2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Texas
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for general education in Texas. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Texas At Dallas earned it the #3 place for general education. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Houston Victoria one of the best values for general education. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. 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. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. 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 landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Houston Downtown earned the #7 position for value in general education this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $46,298. That is a strong return on a $23,925 median debt. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
Midwestern State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,796. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Texas Womans University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
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, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $13,250. Early-career general education graduates make about $56,784. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #12 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $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. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Set against $25,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. 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. Set in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,592, compared with $17,672 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $18,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas landed the #16 spot for general education value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,817. Early-career general education graduates make about $56,083. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #17 spot for general education value this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,271. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 65%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #19 position for value in general education this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. 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. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Southern University earned the #20 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. 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. Set against $35,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Southern University admits about 97% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University came in at #21 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $22,333 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #22 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Huston Tillotson University landed the #23 spot for general education value 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. General Education graduates carry a median of $47,874 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,937 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $47,874 median debt. Huston Tillotson University admits about 39% of applicants.
Tarleton State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,222. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $50,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Schreiner University landed the #25 spot for general education value this year. Set in the town of Kerrville, Schreiner University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,266. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,580. Early-career general education graduates make about $54,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value General Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general education:
More General Education Rankings
View All General Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 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.
