2026 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in the Southwest Region

[Reading Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/reading-teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong reading teacher education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value reading teacher education schools.
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2026 Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in reading teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Reading Teacher Education Schools
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #1 spot for value among reading teacher education schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $69,841. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin one of the best values for reading teacher education. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in reading teacher education will find it at Texas Womans University, which ranked #3. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $54,611. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in reading teacher education, landing the #4 spot this year. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alva. Students from in state pay about $5,970 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,664 for out-of-state students. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $22,438 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Northwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $46,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in reading teacher education will find it at Northeastern State University, which ranked #5. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $47,025. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Northern Arizona University earned the #6 position for value in reading teacher education this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $22,009. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $49,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #7 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $58,032. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Prairie View A And M University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the reading teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $53,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #9 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $25,340. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $47,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #10 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $23,659. Reading Teacher Education graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $58,110 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #11 spot for reading teacher education value this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Reading Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $47,741. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for reading teacher education graduates is $24,271. Soon after graduation, reading teacher education degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $53,147. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Grand Canyon University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value reading teacher education schools. 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 reading teacher education graduates is $25,250. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $50,370. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Dallas Baptist University landed the #14 spot for reading teacher education value 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 reading teacher education program here. Early-career reading teacher education graduates make about $56,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 29 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.