2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in the Southwest Region
[Teacher Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/teacher-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong teacher education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 56 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value teacher education schools.
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2026 Best Value Teacher Education Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in teacher education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Teacher Education Schools
Leading the list is Texas A And M International University, our #1 best value for teacher education in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Students looking for strong value in teacher education will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. 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 teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $29,708 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Lamar State College Orange one of the best values for teacher education. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #4 place for teacher education. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $12,500. Teacher Education graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $25,385 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palo Alto College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Palo Alto College is a large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $9,430 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Palo Alto College earn a median of $29,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College earned the #6 position for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $19,141. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College landed the #7 spot for teacher education value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $10,375. Teacher Education graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $21,184 early in their careers. Set against $10,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher 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.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #9 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $10,576 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $15,653. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College placed #11 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $43,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College earned the #12 position for value in teacher education this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Students borrow a median of $11,598 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $40,499. That is a strong return on a $11,598 median debt.
Houston Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $16,250 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $40,365. Set against $16,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Teacher Education graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earn a median of $49,087 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Paris Junior College placed #15 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,700, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
Vernon College placed #16 among the best values for teacher education. Set in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,720, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $12,513 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $45,097. That is a strong return on a $12,513 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #17 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $19,581. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Lee College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value teacher education schools. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College placed #19 among the best values for teacher education. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the teacher education program here. Teacher Education graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Panola College placed #20 among the best values for teacher education. Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,072 ten years after entry.
Western New Mexico University came in at #21 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Typical student debt for teacher education graduates is $27,425. Teacher Education graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Texas Community College came in at #22 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the rural area of Mount Pleasant, Northeast Texas Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,980, while out-of-state students pay about $5,620. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $15,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Northeast Texas Community College generally make around $37,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Angelina College came in at #23 for value in teacher education this year. Set in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,430, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Teacher Education graduates carry a median of $7,828 in student loans. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $50,767. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
Tyler Junior College came in at #24 for value in teacher education this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the teacher education program here. Early-career teacher education graduates make about $43,348. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College earned the #25 position for value in teacher education this year. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the teacher education program here. Soon after graduation, teacher education degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Teacher Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s teacher education value ranking:
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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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
