2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region
[Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching students.
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2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus the best value for a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching in the Southwest Region. Located in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,682 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $20,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western New Mexico University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #2 spot this year. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,855, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $48,366. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College one of the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the town of Miami, Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,213 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,363. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $15,568. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College earn a median of $46,400 early in their careers. Set against $15,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico Highlands University earned it the #4 place for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $18,375. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from New Mexico Highlands University generally make around $41,352. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt.
University Of Arizona came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. 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 kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $18,687. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $41,490 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $24,585. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $43,892. That is a strong return on a $24,585 median debt. Roughly 75% 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
