ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southwest Region

124 Colleges in the United States
$16,626 Avg Student Debt
$44,188 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Badge [Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 / sciences & humanities schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 4
DEBUG: ROOT LEVEL MAJOR detected (no cip4), lowering min_relevance to 0.5
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.5, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "General Studies (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Liberal Arts & Humanities Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Liberal Arts & Humanities Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "AA in Liberal Arts" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "AA in Liberal Arts" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in General Studies" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in General Studies" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 2 offers with relevance >= 1.0

2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

1
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,060. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

A rank of #2 makes Pima Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Brazosport College crest
Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

A rank of #3 makes Brazosport College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Central Texas earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,688 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,253. The acceptance rate is 100%.

5
College Of The Mainland crest
College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

ADBLOCK #101
6

Alvin Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,081 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $35,306. That is a strong return on a $8,081 median debt.

7

Central New Mexico Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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.

8

Trinity Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,246. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Western Texas College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,691. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

South Texas College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 #115
11

Lamar State College Orange came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.

12
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $8,375 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $34,262. That is a strong return on a $8,375 median debt.

13
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $8,680 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $22,108 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

New Mexico Military Institute came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Roswell, New Mexico Military Institute is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,190, with out-of-state students paying around $14,156. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $10,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico Military Institute admits about 53% of applicants.

15

Wharton County Junior College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,200 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,148. That is a strong return on a $9,200 median debt.

ADBLOCK #145
16

Tarrant County College District ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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 liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,944. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,179. Set against $10,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Central Arizona College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,680 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $29,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Oklahoma City Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $34,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Laredo Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

20

Austin Community College District earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.

ADBLOCK #150
21
Midland College crest
Midland College
Midland, TX

Midland College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $24,147. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

El Paso Community College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $9,771 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $23,641. That is a strong return on a $9,771 median debt.

23
Northwest Vista College crest
Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, TX

Northwest Vista College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northwest Vista College generally make around $25,952. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Students borrow a median of $6,402 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $17,969. That is a strong return on a $6,402 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:

26
Coastal Bend College crest
Coastal Bend College
Beeville, TX
27
28
Palo Alto College crest
Palo Alto College
San Antonio, TX
29
30
31
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX
32
33
34
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX
42
Ranger College crest
Ranger College
Ranger, TX
43
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ
44
45
46
47
48
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX
49
50
Hill College crest
Hill College
Hillsboro, TX

Narrow Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools by State

ADBLOCK #173
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 214 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 124 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options