2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University earned the #1 spot for value among elementary education schools in the Southwest Region. 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, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

2

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,625 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $29,708 early in their careers. Set against $9,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Brazosport College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $6,625. Elementary Education graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

A rank of #4 makes Pima Community College one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $37,485. Set against $18,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

San Juan College
Farmington, NM

Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at San Juan College, which ranked #5. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Students borrow a median of $25,150 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,618. That is a strong return on a $25,150 median debt.

6

Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $8,999. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $39,848. That is a strong return on a $8,999 median debt.

7

Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $14,087. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.

8

Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ

Cochise College placed #8 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. Set against $12,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in elementary education this year. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Portales. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $41,896. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

10

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for elementary education value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,705. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,888. Set against $24,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.

11

Central Arizona College
Coolidge, AZ

Central Arizona College landed the #11 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus
Roswell, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned the #12 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Western New Mexico University landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,855, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt.

14

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #14 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $47,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.

15

Northern New Mexico College
Espanola, NM

Northern New Mexico College earned the #15 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,064, with out-of-state students paying around $14,328. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,112.

16

Northern Oklahoma College
Tonkawa, OK

Northern Oklahoma College landed the #16 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,083, while out-of-state students pay about $11,848. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,811. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Northern Oklahoma College generally make around $40,565. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Carl Albert State College
Poteau, OK

Carl Albert State College earned the #17 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Poteau, Carl Albert State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $8,708. Students borrow a median of $10,583 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Carl Albert State College generally make around $33,109. That is a strong return on a $10,583 median debt.

18

Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Goodwell, OK

Oklahoma Panhandle State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Goodwell. Students from in state pay about $8,092 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,675. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,249. Elementary Education graduates of Oklahoma Panhandle State University earn a median of $53,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,249 median debt.

19

Texarkana College
Texarkana, TX

Texarkana College came in at #19 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texarkana College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,476, with out-of-state students paying around $5,332. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $11,686 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Texarkana College earn a median of $33,707 early in their careers. Set against $11,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Rio Salado College
Tempe, AZ

Rio Salado College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $13,679. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,564. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.

21

Arizona Western College
Yuma, AZ

Arizona Western College came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,895.

22

Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,851 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $15,185. Elementary Education graduates of Santa Fe Community College earn a median of $43,305 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,185 median debt.

23

University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma
Chickasha, OK

University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public school located in the town of Chickasha. Students from in state pay about $9,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,190. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,848. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma admits about 66% of applicants.

24

Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University earned the #24 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,415. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $49,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.

25

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University landed the #25 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,395. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.