2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Texas
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 121 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
El Centro College tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools in Texas. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $33,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,688 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $38,253 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Brazosport College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. 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. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,792. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Alvin Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
College Of The Mainland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $27,368 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,246. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Western Texas College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Western Texas College earn a median of $68,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
South Texas College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $20,366. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,375 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $34,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $8,680 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. 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.
Wharton County Junior College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,200 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $27,148 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District came in at #13 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,944. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $30,179 early in their careers. Set against $10,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,748. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. 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 earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $38,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,771. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $23,641. That is a strong return on a $9,771 median debt.
Northwest Vista College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northwest Vista College earn a median of $25,952 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Bend College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,609 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Port Arthur earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,770, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $78,580. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Central Texas College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $8,400 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $39,731 early in their careers. Set against $8,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $30,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palo Alto College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,430 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,062. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
San Antonio College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. 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 general studies graduates is $10,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $26,334 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,951. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $26,862 early in their careers. Set against $14,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 121 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 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.
