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2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

39 Ranked Colleges
20,459 Degrees Awarded
$6,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 365,980 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.

Across the Southwest region, there were 28,078 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 20,459 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,605 and $16,886 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 39 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

#1

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Texas College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in McAllen, Texas, this large public school awarded 333 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid list, South Texas College has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Texas College is $1,174 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at South Texas College

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Collin County Community College District. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Collin County Community College District is a large public school situated in McKinney, Texas. It awarded 1,640 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Collin County Community College District, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $6,293 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Collin County Community College District.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Collin County Community College District

#3

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pima Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 866 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pima County Community College District, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pima Community College is $3,583 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Full Pima County Community College District Liberal Arts Report

#4

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Antonio College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid. San Antonio College is a fairly large school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 216 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

San Antonio College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $5,882 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend San Antonio College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at San Antonio College

#5

Northwest Vista College

San Antonio, Texas
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwest Vista College landed the #5 spot on the list. Northwest Vista College is a fairly large school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 279 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid list, Northwest Vista College has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Vista College is $5,413 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Full Northwest Vista College Liberal Arts Report

#6

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#11 in overall quality

Central New Mexico Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school awarded 777 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

CNM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central New Mexico Community College is $3,429 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at CNM

#7

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
#2 in overall quality

Lone Star College System ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in The Woodlands, Texas, and it awarded 5,833 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid list, North Harris Montgomery has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Harris Montgomery is $8,016 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Lone Star College System

#8

Central Texas College

Killeen, Texas
#6 in overall quality

Central Texas College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Central Texas College is a fairly large public school situated in Killeen, Texas. It awarded 299 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Texas College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $5,112 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Central Texas College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Central Texas College

#9

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
#10 in overall quality

Oklahoma City Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this fairly large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

OCCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for OCCC is $6,842 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at OCCC

#8 in overall quality

McLennan Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. McLennan Community College is located in Waco, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 731 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

MCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $6,752 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at MCC

#11

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas
#19 in overall quality

El Paso Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 1,354 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at El Paso Community College, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $4,594 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid per year to attend El Paso Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at El Paso Community College

#12

Palo Alto College

San Antonio, Texas
#16 in overall quality

Palo Alto College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 166 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Palo Alto College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Palo Alto College is $4,986 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Full Palo Alto College Liberal Arts Report

#13

Central Arizona College

Coolidge, Arizona
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Central Arizona College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Coolidge, Arizona, and it awarded 266 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pinal County Community College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pinal County Community College is $6,260 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Central Arizona College

#14

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona
#5 in overall quality

Mesa Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Mesa, Arizona, this fairly large public school handed out 982 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Mesa Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mesa Community College is $9,669 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Full Mesa Community College Liberal Arts Report

#14 in overall quality

Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Avondale, Arizona is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 555 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid list, Estrella Mountain Community College has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Estrella Mountain Community College is $9,200 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Estrella Mountain Community College

#16

St Philip's College

San Antonio, Texas
#20 in overall quality

St Philip’s College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 14 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

St Philip’s College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $6,250 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid per year to attend St Philip’s College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at St Philip’s College

#17

Phoenix College

Phoenix, Arizona
#12 in overall quality

Phoenix College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Phoenix College is a medium-sized public school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 433 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Phoenix College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $8,744 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Phoenix College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Phoenix College

#18

Glendale Community College

Glendale, Arizona
#13 in overall quality

Glendale Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Glendale, Arizona is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 1,077 students in 2019-2020.

Glendale Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $8,597 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Glendale Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Glendale Community College

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Trinity Valley Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Athens, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 608 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TVCC, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for TVCC is $6,850 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at TVCC

#20

Lee College

Baytown, Texas
#25 in overall quality

Lee College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Baytown, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 214 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lee College, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $7,732 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Lee College.

Full Lee College Liberal Arts Report

#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Chandler-Gilbert Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Chandler, Arizona, and it awarded 635 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid list, Chandler-Gilbert Community College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $9,926 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Chandler-Gilbert Community College

#22

Clovis Community College

Clovis, New Mexico

Clovis Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Clovis, New Mexico, this small public school handed out 91 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Clovis Community College is $4,577 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Clovis Community College

#23

Grayson College

Denison, Texas

With a ranking of #23, Grayson College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Denison, Texas, and it awarded 208 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Grayson College is $7,877 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Grayson College

#24

San Juan College

Farmington, New Mexico

San Juan College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. SJC is a public institution located in Farmington, New Mexico. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 101 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for SJC is $6,115 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full San Juan College Liberal Arts Report

With a ranking of #25, Cochise County Community College District did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Cochise College is located in Sierra Vista, Arizona and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Cochise County Community College District is $6,228 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Cochise County Community College District

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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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