2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Texas
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 91 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Texas
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
For return on investment in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, no school beat College Of The Mainland this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $27,368 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $33,060 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M University Central Texas one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $22,688. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $38,253. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tarrant County College District earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Lamar State College Port Arthur is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,770, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Students borrow a median of $33,385 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. 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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,680 median debt.
Midland College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. 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.
Trinity Valley Community College earned the #9 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $29,246. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
South Texas College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $20,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Texas College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,150. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,691. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Western Texas College earn a median of $68,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
El Paso Community College earned the #12 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. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,771. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $23,641 early in their careers. Set against $9,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #13 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. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $22,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. 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.
St Philips College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,951. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. 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 / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $34,262. That is a strong return on a $8,375 median debt.
San Antonio College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $26,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,625. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $26,792 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,843. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $30,690. Set against $12,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College earned the #20 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. 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 / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,500. 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.
Amarillo College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,830 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $31,173 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,830 median debt.
Austin Community College District landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,436. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Bend College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,916, while out-of-state students pay about $5,226. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. Set against $14,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $17,106. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $29,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Odessa College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
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 · 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.
