2026 Best Value Education Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for education in the Southwest Region. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Education graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.

2

College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Mainland earned it the #2 place for education. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #3. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,940. Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $59,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,940 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.

4

Northwest Vista College
San Antonio, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Vista College earned it the #4 place for education. Northwest Vista College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northwest Vista College generally make around $22,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,625. Early-career education graduates make about $29,708. Set against $9,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Palo Alto College
San Antonio, TX

Palo Alto College landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Palo Alto College is a large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,430. Early-career education graduates make about $29,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Brazosport College came in at #7 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.

8

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $16,902. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

9

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $25,385. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.

10

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Education graduates carry a median of $16,411 in student loans. Education graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $41,962 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,411 median debt.

11

Lamar State College Orange
Orange, TX

Lamar State College Orange came in at #11 for value in education this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Tarrant County College District
Fort Worth, TX

Tarrant County College District landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Education graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $24,507. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.

13

Alvin Community College
Alvin, TX

Alvin Community College placed #13 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Education graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Education graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $19,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX

San Antonio College came in at #15 for value in education this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Education graduates carry a median of $10,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $21,184. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,999. Early-career education graduates make about $39,848. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College landed the #17 spot for education value this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $25,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $44,618. Set against $25,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Education graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. Education graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.

19

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $17,785 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Trinity Valley Community College
Athens, TX

Trinity Valley Community College placed #20 among the best values for education. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,323 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $32,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

New Mexico State University Dona Ana
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned the #21 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $39,399. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Houston Community College
Houston, TX

Houston Community College came in at #22 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt.

23

Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Education graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $52,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Clovis Community College
Clovis, NM

Clovis Community College placed #24 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,592, with out-of-state students paying around $3,344. Education graduates carry a median of $11,082 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $44,390. That is a strong return on a $11,082 median debt.

25

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus
Roswell, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #25 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,256, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,110. Education graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.