2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 45 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in the Southwest Region. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,160. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Grants came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Grants, New Mexico State University Grants is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. General Education graduates carry a median of $9,048 in student loans. General Education graduates of New Mexico State University Grants earn a median of $34,802 early in their careers. Set against $9,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus one of the best values for general education. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus one of the best values for general education. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $19,277. General Education graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $58,249 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,081. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Juan College earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. General Education graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana landed the #9 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $39,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,860. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #11 among the best values for general education. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,955. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #13 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $46,298. Set against $23,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Midwestern State University came in at #14 for value in general education this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,415. General Education graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $13,250. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $56,784. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #16 among the best values for general education. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Texas Womans University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,211. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $54,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #19 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,510. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Arizona State University earned the #20 position for value in general education this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $93,670. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Sul Ross State University landed the #21 spot for general education value this year. Set in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,592, with out-of-state students paying around $17,672. General Education graduates carry a median of $18,951 in student loans. General Education graduates of Sul Ross State University earn a median of $55,540 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sul Ross State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,100. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $51,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Texas earned the #23 position for value in general education this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $56,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #24 among the best values for general education. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Texas Tech University landed the #25 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value General Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general education:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
