2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for general education in Texas. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. 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 $23,160 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for general education. 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 $14,694 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Houston Victoria one of the best values for general education. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at University Of North Texas At Dallas, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin, which ranked #5. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $20,052. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #6 for value in general education this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,531. 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.
Texas Womans University landed the #7 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,252. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $19,819. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #10 for value in general education this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Midwestern State University landed the #11 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. General Education graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #12 for value in general education this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Sul Ross State University came in at #13 for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,592, while out-of-state students pay about $17,672. 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. That is a strong return on a $18,951 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $56,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #15 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. General Education graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. 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%.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #16 among the best values for general education. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $23,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,275. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University placed #18 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,271. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas Wesleyan University landed the #19 spot for general education value this year. Texas Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,582. Students borrow a median of $26,461 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas Wesleyan University generally make around $53,233. Set against $26,461 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Assemblies Of God University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Waxahachie, Southwestern Assemblies Of God University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,064 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southwestern Assemblies Of God University generally make around $47,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Southern University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Students borrow a median of $35,330 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $41,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Southern University admits about 97% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Schreiner University landed the #23 spot for general education value this year. Schreiner University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Kerrville. Students from in state pay about $39,266 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,580 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Schreiner University generally make around $54,525. That is a strong return on a $24,580 median debt. Schreiner University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of The Incarnate Word came in at #24 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,028 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $57,743. Set against $28,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of The Incarnate Word admits about 98% of applicants.
West Texas A And M University placed #25 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general education this year:
Notes and References
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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
