2026 Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools in the Southwest Region

[Allied Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong allied health professions education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 194 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for allied health professions students.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Allied Health Professions Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BS in Health Sciences
Take your associate degree in an allied health field to the next level with this specialized transfer friendly online bachelor of science from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the allied health professions degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools
For return on investment in allied health professions, no school beat El Centro College this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $15,926. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $73,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in allied health professions will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #2. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $9,993 to complete the allied health professions program here. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $47,906. Set against $9,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in allied health professions will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. 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. Students borrow a median of $7,548 to complete the allied health professions program here. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $55,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community College Central City came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Central City is a small public institution. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $63,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #5 place for allied health professions. 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. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,833 in student loans. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $57,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College landed the #6 spot for allied health professions value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $11,875 in student loans. Allied Health Professions graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $58,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,875 median debt.
Alvin Community College earned the #7 position for value in allied health professions this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $8,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $59,760. That is a strong return on a $8,876 median debt.
Central Arizona College placed #8 among the best values for allied health professions. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $11,084. Allied Health Professions graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $60,754 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College placed #9 among the best values for allied health professions. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Allied Health Professions graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $52,431 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange landed the #10 spot for allied health professions value this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #11 spot for allied health professions value this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Allied Health Professions graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.
San Juan College earned the #12 position for value in allied health professions this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $48,862. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College came in at #13 for value in allied health professions this year. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,592, with out-of-state students paying around $3,344. Students borrow a median of $11,082 to complete the allied health professions program here. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $44,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #14 spot for allied health professions value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $12,323 in student loans. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $50,185. Set against $12,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College placed #15 among the best values for allied health professions. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Allied Health Professions 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.
Victoria College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Located in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,976 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,910 to complete the allied health professions program here. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $50,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $10,916. Allied Health Professions graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $40,554 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,916 median debt.
St Philips College earned the #18 position for value in allied health professions this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $11,950 in student loans. Allied Health Professions graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $49,898 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $12,812 to complete the allied health professions program here. Allied Health Professions graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $57,721 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Typical student debt for allied health professions graduates is $16,193. Early-career allied health professions graduates make about $49,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $9,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $56,196. Set against $9,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #22 position for value in allied health professions this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,759 to complete the allied health professions program here. Allied Health Professions graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $63,075 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College landed the #23 spot for allied health professions value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $12,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $50,839. That is a strong return on a $12,858 median debt.
Amarillo College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value allied health professions schools. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $53,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College came in at #25 for value in allied health professions this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Allied Health Professions graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, allied health professions degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Allied Health Professions Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s allied health professions value ranking:
Narrow Allied Health Professions Schools by State
More Allied Health Professions Rankings
View All Allied Health Professions Rankings >
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 · 194 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 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.