2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Our analysis ranked Central New Mexico Community College the best value for a degree in engineering in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,112. Engineering graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.

2

South Texas College
McAllen, TX

South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $6,868. Early-career engineering graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.

3

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,243 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

4

Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Amarillo College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,720. Early-career engineering graduates make about $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.

5

El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX

El Paso Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Austin Community College District
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District came in at #6 for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,375. Engineering graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $43,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Oklahoma City Community College
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City Community College came in at #7 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Tarrant County College District
Fort Worth, TX

Tarrant County College District ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering 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. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,148. Early-career engineering graduates make about $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Community College earned the #9 position for value in engineering this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,516. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Set against $16,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Mclennan Community College
Waco, TX

Mclennan Community College came in at #10 for value in engineering 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, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Houston Community College
Houston, TX

Houston Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,814 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $61,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,814 median debt.

12

Paris Junior College
Paris, TX

Paris Junior College landed the #12 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.

13

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $17,301 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $65,210 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,301 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

14

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American placed #14 among the best values for engineering. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,150. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $53,834. That is a strong return on a $14,150 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

15

San Jacinto Community College
Pasadena, TX

San Jacinto Community College landed the #15 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,376. Early-career engineering graduates make about $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.

16

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology
Socorro, NM

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Socorro. In-state tuition and fees average $9,476, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,007. Early-career engineering graduates make about $69,252. Set against $16,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

17

Collin County Community College District
McKinney, TX

Collin County Community College District landed the #17 spot for engineering 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, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.

18

Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System landed the #18 spot for engineering value this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,848. Early-career engineering graduates make about $39,954. Set against $15,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #19 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $63,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

20

Odessa College
Odessa, TX

Odessa College placed #20 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.

21

Arizona Western College
Yuma, AZ

Arizona Western College landed the #21 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.

22

Meridian Technology Center
Stillwater, OK

Meridian Technology Center earned the #22 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center is a small public university. Engineering graduates of Meridian Technology Center earn a median of $61,765 early in their careers.

23

Gordon Cooper Technology Center
Shawnee, OK

Gordon Cooper Technology Center came in at #23 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Shawnee, Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Gordon Cooper Technology Center generally make around $44,822.

24

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,045 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $68,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

25

Texas A And M University Kingsville
Kingsville, TX

Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #25 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,201 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $66,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,201 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.