Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Texas
- 50
- Schools
- $41,251
- Avg. Earnings
- 33%
- Avg. Graduation
- $5,753
- Avg. Net Price
- $11,412
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $33,159 at the low end to $57,131 at the top. That 1.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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College of the Mainland offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $39,639 against $1,342 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, College of the Mainland at $1,342 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $39,639, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: Western Texas College graduates 56% of its students, well above the 33% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Laredo College: graduates owe only 0.09× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Texas A & M International University ($48,386 earnings), not the highest earner, The University of Texas at San Antonio ($57,131). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. College of the Mainland ($1,342/yr) and The University of Texas at San Antonio ($10,836/yr) produce graduates earning $39,639 and $57,131 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $9,494 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, College of the Mainland outperforms The University of Texas at San Antonio: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with College of the Mainland and Western Texas College. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $40K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Texas A & M International University #1 overall | $48,386 ▲ +17% vs avg | $3,637 | 48% | 88 |
| 2 Lamar State College-Orange #2 overall | $36,587 ▼ -11% vs avg | $1,655 | 34% | 87 |
| 3 Victoria College #3 overall | $42,382 ▲ +3% vs avg | $3,043 | 27% | 87 |
| $35,212 ▼ -15% vs avg | $3,206 | 23% | 86 | |
| $39,639 ▼ -4% vs avg | $1,342 | 30% | 86 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Texas
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $41,251 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 33% and an average net price of $5,753.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: College of the Mainland — Net Price: $1,342 | Graduation Rate: 30%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Western Texas College — 56% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: The University of Texas at San Antonio — Median alumni earnings: $57,131
Data Insight
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$39,711
Median earnings (10yr)
32%
Median graduation rate
$5,768
Median net price
3.1%
Avg. mobility rate
Value rankings exist to show where students get the most for their money. The answer is rarely the cheapest school or the one with the highest earnings. It is the intersection of low cost and strong outcomes, which is what our methodology is built to surface. The schools at the top of this list show that affordability and results can coexist.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $39,711 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 32%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $5,768 a year with about $10,500 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 34% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 3.1%.
The schools that win on value are the ones where net price and earnings form the tightest ratio. Median net price runs $5,768 and graduates earn a median of $39,711. That ratio, not prestige or selectivity, is the truest measure of what a degree is worth.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Texas A & M International University lands at #1 with a 88/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $48,386 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,637 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Lamar State College-Orange lands at #2 with a 87/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $36,587 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,655 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Victoria College lands at #3 with a 87/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $42,382 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,043 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
El Paso Community College lands at #4 with a 86/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $35,212 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,206 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
College of the Mainland lands at #5 with a 86/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $39,639 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,342 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Edinburg, TX · 94% accepted · $4,831 net
Why it ranks #6
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley lands at #6 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (57/100). Graduates earn a median $49,620 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,831 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Lamar State College-Port Arthur lands at #7 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by social mobility (45/100). Graduates earn a median $37,120 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,846 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Western Texas College lands at #8 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $42,508 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,562 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Tarrant County College District lands at #9 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,727 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,337 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Texas Southmost College lands at #10 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by social mobility (37/100). Graduates earn a median $41,900 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,085 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Dallas College lands at #11 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (38/100). Graduates earn a median $41,714 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,214 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Amarillo College lands at #12 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $41,302 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,600 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Wharton County Junior College lands at #13 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,960 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,666 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Panola College lands at #14 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $36,072 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,216 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
McLennan Community College lands at #15 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $39,163 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,051 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
South Texas College lands at #16 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (97/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (29/100). Graduates earn a median $36,788 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,751 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Kilgore College lands at #17 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $37,975 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,364 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Trinity Valley Community College lands at #18 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,567 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,092 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Ranger College lands at #19 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $35,552 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,182 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Midland College lands at #20 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $43,958 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,512 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
San Antonio College lands at #21 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $39,711 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,585 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Odessa College lands at #22 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $42,026 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,368 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Brazosport College lands at #23 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (68/100). Graduates earn a median $45,910 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,732 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
North Central Texas College lands at #24 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $45,809 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,587 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Vernon College lands at #25 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $40,464 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,404 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
South Plains College lands at #26 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $41,276 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,791 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Northeast Texas Community College lands at #27 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $37,870 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,706 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Grayson College lands at #28 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by social mobility (48/100). Graduates earn a median $40,873 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,880 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Lee College lands at #29 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,178 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,879 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Lamar University lands at #30 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $49,652 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,366 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
The University of Texas at El Paso lands at #31 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,923 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,403 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
St Philip's College lands at #32 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by social mobility (35/100). Graduates earn a median $38,224 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,273 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Howard College lands at #33 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by social mobility (45/100). Graduates earn a median $38,382 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,147 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Southwest Texas College lands at #34 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $35,563 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,372 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Palo Alto College lands at #35 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by social mobility (41/100). Graduates earn a median $37,448 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,463 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Northwest Vista College lands at #36 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $42,490 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,525 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Hill College lands at #37 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $39,572 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,577 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Paris Junior College lands at #38 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $36,515 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,690 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Wiley University lands at #39 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (68/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $33,159 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,092 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Clarendon College lands at #40 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $38,696 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,390 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Austin Community College District lands at #41 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (39/100). Graduates earn a median $43,177 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,390 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Frank Phillips College lands at #42 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $37,179 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,953 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Laredo College lands at #43 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (36/100). Graduates earn a median $33,934 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,798 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
San Antonio, TX · 87% accepted · $10,836 net
Why it ranks #44
The University of Texas at San Antonio lands at #44 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $57,131 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,836 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Texas A&M University-Victoria lands at #45 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $54,467 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $8,109 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Texarkana College lands at #46 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $34,647 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,812 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Houston City College lands at #47 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $39,254 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,737 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Cisco College lands at #48 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $39,092 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,624 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
University of Houston-Downtown lands at #49 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,551 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,542 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
University of North Texas at Dallas lands at #50 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by social mobility (49/100). Net price runs $6,420 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Finding a college that fits your budget is crucial for many students and families. The most affordable colleges in Texas offer pathways to a degree without the burden of overwhelming debt. With net prices as low as $1,655, these institutions are worth considering for anyone looking to minimize their educational expenses.
These schools stand out not just for their low costs, but also for their outcomes. The average earnings for graduates from these colleges reach about $41,251, with graduation rates averaging 33%. The data here highlights not just affordability, but also the potential return on investment and the importance of completing a degree.
For example, Texas A & M International University has a net price of $3,637, with average earnings of $48,386 and a graduation rate of 48%. In contrast, Lamar State College-Orange offers a much lower net price of $1,655 but a lower graduation rate of 34% and average earnings of $36,587. This illustrates how different schools can deliver varying benefits despite similar affordability, making it essential to weigh these factors carefully.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 32 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 3.1%. South Texas College leads the group at 6.9%, with The University of Texas at El Paso (6.8%) and Southwest Texas College (5.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 19.9% of students start in the bottom income quintile. South Texas College leads at 52.4%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 15.9% across this list. Brazosport College posts the highest success rate at 28.6%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.12 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Midland College reaches 1.56, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When looking closely at the data, a notable pattern emerges between Texas A & M International University and Victoria College. While Texas A & M offers a higher average earning potential of $48,386 compared to Victoria's $42,382, its graduation rate is also significantly better at 48% versus Victoria's 27%. This indicates that while both are affordable, Texas A & M may provide more support for students to complete their degrees and secure higher-paying jobs.
After reviewing these 50 schools, it's essential to consider what matters most to you. Think about factors like the location of the school, specific programs that match your career goals, campus culture, and your financial situation. Weighing these elements against the data can help you make a more informed choice.
The data reflects a critical reality: a college degree can lead to improved earnings and stability. Each family faces a unique decision, and this information serves as a guide to navigate the options and choose a path that leads to a better future. For many, the choice of an affordable college can mean the difference between starting their career on solid ground or facing heavy debt.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Affordable Colleges in Texas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Texas ranking? +
Texas A & M International University in Laredo, TX ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in Texas ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $48,386 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 48% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
The University of Texas at San Antonio posts the highest median earnings on this list: $57,131 ten years after enrollment, well above the $41,251 average across the 49 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, College of the Mainland leads: graduates earn a median $39,639 against net price of about $1,342 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Western Texas College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 56%, compared with a 33% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $5,753 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. College of the Mainland is among the most affordable at roughly $1,342. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable Colleges in Texas ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
