by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Texas? We have ranked 114 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. This is our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — scroll to Customize Your Rankings to switch views.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 114 schools to produce this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In This Year’s Value Report:
Our analysis looked at 114 schools in Texas to find which ones offer the best value. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. We weigh cost against outcomes such as graduation rates, educational resources, and what graduates earn.
The schools that score best offer the strongest return on your investment. Read more about our methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year in Texas. Based in Killeen, TX, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. The median program debt is $23,160. About 100% of those who apply are admitted.
Brazosport College came in at #2 on this year's best-value ranking in Texas. Based in Lake Jackson, TX, Brazosport College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $6,625. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $45,910. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values in Texas. Based in Laredo, TX, Texas A And M International University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Median earnings reach $48,386 ten years out. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University has an acceptance rate of 44%.
A rank of #4 makes Alvin Community College one of the best values in Texas. Based in Alvin, TX, Alvin Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Alvin Community College students take on a median of $8,600 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,762 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Mainland earned it the #5 place in Texas. Based in Texas City, TX, College Of The Mainland is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. College Of The Mainland students take on a median of $10,928 in debt. Median earnings reach $39,639 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College landed the #6 spot for value in Texas this year. Located in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,714 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Austin Community College District ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Austin, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. The median program debt is $14,519. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,177. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Set in Corpus Christi, TX, Del Mar College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,656 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Located in Wharton, TX, Wharton County Junior College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Students borrow a median of $10,916 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,960. That is a strong return on a $10,916 median debt.
Tarrant County College District placed #10 among the best values in Texas. Located in Fort Worth, TX, Tarrant County College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. The median program debt is $15,148. Median earnings reach $42,727 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
South Texas College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Located in McAllen, TX, South Texas College is a public institution. 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 $6,868 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,788. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victoria College landed the #12 spot for value in Texas this year. Set in Victoria, TX, Victoria College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,976, with out-of-state students paying around $5,328. Typical student debt is $10,910. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,382 ten years after entry. Set against $10,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Set in Edinburg, TX, The University Of Texas Pan American is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,620 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Lamar State College Orange came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Located in Orange, TX, Lamar State College Orange is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,587. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College placed #15 among the best values in Texas. This public school is set in Denison, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Grayson College students take on a median of $11,627 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,873 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinity Valley Community College placed #16 among the best values in Texas. This public school is set in Athens, TX. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Trinity Valley Community College students take on a median of $12,323 in debt. Trinity Valley Community College alumni report median earnings of $38,567 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,323 median debt.
Midland College landed the #17 spot for value in Texas this year. Midland College is a public school based in Midland, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Midland College students take on a median of $9,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,958. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Amarillo College landed the #18 spot for value in Texas this year. Located in Amarillo, TX, Amarillo College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Amarillo College alumni report median earnings of $41,302 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Texas College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Western Texas College is a public school based in Snyder, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $6,150. Typical student debt is $8,691. Western Texas College alumni report median earnings of $42,508 a decade after entry. Set against $8,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in Killeen, TX, Central Texas College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,995. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College landed the #21 spot for value in Texas this year. Set in Baytown, TX, Lee College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $42,178 ten years out. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College landed the #22 spot for value in Texas this year. Located in San Antonio, TX, St Philips College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt is $15,653. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,224. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.
Northwest Vista College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Northwest Vista College is a public school based in San Antonio, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $9,189. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Located in San Antonio, TX, San Antonio College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. San Antonio College students take on a median of $11,839 in debt. San Antonio College alumni report median earnings of $39,711 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Located in Dallas, TX, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. About 84% of those who apply are admitted.
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 114 ranked schools only.
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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 114 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.