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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Science Education Schools in the Southwest Region

10 Colleges in the United States
$23,874 Avg Student Debt
$56,028 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Science Education Badge [Science Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-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.

College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value science education schools.

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2026 Best Value Science Education Schools in the Southwest Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the science education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Science Education Schools

1
Odessa College crest
Odessa College
Odessa, TX

Odessa College tops our 2026 list of the best value science education schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #2 place for science education. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $21,842. Early-career science education graduates make about $54,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwestern Oklahoma State University earned it the #3 place for science education. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,664. Students borrow a median of $22,438 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science 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. Northwestern Oklahoma State University admits about 66% of applicants.

4

A rank of #4 makes Northeastern State University one of the best values for science education. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $26,000. Early-career science education graduates make about $47,025. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Arizona University earned it the #5 place for science education. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $22,009 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $49,856. Set against $22,009 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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6

Southwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #6 spot for science education value this year. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $25,000. Early-career science education graduates make about $43,302. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #7 among the best values for science education. 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, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $47,572. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Arizona earned the #8 position for value in science education this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $50,834. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

9

Southern Nazarene University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Located in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,190. Science Education graduates carry a median of $29,684 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Southern Nazarene University earn a median of $53,851 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,684 median debt.

10

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #10 for value in science education this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.

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11

University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $44,085. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

12

Texas Tech University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value science education schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $24,271. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

13

Hardin Simmons University placed #13 among the best values for science education. Set in the city of Abilene, Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,960. Students borrow a median of $27,709 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Hardin Simmons University earn a median of $48,334 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

14

Oklahoma Baptist University placed #14 among the best values for science education. Set in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,570. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $21,250. Science Education graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University earn a median of $47,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma Baptist University admits about 49% of applicants.

15

Abilene Christian University placed #15 among the best values for science education. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $44,200. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $56,463. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Dallas Baptist University earned the #16 position for value in science education this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Students borrow a median of $22,819 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $48,822 early in their careers. Set against $22,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants.

17

Texas Christian University earned the #17 position for value in science education this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $57,665. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.

18

Baylor University landed the #18 spot for science education value this year. 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 science education graduates is $27,000. Early-career science education graduates make about $49,888. 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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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