2026 Best Value Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies Schools in the Southwest Region

[Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies](/majors/health-care-professions/health-medical-preparatory-programs/pre-medicine-pre-medical-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for pre-medicine/pre-medical studies students.
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2026 Best Value Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in pre-medicine/pre-medical studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies Schools
Leading the list is San Juan College, our #1 best value for pre-medicine/pre-medical studies in the Southwest Region. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Pre-Medicine/pre-Medical Studies graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Early-career pre-medicine/pre-medical studies graduates make about $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-medicine/pre-medical studies schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,949 to complete the pre-medicine/pre-medical studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-medicine/pre-medical studies degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Set against $14,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pre-medicine/pre-medical studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Pre-Medicine/pre-Medical Studies graduates carry a median of $13,925 in student loans. Early-career pre-medicine/pre-medical studies graduates make about $39,212. That is a strong return on a $13,925 median debt.
Temple College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pre-medicine/pre-medical studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Typical student debt for pre-medicine/pre-medical studies graduates is $16,617. Early-career pre-medicine/pre-medical studies graduates make about $55,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pre-medicine/pre-medical studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, while out-of-state students pay about $5,157. Typical student debt for pre-medicine/pre-medical studies graduates is $13,788. Soon after graduation, pre-medicine/pre-medical studies degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Howard College came in at #6 for value in pre-medicine/pre-medical studies this year. Howard College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. In-state tuition and fees average $2,766, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,650 to complete the pre-medicine/pre-medical studies program here. Pre-Medicine/pre-Medical Studies graduates of Howard College earn a median of $18,922 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,650 median debt.
Rose State College placed #7 among the best values for pre-medicine/pre-medical studies. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,236 to complete the pre-medicine/pre-medical studies program here. Pre-Medicine/pre-Medical Studies graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $50,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value pre-medicine/pre-medical studies schools. Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,213, with out-of-state students paying around $11,363. Pre-Medicine/pre-Medical Studies graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Pre-Medicine/pre-Medical Studies graduates of Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College earn a median of $46,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt.
Arizona State University came in at #9 for value in pre-medicine/pre-medical studies this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $25,993 to complete the pre-medicine/pre-medical studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-medicine/pre-medical studies degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $36,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in pre-medicine/pre-medical studies this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the pre-medicine/pre-medical studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-medicine/pre-medical studies degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #11 spot for pre-medicine/pre-medical studies value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the pre-medicine/pre-medical studies program here. Soon after graduation, pre-medicine/pre-medical studies degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Lubbock Christian University came in at #12 for value in pre-medicine/pre-medical studies this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,540. Typical student debt for pre-medicine/pre-medical studies graduates is $27,250. Early-career pre-medicine/pre-medical studies graduates make about $49,072. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Lubbock Christian University admits about 73% of applicants.
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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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.