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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Best Schools in the Southwest Region

9 Colleges in the United States
3,053 Best Degrees Awarded
$52,047 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best best schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Best in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall best education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in Best

1

The University Of Texas At Austin tops our 2026 ranking of the best best schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 208 best degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. See the full best program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Baylor University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 best students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $49,888. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Baylor University

3

The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 1,288 best degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from The University Of Texas At Dallas

4

Texas Christian University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fort Worth. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Texas Christian University awarded about 40 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Texas Christian University earn around $60,035 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,960. More information about a degree in best from Texas Christian University

5

University Of Houston came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Houston awarded about 149 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Read more about the best program at University Of Houston

6

The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #6 spot for best this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 158 best degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. Typical student debt for the program is $21,632. Get the full best details for The University Of Texas At Arlington

7

Northern Arizona University earned the #7 position for best this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 best degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Typical student debt for the program is $21,645. More information about a degree in best from Northern Arizona University

8

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 46 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from The University Of Texas At San Antonio

9

University Of North Texas placed #9 among the best best schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 428 best degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of North Texas earn around $49,157 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Get the full best details for University Of North Texas

10
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University landed the #10 spot for best this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. About 43% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 best students who graduated with this degree at Midwestern State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $49,638 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,415. Get the full best details for Midwestern State University

11

University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #11 position for best this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Texas At Dallas awarded about 13 best degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in best from University Of North Texas At Dallas

12

Texas A And M University Commerce placed #12 among the best best schools. This large public university is located in the town of Commerce. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. There were roughly 274 best students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Texas A And M University Commerce earn around $54,201 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Texas A And M University Commerce

13

University Of Houston Downtown ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This large public university is located in the city of Houston. About 33% of students finish within six years. About 70 best degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Downtown in the most recent year. Best graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $46,298 early in their careers. University Of Houston Downtown graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Read more about the best program at University Of Houston Downtown

14
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University came in at #14 for best this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. About 90 best degrees were awarded at Lamar University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Typical student debt for the program is $26,988. See the full best program report for Lamar University

15

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 best degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Best graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $47,456 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,659. Read more about the best program at Texas State University San Marcos

16
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 29 best degrees were awarded at Angelo State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $46,134 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,237. More information about a degree in best from Angelo State University

17

Texas Wesleyan University earned the #17 position for best this year. Texas Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Texas Wesleyan University graduates 32% of students within six years. Texas Wesleyan University awarded about 18 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $59,434 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,461. More information about a degree in best from Texas Wesleyan University

18

Northeastern State University came in at #18 for best this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Tahlequah. Northeastern State University graduates 35% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 best students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Northeastern State University earn around $49,353 in the first couple years of their career. Northeastern State University graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Get the full best details for Northeastern State University

19

The University Of Texas Pan American placed #19 among the best best schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates 51% of students within six years. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 59 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,694. More information about a degree in best from The University Of Texas Pan American

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 37 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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