2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 214 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
El Centro College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in the Southwest Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $33,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,002. Set against $8,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brazosport College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $26,792. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Central Texas earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $38,253. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes College Of The Mainland one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $27,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,081 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,306. Set against $8,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $31,097. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $29,246 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Texas College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,691. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. Set against $8,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. 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 liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $20,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
Grayson College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $8,375 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $34,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,680. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $22,108. That is a strong return on a $8,680 median debt.
New Mexico Military Institute earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. New Mexico Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Roswell. Students from in state pay about $7,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,156. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $10,627. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. New Mexico Military Institute admits about 53% of applicants.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,200 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,944. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $30,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,680 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,626. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $41,354. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $38,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Midland College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,147. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,771 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $23,641. Set against $9,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Northwest Vista College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,110. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Students borrow a median of $6,402 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $17,969 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,402 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 214 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 138 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.
