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Best Value Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Texas

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Texas A&M University-Central Texas transforms financial accessibility with a net cost of just $1,113 while delivering earnings of $31,670 for Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates. This remarkable value proposition contrasts sharply with private options like Southwestern Assemblies of God University at $19,655 annually. The 20 programs across Texas span from ultra-affordable community-focused institutions to flagship universities, with earnings ranging from $27,552 to $42,682. Texas State University leads earnings at $42,682, reflecting strong connections to the state's expanding professional services sector and government positions in Austin-San Marcos. The state's massive healthcare workforce, anchored by Houston's Texas Medical Center, creates abundant opportunities for liberal arts graduates in healthcare administration, patient advocacy, and medical communications. Public institutions dominate the value market, with 13 of the top 15 schools offering in-state tuition below $12,000. Graduate debt averages $21,000 across programs, while acceptance rates remain accessible at 80% or higher for most institutions.
50
Programs
$1,113 – $41,942
Net Price Range
$33,805
Avg. Program Earnings
48.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $1,113 $31,670 $6,627 95.7%
2 $6,500 $27,552 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
3 $10,948 $40,037 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
4 $11,234 $33,616 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
5 $11,429 $31,820 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
6 $11,268 $31,205 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
7 $12,637 $33,993 $7,930 31.2% 91.5%
8 $16,438 $42,682 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
9 $15,235 $37,568 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
10 $14,352 $35,116 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
11 $16,025 $38,289 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
12 $13,853 $29,250 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
13 $19,678 $38,289 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
14 $19,655 $35,060 $18,610 35.5% 85.7%
15 $20,071 $35,471 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
16 $20,841 $36,282 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
17 $20,498 $35,060 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
18 $20,540 $35,060 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
19 $19,734 $33,281 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
20 $20,261 $33,637 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
21 $22,240 $25,194 $36,690 40.5% 85.7%
22 $30,092 $31,133 $38,140 60.4% 91.4%
23 $41,778 $43,128 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%
24 $33,531 $28,405 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
25 $28,690 $22,329 $33,150 53.4% 95.7%
26 $10,991 $7,592 27.4% 97.1%
27 $25,491 $17,457 71.8%
28 $18,762 $33,660 68.6% 96.7%
29 $20,924 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
30 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
31 $8,376 $9,590 43.8% 93.6%
32 $10,650 $10,008 10.7%
33 $9,144 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
34 $8,750 $7,680 27.3%
35 $23,650 $51,352 81.9% 30.5%
36 $10,409 $11,720 15.1%
37 $28,599 $19,290 4.5%
38 $41,942 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%
39 $25,470 $50,880 68.0% 58.7%
40 $23,790 $30,050 48.0% 67.7%
41 $19,710 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
42 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
43 $14,623 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
44 $8,624 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%
45 $25,255 $33,322 31.1% 62.3%
46 $19,847 $14,703 36.1% 51.9%
47 $20,581 $24,588 41.1% 53.6%
48 $25,910 $27,298 48.7% 81.6%
49 $11,882 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
50 $17,760 $31,728 42.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Texas A&M University-Central Texas such an strong value for liberal arts students?

The university offers the lowest net cost at $1,113 with graduates earning $31,670 annually, creating an outstanding return on investment. With a 95.71% acceptance rate and manageable debt averaging $17,997, students gain access to quality education without significant financial burden. The Killeen location provides proximity to Fort Hood and Austin's government sector, opening career paths in public service and military support roles.

How do earnings compare between the most and least expensive programs in Texas?

Texas State University commands the highest earnings at $42,682 despite a mid-range net cost of $16,438, while UT Rio Grande Valley graduates earn $27,552 with a net cost of $6,500. This $15,130 earnings difference reflects regional job markets and program focus areas. The cost-to-earnings ratio varies significantly, with some lower-cost programs delivering comparable career outcomes to more expensive alternatives.

Is private education worth the premium for liberal arts students in Texas?

Southwestern Assemblies of God University costs $19,655 annually but produces graduates earning $35,060, while several public options offer similar or better earnings at half the cost. The 35.50% graduation rate at the private institution also lags behind top public programs like UT Austin at 87.60%. Public universities consistently deliver better value propositions with lower debt loads and stronger completion rates.

Does location within Texas significantly impact career prospects for liberal arts graduates?

Major metropolitan areas show clear advantages, with UT Arlington graduates earning $37,568 in the Dallas-Fort Worth region compared to $27,552 at UT Rio Grande Valley in the border area. Houston's massive medical complex creates specialized opportunities for liberal arts graduates in healthcare communications and administration. Austin's government sector and San Antonio's military presence provide additional career pathways that influence regional earning potential.

Where can students find the best graduation rates among affordable liberal arts programs?

UT Austin leads with an 87.60% graduation rate but costs $19,678 annually, while University of Houston achieves 64.90% completion at $13,853 net cost. Texas Tech maintains a strong 67.50% rate despite higher costs at $20,071. Among the most affordable options, UT San Antonio delivers a solid 51.20% graduation rate at just $11,234 net cost, balancing accessibility with completion success.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.