2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,160. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.

2

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $61,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

3

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $71,435. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

4

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

A rank of #4 makes Texas A And M University Commerce one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $77,896. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $59,901. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $19,026. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $62,493. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston earned the #7 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $21,255. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $72,797. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.

8

Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University placed #8 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $65,482. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

9

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #9 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $68,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas came in at #10 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $77,414. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

11

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona placed #11 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $51,878 early in their careers. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

12

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $51,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.

13

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University landed the #13 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $24,850. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $59,787. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.

14

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos landed the #14 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,659. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $72,264. That is a strong return on a $23,659 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

15

Houston Baptist University
Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University landed the #15 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $39,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $25,601. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $63,989. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.

16

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University landed the #16 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $64,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

17

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #17 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $60,647. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

18

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University placed #18 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $30,027 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $76,596. That is a strong return on a $30,027 median debt. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.

19

Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University placed #19 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,200. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $65,554 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

20

University Of Mary Hardin Baylor
Belton, TX

University Of Mary Hardin Baylor landed the #20 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,300. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $26,782. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $59,942 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,782 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

21

Dallas Baptist University
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University earned the #21 position for value in higher education/higher education administration 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. Students borrow a median of $22,819 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $83,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants.

22

Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University earned the #22 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $64,030 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.

23

Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University came in at #23 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $90,462. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.

24

Baylor University
Waco, TX

Baylor University came in at #24 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $42,780. Set against $23,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.