One Dallas university makes the grade as a top college for the value UT Dallas is a class act, according to the new ranking. The average student loan debt in Texas approaches $33,000. So, it’s no wonder Texas students and parents diligently shop around for the colleges delivering the biggest bang for the buck. By one measure, the University of Texas at Dallas offers one of the best values among public colleges in the Lone Star State. In ranking released April 20, The Princeton Review declares UT Dallas the 40th best value among public colleges in the U.S. It was the only Dallas-Fort Worth university to make either list of top 50 public or private schools.