2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 171 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $33,060. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
College Of The Mainland came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,368. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Texas A And M University Central Texas, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $38,253. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tarrant County College District earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,944 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $30,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $31,002. That is a strong return on a $8,939 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,770, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. Students borrow a median of $33,385 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Midland College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $24,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,680. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $22,108. Set against $8,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $18,506. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies 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 earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts 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.
New Mexico Military Institute ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Roswell, New Mexico Military Institute is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,190, while out-of-state students pay about $14,156. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from New Mexico Military Institute generally make around $10,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Western Texas College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $6,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,691 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Western Texas College earn a median of $68,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,771 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,641. That is a strong return on a $9,771 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,200. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $27,148. Set against $9,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #16 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,111. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $31,097 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus came in at #18 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Ruidoso, Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $1,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,268 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,110. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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.
St Philips College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $14,951 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,862. Set against $14,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $34,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Central Arizona College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Students borrow a median of $10,680 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $29,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts 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, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $26,334 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Brazosport College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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 liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $26,792. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista 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 general studies graduates is $9,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,952. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
Narrow Liberal Arts General Studies Schools by State
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 171 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 171 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.
