2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southwest Region
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) 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 171 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
El Centro College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $33,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $27,368. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Texas A And M University Central Texas, which ranked #3. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $22,688 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,253. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,944. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $30,179 early in their careers. Set against $10,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #5. 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. Students borrow a median of $8,939 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,002. That is a strong return on a $8,939 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,770, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. Set against $33,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,147. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,680. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $22,108 early in their careers. Set against $8,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $29,246 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
South Texas College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $20,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico Military Institute placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Roswell, New Mexico Military Institute is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,190, while out-of-state students pay about $14,156. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of New Mexico Military Institute earn a median of $10,627 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico Military Institute admits about 53% of applicants.
Western Texas College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Students borrow a median of $8,691 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $68,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,771 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $27,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $31,097. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $3,268. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Ruidoso Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,951 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
Oklahoma City Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $34,626. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Central Arizona College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,680. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio 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 / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,334. Set against $10,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brazosport College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $26,792. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Northwest Vista College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northwest Vista College earn a median of $25,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,110. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
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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 · 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.
