2027 Best Value Education Schools in Texas
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 104 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
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2027 Best Value Education Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
For return on investment in education, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,160. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at College Of The Mainland, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Tarrant County College District one of the best values for education. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Education graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $24,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #4 place for education. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,500. Early-career education graduates make about $25,385. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Lamar State College Orange, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Education graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College earned the #6 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,750. Early-career education graduates make about $22,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College placed #8 among the best values for education. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Education graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $16,902 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,940 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $56,967 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Palo Alto College came in at #10 for value in education this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Palo Alto College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,430. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Palo Alto College generally make around $29,062. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $10,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,627. Education graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #13 among the best values for education. 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. Education graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt.
El Paso Community College landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Education graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $19,141 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
San Antonio College earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Education graduates carry a median of $10,375 in student loans. Education graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $21,184 early in their careers. Set against $10,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College came in at #16 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Education graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $47,856. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #17 for value in education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $60,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Midland College earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Education graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District placed #19 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $17,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,430. That is a strong return on a $17,785 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College placed #20 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Students borrow a median of $12,323 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College placed #21 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Education graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Education graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Amarillo College earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Education graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Education graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $17,997 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
Mclennan Community College landed the #23 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Students borrow a median of $11,598 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Education graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Education graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Texas College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,352. Education graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $43,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 104 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.
