Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Degrees in Texas by ROI
Colleges in Texas ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Texas
51
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$287,859
Across Texas programs
Average Annual Cost
$12,870
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Austin Community College District
Grad rate: 16.1% |
-$52,342 | $41,511 | $11,156 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Odessa College
Grad rate: 25.7% |
-$112,755 | $38,100 | $12,315 | $7,500 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Central Texas College
Grad rate: 16.2% |
-$132,764 | $37,108 | $11,792 | $8,400 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Alvin Community College
Grad rate: 31.2% |
-$138,387 | $36,759 | $11,329 | $8,081 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Midland College
Grad rate: 20.4% |
-$146,503 | $36,298 | $12,519 | $5,500 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Victoria College
Grad rate: 22.1% |
-$172,784 | $34,472 | $11,112 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Frank Phillips College
Grad rate: 32.2% |
-$173,814 | $34,782 | $14,727 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Lamar State College-Port Arthur
Grad rate: 28.0% |
-$178,262 | $34,215 | $11,281 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Grayson College
Grad rate: 21.9% |
-$193,166 | $34,136 | $12,290 | $8,375 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Ranger College
Grad rate: 38.5% |
-$211,120 | $33,385 | $14,685 | $7,000 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Lee College
Grad rate: 27.5% |
-$212,202 | $33,167 | $12,050 | $8,476 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Palo Alto College
Grad rate: 29.3% |
-$219,642 | $32,109 | $10,911 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Dallas College
Grad rate: 35.1% |
-$228,352 | $32,289 | $9,641 | $11,000 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Tarrant County College District
Grad rate: 22.7% |
-$231,374 | $32,342 | $11,720 | $10,944 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Lone Star College System
Grad rate: 18.3% |
-$231,634 | $32,536 | $14,637 | $9,689 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Degrees by State
Browse Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.