2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southwest Region
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 214 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,060. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Pima Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,939 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Brazosport College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,792. 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 #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 100%.
College Of The Mainland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,081 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $35,306. That is a strong return on a $8,081 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. 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.
Trinity Valley Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,246. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Texas College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,691. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
Lamar State College Orange came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. 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.
Grayson College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $8,375 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $34,262. That is a strong return on a $8,375 median debt.
Del Mar College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $8,680 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $22,108 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico Military Institute came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Roswell, New Mexico Military Institute is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,190, with out-of-state students paying around $14,156. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $10,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico Military Institute admits about 53% of applicants.
Wharton County Junior College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,200 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,148. That is a strong return on a $9,200 median debt.
Tarrant County College District ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,179. Set against $10,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,680 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. 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.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $34,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Laredo Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Laredo Community College is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $41,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Austin Community College District earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
Midland College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $24,147. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $9,771 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $23,641. That is a strong return on a $9,771 median debt.
Northwest Vista College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. 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 Northwest Vista College generally make around $25,952. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Students borrow a median of $6,402 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $17,969. That is a strong return on a $6,402 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 214 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 124 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.
