2026 Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools in the Southwest Region
[Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/emergency-medical-technology-technician-emt-paramedic/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 96 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools.
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2026 Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic), balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools
South Texas College tops our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools in the Southwest Region. 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, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $7,548 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $55,553. Set against $7,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $15,926 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $73,102. That is a strong return on a $15,926 median debt.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic), landing the #3 spot this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $9,993 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $47,906. That is a strong return on a $9,993 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #4. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,833 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $57,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Gateway Community College Central City one of the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Gateway Community College Central City is a small public school located in the city of Phoenix. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $18,125. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Gateway Community College Central City earn a median of $63,579 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 emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $11,875. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $58,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College landed the #7 spot for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) value this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $8,876 in student loans. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $59,760. That is a strong return on a $8,876 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned the #9 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College placed #10 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $7,000. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $52,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinity Valley Community College came in at #11 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $12,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $50,185. That is a strong return on a $12,323 median debt.
Central Arizona College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $11,084. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $60,754. That is a strong return on a $11,084 median debt.
San Juan College earned the #13 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $16,150. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $48,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victoria College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Victoria College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $10,910 in student loans. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $50,201. That is a strong return on a $10,910 median debt.
Grayson College landed the #15 spot for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) value this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $55,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $10,916 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $40,554. Set against $10,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana placed #17 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $9,995 in student loans. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $56,196. That is a strong return on a $9,995 median debt.
Oklahoma City Community College placed #18 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $16,193. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $49,282. Set against $16,193 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District landed the #19 spot for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) value this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $12,812. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $57,721. Set against $12,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laredo Community College placed #20 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $46,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Austin Community College District placed #21 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,759 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $63,075. Set against $14,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College earned the #22 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College came in at #23 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $11,839. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pontotoc Technology Center came in at #24 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Set in the rural area of Ada, Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Pontotoc Technology Center generally make around $44,846.
Amarillo College placed #25 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $15,750. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $53,099. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic):
Narrow Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools by State
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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 · 96 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
