2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 158 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general psychology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
For return on investment in general psychology, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. 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 $23,844 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $34,531 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #2. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $15,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $24,871. That is a strong return on a $15,537 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $8,858. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $25,675. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology 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. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $8,600. General Psychology graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #5 place for general psychology. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,743 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $19,552. That is a strong return on a $7,743 median debt.
El Centro College came in at #6 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $14,557. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #7 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $12,319. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $28,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #8 for value in general psychology this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,400 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $20,644. That is a strong return on a $5,400 median debt.
Del Mar College earned the #9 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
Austin Community College District placed #10 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,956 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $29,930 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,956 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #11 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,541. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #12 for value in general psychology this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $17,725 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $26,250. Set against $17,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
San Juan College landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Students borrow a median of $13,435 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $32,324. That is a strong return on a $13,435 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Houston Community College landed the #16 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $19,223. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #17 for value in general psychology 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, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,058 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $20,050. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $19,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Redlands Community College placed #19 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,385, with out-of-state students paying around $7,951. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,682 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Redlands Community College earn a median of $45,166 early in their careers. Set against $14,682 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College placed #20 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $18,503. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $25,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $26,359. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $34,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #22 among the best values for general psychology. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $21,731 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $46,009. That is a strong return on a $21,731 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
South Plains College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $13,788. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,949. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central University landed the #24 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $34,597. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma came in at #25 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Chickasha, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,000, while out-of-state students pay about $20,190. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma generally make around $30,136. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma admits about 66% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general psychology value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 158 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 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.
