2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 134 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in general studies in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $33,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at College Of The Mainland, which ranked #2. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,368. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tarrant County College District earned it the #3 place for general studies. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,944. General Studies graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $30,179 early in their careers. Set against $10,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $31,002 early in their careers. Set against $8,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lamar State College Port Arthur earned it the #5 place for general studies. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. In-state tuition and fees average $1,770, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $33,385. General Studies graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Midland College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,147. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange landed the #7 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $18,506. Early-career general studies graduates make about $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College placed #8 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $20,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,771 in student loans. General Studies graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $23,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,771 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,200. General Studies graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $27,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,200 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #11 spot for general studies value this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $22,111 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $14,951. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,862. That is a strong return on a $14,951 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Ruidoso, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,372, compared with $3,268 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus generally make around $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $31,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Arizona College placed #15 among the best values for general studies. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,680 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College came in at #16 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $26,334 early in their careers. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #17 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $34,626. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Northwest Vista College came in at #18 for value in general studies this year. Northwest Vista College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northwest Vista College generally make around $25,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned the #19 position for value in general studies this year. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,110. General Studies graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College landed the #20 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $26,792. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Amarillo College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $13,830. General Studies graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $31,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $16,706. General Studies graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $32,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Mclennan Community College placed #23 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,843. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $30,690. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Oklahoma College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, compared with $11,848 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $40,565. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Bend College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,916, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $14,609. Median earnings reach $35,086 ten years out. Set against $14,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general studies:
Narrow General Studies Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 134 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 134 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.
