2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Texas
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 121 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Texas
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
Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in Texas. 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, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $33,060. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $22,688. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,253. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Brazosport College, which ranked #3. 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. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Alvin Community College, which ranked #4. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,081. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $35,306. Set against $8,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Mainland earned it the #5 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. 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.
Trinity Valley Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $29,246. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Texas College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
South Texas College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $20,366. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,375 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $34,262 early in their careers. Set against $8,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,680 in student loans. 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.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,200. 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.
Tarrant County College District came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,944 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $30,179. Set against $10,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,748 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 Laredo Community College generally make around $41,354. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Austin Community College District came in at #15 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $38,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Midland College earn a median of $24,147 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
El Paso Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $9,771 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Vista College earned the #18 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. 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 $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northwest Vista College earn a median of $25,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Bend College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,916 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,226. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,609 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Port Arthur landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,770, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $33,385. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Students borrow a median of $8,400 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $39,731. That is a strong return on a $8,400 median debt.
Mclennan Community College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,843 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,690. That is a strong return on a $12,843 median debt.
Palo Alto College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $9,430 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,062. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
San Antonio College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,951. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 121 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 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.
