2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Texas
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 91 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked College Of The Mainland the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in Texas. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $27,368. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Central Texas earned it the #3 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $22,688 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,253. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Tarrant County College District came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,944 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $30,179. That is a strong return on a $10,944 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,770, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $78,580. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. 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. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $29,246 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,500. Liberal Arts General Studies 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 ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. 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 ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,771 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,641. That is a strong return on a $9,771 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #14 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $26,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,951 median debt.
Grayson College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,375 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
San Antonio College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,792. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $30,690 early in their careers. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,952. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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 liberal arts general studies graduates is $13,830. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $31,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $38,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Coastal Bend College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,916, compared with $5,226 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Median earnings reach $35,086 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,609 median debt.
Houston Community College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,106 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $29,423. Set against $17,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,193. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
