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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

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

9 Colleges in the United States
525 Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Degrees Awarded
$66,906 Avg Early-Career Salary

Higher Education/Higher Education Administration degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools to find the best for higher education/higher education administration students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Higher Education/Higher Education Administration in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall higher education/higher education administration education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration

1

Southern Methodist University tops our 2026 ranking of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $90,462. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete this degree. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at Southern Methodist University

2

Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in higher education/higher education administration, ranking #2. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 17 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $60,647. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete this degree. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Texas A And M University College Station

3

Texas Tech University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in higher education/higher education administration, ranking #3. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 35 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $64,027 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete this degree. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Texas Tech University

4

Arizona State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in higher education/higher education administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Arizona State University awarded about 22 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from Arizona State University earn around $59,901 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Arizona State University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Houston one of the top schools for higher education/higher education administration. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from University Of Houston earn around $72,797 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,255. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for University Of Houston

6

University Of North Texas came in at #6 for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from University Of North Texas earn around $77,414 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from University Of North Texas

7

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #7 for higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 93 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Pan American in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from The University Of Texas Pan American earn around $61,569 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,694. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for The University Of Texas Pan American

8

Baylor University earned the #8 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. About 13 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $42,780 early in their careers. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Baylor University

9

Grand Canyon University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. There were roughly 92 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Grand Canyon University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $76,596. Typical student debt for the program is $30,027. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at Grand Canyon University

10

University Of Arizona placed #10 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 25 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from University Of Arizona earn around $51,878 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at University Of Arizona

11

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #11 for higher education/higher education administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. About 55% of students finish within six years. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 15 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $72,264 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,659. Read more about the higher education/higher education administration program at Texas State University San Marcos

12

Abilene Christian University came in at #12 for higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Abilene Christian University graduates 59% of students within six years. About 18 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Abilene Christian University in the most recent year. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Abilene Christian University earn a median of $65,554 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in higher education/higher education administration from Abilene Christian University

13

The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #13 among the best higher education/higher education administration schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $71,435. Typical student debt for the program is $23,312. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for The University Of Texas At San Antonio

14

Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #14 spot for higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Texas A And M University Commerce graduates 43% of students within six years. About 41 higher education/higher education administration degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent year. Graduates of the higher education/higher education administration program make about $77,896 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,796. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Texas A And M University Commerce

15

Sam Houston State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Sam Houston State University awarded about 51 higher education/higher education administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their higher education/higher education administration degree from Sam Houston State University earn around $59,787 in the first couple years of their career. Sam Houston State University graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Get the full higher education/higher education administration details for Sam Houston State University

16

Northeastern State University earned the #16 position for higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Northeastern State University graduates 35% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 higher education/higher education administration students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $65,482. Northeastern State University graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. See the full higher education/higher education administration program report for Northeastern State University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 27 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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