Temple College is a community college in central Texas that does the job well. Transfer pathways to Baylor, Texas State, and UT are established. Programs in nursing, business, and arts/sciences are solid and affordable. You're in a college town (Belton, home to Mary Hardin-Baylor), which means some campus energy without Texas-sized tuition bills.
Student services are responsive, facilities are maintained, and the regional economy is stable. Lots of students use it as a launching pad for bachelor's degrees at larger schools.
Smart move if you're in central Texas, want to save money on your first two years, and know where you're transferring.