2026 Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools in the Southwest Region
[English & Language Arts Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/english-language-arts-education/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for english & language arts education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english & language arts education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English & Language Arts Education Schools
Leading the list is New Mexico State University Main Campus, our #1 best value for english & language arts education in the Southwest Region. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $15,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $45,016. That is a strong return on a $15,112 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in english & language arts education will find it at Odessa College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $9,087. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Southeastern Oklahoma State University one of the best values for english & language arts education. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $18,660. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $51,797. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english & language arts education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $21,842. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $54,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Northwestern Oklahoma State University one of the best values for english & language arts education. Located in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,970, while out-of-state students pay about $11,664. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $22,438. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Northwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $46,196. Set against $22,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Northeastern State University landed the #6 spot for english & language arts education value this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the english & language arts education program here. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $47,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University landed the #7 spot for english & language arts education value this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $22,009 to complete the english & language arts education program here. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $49,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #8 position for value in english & language arts education this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. English & Language Arts Education graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $47,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,469 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,499 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $25,000. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $43,302. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt.
Southern Nazarene University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bethany. In-state tuition and fees average $31,190. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $29,684 in student loans. Early-career english & language arts education graduates make about $53,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Oklahoma placed #11 among the best values for english & language arts education. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $47,741. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.
Hardin Simmons University earned the #12 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,960. Students borrow a median of $27,709 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Hardin Simmons University generally make around $48,334. Set against $27,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Oklahoma City University landed the #13 spot for english & language arts education value this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,754 in tuition and fees. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Oklahoma City University generally make around $34,321. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oklahoma City University admits about 77% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $50,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Texas Lutheran University earned the #15 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Set in the town of Seguin, Texas Lutheran University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,230. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Texas Lutheran University generally make around $52,270. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Oklahoma Baptist University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. Oklahoma Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Shawnee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,570. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $21,250. English & Language Arts Education graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University earn a median of $44,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Abilene Christian University came in at #17 for value in english & language arts education this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,200. English & Language Arts Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $51,360. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Abilene Christian University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor landed the #18 spot for english & language arts education value this year. Set in the suburb of Belton, University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,300. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english & language arts education program here. English & Language Arts Education graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $52,133 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Dallas Baptist University earned the #19 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $22,819. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $56,814. That is a strong return on a $22,819 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University earned the #20 position for value in english & language arts education this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the english & language arts education program here. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $57,665. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Baylor University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value english & language arts education schools. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Typical student debt for english & language arts education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, english & language arts education degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $53,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
