2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Texas
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M University Central Texas the best value for a degree in liberal arts in Texas. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $22,688 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $38,253. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Trinity Valley Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $29,246. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $20,366. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Lamar State College Orange, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,691. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $68,077. Set against $8,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $8,680 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $22,108 early in their careers. Set against $8,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,375. Liberal Arts graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $34,262 early in their careers. Set against $8,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,771. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,641. That is a strong return on a $9,771 median debt.
Coastal Bend College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,916, compared with $5,226 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the liberal arts program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,086 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,000. Liberal Arts 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.
Northwest Vista College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Northwest Vista College earn a median of $29,349 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palo Alto College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,430. Liberal Arts graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,843. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $30,690. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.
Central Texas College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,400. Liberal Arts graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $39,731 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,951. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,862. Set against $14,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $26,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts value this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,476 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $31,916. That is a strong return on a $8,476 median debt.
Vernon College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,720, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Vernon College generally make around $28,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paris Junior College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,163. Liberal Arts graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $24,251 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Panola College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Median earnings reach $36,072 ten years out.
Lamar Institute Of Technology earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts this year. Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $2,844, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,278. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology generally make around $50,068. That is a strong return on a $14,278 median debt.
Collin County Community College District placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,250. Liberal Arts graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $32,114 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,250 median debt.
Lone Star College System ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,689 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $27,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Angelina College placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,430, with out-of-state students paying around $6,490. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,828 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $27,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
Clarendon College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts this year. Clarendon College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarendon. In-state tuition and fees average $3,720, with out-of-state students paying around $5,400. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,062 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $21,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts 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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
