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2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

39 Ranked Colleges
20,459 Degrees Awarded
$6,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 365,980 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across the Southwest region, there were 28,078 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 20,459 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,605 and $16,886 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 39 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

#1

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Texas College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. South Texas College is located in McAllen, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 333 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

South Texas College also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend South Texas College is $1,390 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at South Texas College

#2

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Central New Mexico Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school handed out 777 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

CNM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $3,626 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CNM.

Read more about Liberal Arts at CNM

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Collin County Community College District landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in McKinney, Texas, and it awarded 1,640 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Collin County Community College District, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Collin County Community College District is $5,536 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Collin County Community College District

#4

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pima Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pima County Community College District is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 866 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, Pima County Community College District has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pima County Community College District is $3,417 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Pima Community College

#5

Northwest Vista College

San Antonio, Texas
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwest Vista College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 279 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwest Vista College, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $4,906 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwest Vista College.

Full Northwest Vista College Liberal Arts Report

#6

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas
#3 in overall quality

San Antonio College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Antonio College is a fairly large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 216 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

San Antonio College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $6,189 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Antonio College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at San Antonio College

#7

Central Texas College

Killeen, Texas
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Central Texas College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Central Texas College is located in Killeen, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 299 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Central Texas College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Texas College is $5,348 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Central Texas College Liberal Arts Report

#8

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
#10 in overall quality

Oklahoma City Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this fairly large public school handed out 26 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

OCCC also took the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $5,981 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oklahoma City Community College.

Full OCCC Liberal Arts Report

#9

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
#2 in overall quality

Lone Star College System ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in The Woodlands, Texas, and it awarded 5,833 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

North Harris Montgomery did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $7,538 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend North Harris Montgomery.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Lone Star College System

#10

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, El Paso Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in El Paso, Texas, and it awarded 1,354 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, El Paso Community College has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend El Paso Community College is $4,609 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at El Paso Community College

#8 in overall quality

McLennan Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. MCC is a medium-sized school located in Waco, Texas that handed out 731 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k list, MCC has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MCC is $6,191 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at McLennan Community College

#12

Palo Alto College

San Antonio, Texas
#16 in overall quality

Palo Alto College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Palo Alto College is a fairly large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 166 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Palo Alto College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Palo Alto College is $5,170 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Palo Alto College

#13

Central Arizona College

Coolidge, Arizona
#18 in overall quality

Central Arizona College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Coolidge, Arizona, and it awarded 266 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pinal County Community College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $6,252 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Pinal County Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Central Arizona College

#14

Grayson College

Denison, Texas

Grayson College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Denison, Texas, this small public school awarded 208 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Grayson College is $7,336 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Grayson College Liberal Arts Report

#15

Lee College

Baytown, Texas
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Lee College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lee College is located in Baytown, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 214 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Lee College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lee College is $6,555 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Lee College

#16

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona
#5 in overall quality

Mesa Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Mesa, Arizona, this fairly large public school awarded 982 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mesa Community College, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mesa Community College is $9,317 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Mesa Community College Liberal Arts Report

#17

St Philip's College

San Antonio, Texas
#20 in overall quality

St Philip’s College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. St Philip’s College is a fairly large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 14 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

St Philip’s College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend St Philip’s College is $6,522 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at St Philip’s College

#17 in overall quality

Trinity Valley Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Athens, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 608 students in 2019-2020.

TVCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Trinity Valley Community College is $7,396 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Trinity Valley Community College

#19

Clovis Community College

Clovis, New Mexico

Clovis Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Clovis, New Mexico is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 91 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Clovis Community College is $4,771 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Clovis Community College

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Estrella Mountain Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Avondale, Arizona is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 555 students in 2019-2020.

Estrella Mountain Community College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $8,740 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Estrella Mountain Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Estrella Mountain Community College

#21

San Juan College

Farmington, New Mexico

San Juan College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Farmington, New Mexico is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 101 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for San Juan College is $5,641 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full San Juan College Liberal Arts Report

#22

Glendale Community College

Glendale, Arizona
#13 in overall quality

Glendale Community College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Glendale Community College is a fairly large school located in Glendale, Arizona that handed out 1,077 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Glendale Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Glendale Community College is $8,465 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Glendale Community College

#23

Phoenix College

Phoenix, Arizona
#12 in overall quality

Phoenix College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 433 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Phoenix College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Phoenix College is $8,867 for southwest region associate degree liberal studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Phoenix College

With a ranking of #24, Western Oklahoma State College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Altus, Oklahoma, and it awarded 70 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,612 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Western.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Western Oklahoma State College

#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. ENMU - Main Campus is a medium-sized school located in Portales, New Mexico that handed out 242 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

ENMU - Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus is $8,219 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Studies students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at ENMU - Main Campus

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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