2026 Best Value Value Schools in Texas
[Value](/majors/health-care-professions/bioethics-medical-ethics/nursing-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
The University Of Texas Pan American tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in Texas. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Womans University earned it the #2 place for value. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Value graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $101,837. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Lamar University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Value graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,959. Early-career value graduates make about $75,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,632. Early-career value graduates make about $97,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Tarleton State University earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Value graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. Value graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,532 early in their careers. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
