2026 Best Value Project Management Schools in the Southwest Region
[Project Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/project-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for project management students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Project Management Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in project management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Project Management Schools
Our analysis ranked Central New Mexico Community College the best value for a degree in project management in the Southwest Region. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $12,737 to complete the project management program here. Early-career project management graduates make about $37,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tulsa Community College earned it the #2 place for project management. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Project Management graduates carry a median of $15,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, project management degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in project management, landing the #3 spot this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the project management program here. Project Management graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for project management. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Project Management graduates carry a median of $15,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, project management degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $73,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Arizona College one of the best values for project management. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, compared with $9,552 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $6,781. Project Management graduates of Eastern Arizona College earn a median of $40,304 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #6 position for value in project management this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Students borrow a median of $26,855 to complete the project management program here. Project Management graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $61,521 early in their careers. Set against $26,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #7 spot for project management value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Project Management graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Project Management graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $66,826 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas landed the #8 spot for project management value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Project Management graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career project management graduates make about $66,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value project management schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, project management degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northeast Technology Center System Office earned the #10 position for value in project management this year. Northeast Technology Center System Office is a small public school located in the town of Pryor. Early-career project management graduates make about $35,262.
Sam Houston State University came in at #11 for value in project management this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $18,350. Early-career project management graduates make about $67,119. Set against $18,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester placed #12 among the best values for project management. Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester is a mid-sized public school located in the town of McAlester. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $7,992. Early-career project management graduates make about $23,377. That is a strong return on a $7,992 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #13 spot for project management value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,627 to complete the project management program here. Project Management graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,814 early in their careers. Set against $14,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Southwest placed #14 among the best values for project management. Set in the town of Hobbs, University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,670. Project Management graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Project Management graduates of University Of The Southwest earn a median of $45,907 early in their careers. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of The Incarnate Word landed the #15 spot for project management value this year. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,090. Project Management graduates carry a median of $29,791 in student loans. Project Management graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $54,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,791 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Wayland Baptist University came in at #16 for value in project management this year. Set in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,782. Students borrow a median of $28,022 to complete the project management program here. Soon after graduation, project management degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $51,930. Set against $28,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayland Baptist University admits about 56% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University placed #17 among the best values for project management. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for project management graduates is $29,916. Soon after graduation, project management degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $81,249. Set against $29,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma Baptist University came in at #18 for value in project management this year. Located in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,570. Project Management graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Project Management graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University earn a median of $47,100 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Dallas Baptist University earned the #19 position for value in project management this year. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,190 in tuition and fees. Project Management graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, project management degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $48,822. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Project Management Schools by State
More Project Management Rankings
View All Project Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
