22 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Ranger, Ranger College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $9,066. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Ranger College generally make around $24,037. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #23 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,111. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
North Central Texas College placed #24 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $5,739. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,546. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,615. That is a strong return on a $11,546 median debt.
Vernon College came in at #25 for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,720, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,648. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general studies:
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
