by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 96 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general psychology students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools in Texas. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,844. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $34,531. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for general psychology. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $15,537. General Psychology graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $24,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,537 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Alvin Community College one of the best values for general psychology. 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, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $8,600. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $55,057. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the general psychology program here. 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.
A rank of #5 makes South Texas College one of the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $7,743. General Psychology graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $19,552 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #6 among the best values for general psychology. 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, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $5,400. General Psychology graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $20,644 early in their careers. Set against $5,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College landed the #7 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District placed #8 among the best values for general psychology. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,956 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,930. That is a strong return on a $13,956 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $26,541 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #10 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Houston Community College landed the #11 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $10,058. General Psychology graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,503 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $25,076 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $26,359 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $34,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,359 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #15 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,731 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $46,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,731 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
South Plains College came in at #16 for value in general psychology this year. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Texas Womans University came in at #17 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,250. General Psychology graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $31,498 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Rice University placed #18 among the best values for general psychology. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,505 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $41,299. That is a strong return on a $12,505 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Temple College came in at #19 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, compared with $7,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $16,617. General Psychology graduates of Temple College earn a median of $55,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #20 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,952 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $44,121. Set against $21,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Paris Junior College earned the #21 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $18,195. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $27,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Howard College earned the #23 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,242 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $41,039. That is a strong return on a $14,242 median debt.
Odessa College earned the #24 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #25 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,751 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,099. Set against $22,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general psychology value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 96 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.