2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Texas
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for liberal arts in Texas. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $22,688 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $38,253 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Lamar State College Orange, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Del Mar College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,680. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,108. That is a strong return on a $8,680 median debt.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #4 spot this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $20,366. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Trinity Valley Community College, which ranked #5. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Western Texas College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Students borrow a median of $8,691 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $68,077. Set against $8,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
St Philips College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $14,951 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $26,862 early in their careers. Set against $14,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College came in at #9 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,375. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,262. Set against $8,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Northwest Vista College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northwest Vista College generally make around $25,952. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Lee College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Mclennan Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $30,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $26,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Students borrow a median of $9,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $32,114. That is a strong return on a $9,250 median debt.
Palo Alto College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
Central Texas College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,400 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $39,731. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Angelina College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,430, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,828. Liberal Arts graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $27,031 early in their careers. Set against $7,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,689. Liberal Arts graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $27,180 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cisco College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Cisco College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cisco. In-state tuition and fees average $4,710, compared with $7,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,875. Liberal Arts graduates of Cisco College earn a median of $17,820 early in their careers. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clarendon College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Clarendon, Clarendon College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,062 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Clarendon College generally make around $21,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #21 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $28,933. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $39,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Sul Ross State University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,592 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,672 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $18,951. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $44,296. Set against $18,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $42,197. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $21,000. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $35,565. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Texas State Technical College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Students borrow a median of $12,953 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $40,747 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
