ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southwest Region

2 Colleges in the United States
$17,216 Avg Student Debt
$49,706 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Value Badge [Value](/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 3
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 15.17), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Electrical Lineworker)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Electrical Lineworker)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget

2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Value Schools

1

For return on investment in value, no school beat Central New Mexico Community College this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

2

A rank of #2 makes Texas State Technical College one of the best values for value. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $7,212 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $40,747. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,774, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee generally make around $52,354. That is a strong return on a $13,356 median debt.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Tech University earned it the #4 place for value. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,271. Value graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Tulsa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,546. Students borrow a median of $23,638 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Tulsa generally make around $66,166. That is a strong return on a $23,638 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.

ADBLOCK #101
6

Refrigeration School Inc earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Refrigeration School Inc is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $19,919 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Refrigeration School Inc earn a median of $51,772 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,919 median debt.

Narrow Value Schools by State

ADBLOCK #173
View All Value Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options