2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the Southwest Region
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Education Schools
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for general education in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,160. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Grants is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Grants, New Mexico State University Grants is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,272 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,048 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of New Mexico State University Grants earn a median of $34,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,048 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Students borrow a median of $19,277 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #6 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #7 spot for general education value this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
San Juan College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #11 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #12 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #13 for value in general education this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University placed #14 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $49,638. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $13,250. Early-career general education graduates make about $56,784. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #16 spot for general education value this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Texas Womans University came in at #17 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $54,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #18 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #19 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,842. Early-career general education graduates make about $93,670. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Sul Ross State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,592, compared with $17,672 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,951 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Sul Ross State University generally make around $55,540. Set against $18,951 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sul Ross State University admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #22 position for value in general education this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,100. General Education graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #23 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $56,083. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,738 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas Tech University landed the #25 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general education this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
