2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the Southwest Region

1

College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland tops our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $10,928. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,625 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $29,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

Students looking for strong value in secondary education will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $16,902 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

A rank of #4 makes Brazosport College one of the best values for secondary education. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $18,417 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $37,485 early in their careers. Set against $18,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Tarrant County College District
Fort Worth, TX

Tarrant County College District came in at #6 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $9,750. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $24,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $12,500. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $25,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College earned the #8 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $25,150 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $44,618. Set against $25,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Alvin Community College
Alvin, TX

Alvin Community College landed the #9 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $55,057. That is a strong return on a $8,600 median debt.

10

San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX

San Antonio College placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $10,375. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. That is a strong return on a $10,375 median debt.

11

Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College placed #11 among the best values for secondary education. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $17,785. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $46,430. That is a strong return on a $17,785 median debt.

13

The University Of Texas At Brownsville
Brownsville, TX

The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned the #13 position for value in secondary education this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $10,576. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $41,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

15

Collin County Community College District
McKinney, TX

Collin County Community College District landed the #15 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $9,125. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Northern New Mexico College
Espanola, NM

Northern New Mexico College earned the #16 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,064, compared with $14,328 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,112 ten years after entry.

17

San Jacinto Community College
Pasadena, TX

San Jacinto Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $19,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for secondary education value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,705 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,888. That is a strong return on a $24,705 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

19

North Central Texas College
Gainesville, TX

North Central Texas College placed #19 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,352 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $43,536 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Western New Mexico University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Vernon College
Vernon, TX

Vernon College landed the #21 spot for secondary education value this year. Vernon College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Vernon. In-state tuition and fees average $3,720, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $12,513 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Panola College
Carthage, TX

Panola College landed the #22 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,072.

23

Temple College
Temple, TX

Temple College came in at #23 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $16,617. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Rio Salado College
Tempe, AZ

Rio Salado College came in at #24 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Howard College
Big Spring, TX

Howard College earned the #25 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $14,242 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $41,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.