2026 Best Value General History Schools in Texas
[General History](/majors/history/history/general-history/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 87 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general history students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General History Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general history degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General History Schools
Leading the list is Texas A And M International University, our #1 best value for general history in Texas. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. General History graduates carry a median of $18,107 in student loans. Early-career general history graduates make about $29,180. Set against $18,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #2 place for general history. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for general history graduates is $15,230. General History graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general history, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. General History graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. General History graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general history will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. General History graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general history degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $26,081. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes Houston Community College one of the best values for general history. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general history graduates is $19,223. General History graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rice University earned the #6 position for value in general history this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for general history graduates is $11,904. Early-career general history graduates make about $75,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general history schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. General History graduates carry a median of $22,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general history degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $57,239. That is a strong return on a $22,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lone Star College System landed the #8 spot for general history value this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general history graduates is $10,425. Early-career general history graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Tyler Junior College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general history schools. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. General History graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. General History graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #10 position for value in general history this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. General History graduates carry a median of $22,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general history degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $33,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #11 among the best values for general history. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. General History graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Early-career general history graduates make about $30,230. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas Womans University came in at #12 for value in general history this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $25,088 to complete the general history program here. Soon after graduation, general history degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $54,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Lamar University placed #13 among the best values for general history. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the general history program here. Soon after graduation, general history degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Midwestern State University earned the #14 position for value in general history this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Typical student debt for general history graduates is $30,500. General History 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general history schools. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for general history graduates is $23,796. General History graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $24,801 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Houston earned the #16 position for value in general history this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for general history graduates is $21,250. Early-career general history graduates make about $39,240. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University earned the #17 position for value in general history this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. General History graduates carry a median of $21,344 in student loans. General History graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $34,519 early in their careers. Set against $21,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #18 position for value in general history this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. General History graduates carry a median of $22,680 in student loans. General History graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $36,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,680 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general history schools. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Typical student debt for general history graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general history degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $33,392. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #20 for value in general history this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Students borrow a median of $19,300 to complete the general history program here. Early-career general history graduates make about $34,269. Set against $19,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #21 for value in general history this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. General History graduates carry a median of $26,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general history degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $37,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general history schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the general history program here. Early-career general history graduates make about $44,806. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #23 for value in general history this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general history graduates is $25,000. General History graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $31,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #24 among the best values for general history. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. General History graduates carry a median of $23,973 in student loans. Early-career general history graduates make about $40,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Sam Houston State University placed #25 among the best values for general history. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the general history program here. General History graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $40,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value General History Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general history:
More General History Rankings
View All General History Rankings >
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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
