2026 Best Value Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Schools in the Southwest Region

[Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/homeland-security/crisis-emergency-disaster-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong crisis/emergency/disaster management education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for crisis/emergency/disaster management students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the crisis/emergency/disaster management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management Schools
Leading the list is The University Of Texas Pan American, our #1 best value for crisis/emergency/disaster management in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in crisis/emergency/disaster management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,779, compared with $9,564 for out-of-state students. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $18,726 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City generally make around $45,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in crisis/emergency/disaster management will find it at Rio Salado College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in crisis/emergency/disaster management will find it at Lone Star College System, which ranked #4. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Northeastern State University one of the best values for crisis/emergency/disaster management. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #6 spot for crisis/emergency/disaster management value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $17,293 in student loans. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $44,969 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Arizona State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $20,843 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $60,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
American Intercontinental University Online ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value crisis/emergency/disaster management schools. Set in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,397. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $39,107 in student loans. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from American Intercontinental University Online generally make around $43,008. Set against $39,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sam Houston State University earned the #9 position for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Early-career crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates make about $61,091. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
West Texas A And M University came in at #10 for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Students borrow a median of $22,333 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. Set against $22,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #11 among the best values for crisis/emergency/disaster management. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the crisis/emergency/disaster management program here. Crisis/emergency/disaster Management graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $66,287 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Grand Canyon University earned the #12 position for value in crisis/emergency/disaster management this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for crisis/emergency/disaster management graduates is $28,787. Soon after graduation, crisis/emergency/disaster management degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $68,503. That is a strong return on a $28,787 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.