2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Texas
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.
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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Texas
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 Texas. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. 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. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for general education. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,694. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Victoria earned it the #4 place for general education. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At El Paso earned it the #5 place for general education. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,312. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #7 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,298. Set against $23,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University placed #8 among the best values for general education. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,638. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #9 spot for general education value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Texas Womans University placed #10 among the best values for general education. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,211. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #11 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $13,250. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $56,784 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #14 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,252. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Sul Ross State University landed the #15 spot for general education value this year. Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,592, while out-of-state students pay about $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 North Texas ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $56,083. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Texas Tech University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,271. 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. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #18 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #19 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas Southern University earned the #20 position for value in general education this year. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,637 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $35,330. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $41,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Texas A And M University earned the #21 position for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. General Education graduates carry a median of $22,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. Set against $22,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #22 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $64,891. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Huston Tillotson University earned the #23 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Austin, Huston Tillotson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,709. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $47,874. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,937 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Tarleton State University came in at #24 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $50,532. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Schreiner University earned the #25 position for value in general education this year. Schreiner University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Kerrville. In-state tuition and fees average $39,266. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,580. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Schreiner University generally make around $54,525. That is a strong return on a $24,580 median debt. Schreiner University admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general education value ranking:
More General Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
