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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

85 Ranked Colleges
43,125 Degrees Awarded
$4,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

General Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 133,583 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across the Southwest region, there were 49,602 general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 43,125 general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,605 and $16,886 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 85 colleges that offer a degree in general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank General Studies Schools

The general studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

#1

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 85 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, El Centro College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Dallas, Texas, this large public school awarded 5,589 diplomas to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at El Centro College, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $3,454 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend El Centro College.

Full El Centro College General Studies Report

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Austin Community College District. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Austin, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 1,547 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Austin Community College District, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Austin Community College District is $3,134 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Austin Community College District

#3

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
#13 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend South Texas College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. South Texas College is a large public school situated in McAllen, Texas. It awarded 1,257 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

South Texas College also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Texas College is $904 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at South Texas College

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 85 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Tarrant County College District landed the #4 spot on the list. Tarrant County College is located in Fort Worth, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4,575 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Tarrant County College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Tarrant County College is $5,225 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Tarrant County College District General Studies Report

#5

Houston Community College

Houston, Texas
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 85 schools in the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Houston Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Houston Community College is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2,851 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Houston Community College also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $4,562 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Houston Community College.

Full Houston Community College General Studies Report

#6

Brazosport College

Lake Jackson, Texas
#10 in overall quality

Brazosport College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. BC is a small public school situated in Lake Jackson, Texas. It awarded 306 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, BC has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for BC is $3,087 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Brazosport College General Studies Report

#3 in overall quality

Collin County Community College District did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in McKinney, Texas, and it awarded 1,123 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Collin County Community College District has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Collin County Community College District is $4,565 for southwest region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Studies at Collin County Community College District

#8

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Central New Mexico Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. CNM is a large public school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 1,312 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

CNM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $2,604 for southwest region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CNM.

Read more about General Studies at CNM

#9

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
#15 in overall quality

Pima Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this fairly large public school handed out 156 diplomas to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

Pima County Community College District did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $2,574 for southwest region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Pima Community College.

Read full report on General Studies at Pima County Community College District

#10

Northwest Vista College

San Antonio, Texas
#7 in overall quality

Northwest Vista College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northwest Vista College is located in San Antonio, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2,339 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwest Vista College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $4,355 for southwest region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwest Vista College.

Full Northwest Vista College General Studies Report

#11

Central Texas College

Killeen, Texas
#11 in overall quality

Central Texas College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central Texas College is located in Killeen, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 494 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

Central Texas College also took the #11 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Texas College is $3,705 for southwest region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Central Texas College

#12

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas
#6 in overall quality

San Antonio College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 1,926 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

San Antonio College also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend San Antonio College is $5,183 for southwest region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full San Antonio College General Studies Report

Wharton County Junior College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wharton County Junior College is a medium-sized school located in Wharton, Texas that handed out 324 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Wharton County Junior College is $3,227 for southwest region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Wharton County Junior College General Studies Report

#14

College of the Mainland

Texas City, Texas

College of the Mainland came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. COM is a small school located in Texas City, Texas that handed out 269 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $2,069 for southwest region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend College of the Mainland.

Full COM General Studies Report

#15

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
#16 in overall quality

Oklahoma City Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oklahoma City Community College is a fairly large school located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that handed out 587 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OCCC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $5,889 for southwest region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend OCCC.

Full OCCC General Studies Report

#16

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas

With a ranking of #16, El Paso Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in El Paso, Texas, this large public school awarded 119 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,978 for southwest region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend El Paso Community College.

Full El Paso Community College General Studies Report

#17

North Central Texas College

Gainesville, Texas
#18 in overall quality

North Central Texas College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Gainesville, Texas, this medium-sized public school awarded 720 diplomas to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

NCTC also made our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $3,213 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Central Texas College.

Read full report on General Studies at North Central Texas College

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, McLennan Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. McLennan Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Waco, Texas. It awarded 108 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

MCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for MCC is $5,970 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at McLennan Community College

#19

Midland College

Midland, Texas
#12 in overall quality

Midland College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Midland, Texas, this small public school handed out 266 degrees to qualified associates’s general studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Midland College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best General Studies Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Midland College is $4,070 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Midland College General Studies Report

#20

Central Arizona College

Coolidge, Arizona

With a ranking of #20, Central Arizona College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pinal County Community College is a public institution located in Coolidge, Arizona. The school has a small population, and it awarded 35 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Pinal County Community College is $5,597 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Studies at Central Arizona College

#21

Kilgore College

Kilgore, Texas

Kilgore College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kilgore College is a medium-sized public school situated in Kilgore, Texas. It awarded 524 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Kilgore College is $6,668 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Kilgore College General Studies Report

#22

Odessa College

Odessa, Texas

Odessa College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Odessa College is located in Odessa, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 369 associates’s general studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Odessa College is $5,380 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Odessa College General Studies Report

#23

Temple College

Temple, Texas

With a ranking of #23, Temple College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Temple, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s general studies degrees to 183 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,672 for southwest region associate degree general studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Temple College.

Read full report on General Studies at Temple College

#24

Palo Alto College

San Antonio, Texas

With a ranking of #24, Palo Alto College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Palo Alto College is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,051 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Palo Alto College is $4,270 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Palo Alto College General Studies Report

#25

South Plains College

Levelland, Texas

South Plains College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value General Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. South Plains College is a medium-sized public school situated in Levelland, Texas. It awarded 439 associates’s general studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for South Plains College is $6,211 for Southwest Region Associate Degree General Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full South Plains College General Studies Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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