2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 91 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $22,688 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $38,253 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
A rank of #2 makes Pima Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. 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. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $31,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,680. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,108. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Lamar State College Orange one of the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $18,506. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Trinity Valley Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $29,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,500. Liberal Arts graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $20,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Western Texas College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $6,150 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
El Paso Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,771. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $23,641. Set against $9,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico Military Institute ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Roswell, New Mexico Military Institute is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,156. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from New Mexico Military Institute generally make around $10,627. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Ruidoso, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,268 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
St Philips College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,951. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $26,862. Set against $14,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,625. Liberal Arts graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $31,097 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $34,626. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Central Arizona College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,680. Liberal Arts graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $29,819 early in their careers. Set against $10,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Northwest Vista College earn a median of $25,952 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $8,375 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $34,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $16,706 in student loans. Liberal Arts 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. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Mclennan Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Students borrow a median of $12,843 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts value this year. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,592, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $18,362. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,476. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palo Alto College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a very large public university. 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 $9,430 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Palo Alto College generally make around $29,062. Set against $9,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Redlands Community College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,385, with out-of-state students paying around $7,951. Students borrow a median of $8,739 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Redlands Community College generally make around $28,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $6,402 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $17,969. That is a strong return on a $6,402 median debt.
Collin County Community College District earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Students borrow a median of $9,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $32,114 early in their careers. Set against $9,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts:
Narrow Liberal Arts Schools by State
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 91 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 91 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.
