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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Texas

25 Colleges in the United States
15,572 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$35,724 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools to find the best for liberal arts students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts in Texas

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts

1

The University Of Texas At Austin tops our 2026 ranking of the best liberal arts schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. About 221 liberal arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $69,994 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,052 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Southern Methodist University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $57,967 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Southern Methodist University

3

Abilene Christian University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #3. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 66 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Abilene Christian University in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $56,463 in their early career. Abilene Christian University graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Abilene Christian University

4

University Of St Thomas Texas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of St Thomas Texas awarded about 10 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $50,420 early in their careers. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of St Thomas Texas

5

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at University Of Houston, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston awarded about 34 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $35,565 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for University Of Houston

6

Collin County Community College District earned the #6 position for liberal arts this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. About 1,707 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Collin County Community College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Collin County Community College District earn around $32,114 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,250. Read more about the liberal arts program at Collin County Community College District

7

Texas Christian University placed #7 among the best liberal arts schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. About 39 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Texas Christian University earn around $42,008 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Texas Christian University

8

Texas Tech University came in at #8 for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 14 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $40,600 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,713. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Texas Tech University

9

Stephen F Austin State University came in at #9 for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. Stephen F Austin State University awarded about 12 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Stephen F Austin State University earn around $42,197 in the first couple years of their career. Stephen F Austin State University graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Stephen F Austin State University

10
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of The Woodlands. About 6,485 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $27,180 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,689 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Lone Star College System

11

Central Texas College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. About 400 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Central Texas College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $39,731 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,400. Get the full liberal arts details for Central Texas College

12
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College placed #12 among the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Denison. Grayson College awarded about 1,025 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $34,262. Students borrow a median of $8,375 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Grayson College

13

Sam Houston State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Sam Houston State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $41,112. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750. Get the full liberal arts details for Sam Houston State University

14
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Baytown. About 381 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Lee College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $31,916 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,476. Get the full liberal arts details for Lee College

15

Mclennan Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Waco. About 601 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Mclennan Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $30,690 early in their careers. Mclennan Community College graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Mclennan Community College

16

Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #16 for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Killeen. There were roughly 69 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Central Texas in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $38,253 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,688. Read more about the liberal arts program at Texas A And M University Central Texas

17

Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Texas A And M University Commerce graduates 43% of students within six years. About 24 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $39,969 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,933. See the full liberal arts program report for Texas A And M University Commerce

18

Trinity Valley Community College placed #18 among the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Athens. There were roughly 715 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Trinity Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $29,246 in their early career. Trinity Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Trinity Valley Community College

19
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Del Mar College awarded about 117 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $22,108 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,680. See the full liberal arts program report for Del Mar College

20

Texas State Technical College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. About 26 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Texas State Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Texas State Technical College earn around $40,747 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,953. Read more about the liberal arts program at Texas State Technical College

21

Western Texas College placed #21 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 257 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Western Texas College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Western Texas College earn a median of $68,077 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,691 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts program report for Western Texas College

22
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX

San Antonio College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. San Antonio College awarded about 23 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from San Antonio College earn around $26,334 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at San Antonio College

23

Paris Junior College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 576 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Paris Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Paris Junior College earn around $24,251 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $6,163 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Paris Junior College

24
Panola College crest
Panola College
Carthage, TX

Panola College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Carthage. About 231 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Panola College in the most recent year. Get the full liberal arts details for Panola College

25
Angelina College crest
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX

Angelina College came in at #25 for liberal arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Lufkin. Angelina College awarded about 286 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $27,031 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,828 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Angelina College

Rest of the Top 35 Liberal Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong liberal arts education:

26
Vernon College crest
Vernon College
Vernon, TX
27
28
29
30
31
Cisco College crest
Cisco College
Cisco, TX
32
Navarro College crest
Navarro College
Corsicana, TX
33
34
Clarendon College crest
Clarendon College
Clarendon, TX
35

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 54 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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