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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

95 Ranked Colleges
63,814 Degrees Awarded
$4,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 559,661 degrees handed out in 2019-2020, liberal arts / sciences and humanities is the 3rd most popular major in the United States. In 2017-2018, liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southwest region, there were 78,664 liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,829 and $15,343 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 63,814 liberal arts / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,605 and $16,886 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 95 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 / sciences and humanities program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. 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 Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#1

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend El Centro College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Dallas, Texas, and it awarded 5,589 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

El Centro College also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for El Centro College is $4,228 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full El Centro College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#1 in overall quality

Out of the 95 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Tarrant County College District landed the #2 spot on the list. Fort Worth, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 4,575 students in 2019-2020.

Tarrant County College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $5,742 for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Tarrant County College District.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Tarrant County College

#3

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Texas College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in McAllen, Texas, this large public school awarded 1,590 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

South Texas College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $1,390 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend South Texas College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at South Texas College

#4

Houston Community College

Houston, Texas
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Houston Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Houston Community College is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,851 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Houston Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Houston Community College is $5,351 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Houston Community College

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Austin Community College District. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Austin Community College District is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 1,547 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Austin Community College District not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $4,362 for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Austin Community College District.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Austin Community College District

#6

Brazosport College

Lake Jackson, Texas
#11 in overall quality

Brazosport College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Lake Jackson, Texas, this small public school handed out 306 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BC, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Brazosport College is $4,286 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Brazosport College

#7

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Central New Mexico Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Central New Mexico Community College is a large public school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 2,089 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, CNM has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CNM is $3,626 for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Central New Mexico Community College

#3 in overall quality

Collin County Community College District did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. This large school is located in McKinney, Texas, and it awarded 2,763 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, Collin County Community College District has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $5,536 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Collin County Community College District.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Collin County Community College District

#9

College of the Mainland

Texas City, Texas

College of the Mainland did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Texas City, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 269 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend College of the Mainland is $1,101 for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at COM

#10

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
#16 in overall quality

Pima Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pima County Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 1,022 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Pima County Community College District also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Pima County Community College District is $3,417 for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Pima Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#11

Northwest Vista College

San Antonio, Texas
#8 in overall quality

Northwest Vista College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 2,618 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

Northwest Vista College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Vista College is $4,906 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northwest Vista College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#12

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas
#7 in overall quality

San Antonio College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Antonio College is located in San Antonio, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2,142 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k list, San Antonio College has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $6,189 for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Antonio College.

Full San Antonio College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#13

Central Texas College

Killeen, Texas
#12 in overall quality

Central Texas College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 793 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Texas College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $5,348 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Central Texas College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Central Texas College

#14

North Central Texas College

Gainesville, Texas
#19 in overall quality

North Central Texas College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. North Central Texas College is a medium-sized public school situated in Gainesville, Texas. It awarded 720 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

NCTC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Central Texas College is $4,308 for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at North Central Texas College

#15

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
#17 in overall quality

Oklahoma City Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. OCCC is a fairly large school located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that handed out 618 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

OCCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $5,981 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend OCCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Oklahoma City Community College

#16

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
#4 in overall quality

Lone Star College System ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

North Harris Montgomery also took the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lone Star College System is $7,538 for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full North Harris Montgomery Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

#17

Midland College

Midland, Texas
#13 in overall quality

Midland College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Midland College is a small school located in Midland, Texas that handed out 266 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

Midland College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Midland College is $4,308 for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Midland College

Wharton County Junior College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wharton County Junior College is a medium-sized school located in Wharton, Texas that handed out 324 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Wharton County Junior College is $4,163 for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Wharton County Junior College

#19

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas

With a ranking of #19, El Paso Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in El Paso, Texas, this large public school awarded 1,473 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend El Paso Community College is $4,609 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at El Paso Community College

#15 in overall quality

McLennan Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 839 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

MCC also took the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend McLennan Community College is $6,191 for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at MCC

#21

Odessa College

Odessa, Texas

With a ranking of #21, Odessa College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Odessa College is a public institution located in Odessa, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 369 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,129 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Odessa College.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Odessa College

#22

Palo Alto College

San Antonio, Texas

Palo Alto College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Palo Alto College is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,217 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Palo Alto College is $5,170 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Palo Alto College

#23

Central Arizona College

Coolidge, Arizona

With a ranking of #23, Central Arizona College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pinal County Community College is a small school located in Coolidge, Arizona that handed out 301 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,252 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Central Arizona College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Central Arizona College

#24

Kilgore College

Kilgore, Texas

Kilgore College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kilgore College is a public institution located in Kilgore, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 524 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,255 for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kilgore College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Kilgore College

#25

Laredo College

Laredo, Texas

Laredo College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Laredo College is a medium-sized school located in Laredo, Texas that handed out 738 associates’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Laredo College is $4,533 for southwest region associate degree liberal arts / sciences & humanities students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Laredo College

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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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