2027 Best Value English Schools in the Southwest Region

[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong english education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 54 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english students.
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2027 Best Value English Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Schools
Texas A And M International University earned the #1 spot for value among english schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,727 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $25,077. Set against $15,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for english. 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. Typical student debt for english graduates is $17,625. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $24,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $6,868. Early-career english graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #4 spot this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. English graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $19,223. English graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Community College placed #6 among the best values for english. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for english graduates is $15,789. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
Austin Community College District landed the #7 spot for english value 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. Students borrow a median of $9,596 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma came in at #8 for value in english this year. Located in the town of Chickasha, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,190 for out-of-state students. Early-career english graduates make about $30,136. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma admits about 66% of applicants.
Lamar University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. English graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
East Central University earned the #10 position for value in english this year. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. English graduates carry a median of $21,840 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $40,559. Set against $21,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #11 among the best values for english. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for english graduates is $22,500. English graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $29,550 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #12 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,395 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $19,493. That is a strong return on a $32,395 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $18,800 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $41,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #14 for value in english this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $39,152 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #15 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,267. English graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $31,004 early in their careers. Set against $25,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Cisco College earned the #16 position for value in english this year. Cisco College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cisco. Students from in state pay about $4,710 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,140 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. English graduates of Cisco College earn a median of $17,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #17 among the best values for english. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $28,000. English graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $33,146 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
Rice University placed #18 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #19 position for value in english 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. English graduates carry a median of $13,407 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $43,470. Set against $13,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System earned the #20 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. English graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. English graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #21 spot for english value this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. English graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. English graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $19,125 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midwestern State University placed #22 among the best values for english. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $18,781 early in their careers. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #23 position for value in english 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, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Early-career english 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 Womans University placed #24 among the best values for english. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for english graduates is $28,395. Early-career english graduates make about $38,171. Set against $28,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #25 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for english graduates is $23,613. Early-career english graduates make about $40,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value English Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for english this year:
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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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.