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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southwest Region

4 Colleges in the United States
$24,291 Avg Student Debt
$51,421 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Value Badge [Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cyber-computer-forensics-and-counterterrorism/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southwest Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Value Schools

1
Rose State College crest
Rose State College
Midwest City, OK

For return on investment in value, no school beat Rose State College this year. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $11,407. Students borrow a median of $10,286 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Rose State College generally make around $58,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Northeastern State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,465. Early-career value graduates make about $49,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.

3

University Of Phoenix Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Typical student debt for value graduates is $35,323. Value graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $60,453 early in their careers. Set against $35,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Value graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

5

University Of Central Oklahoma is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Students borrow a median of $23,350 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $38,710. Set against $23,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.

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6

University Of The Incarnate Word placed #6 among the best values for value. Set in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,090. Students borrow a median of $28,028 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $51,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Incarnate Word admits about 98% of applicants.

7

University Of Advancing Technology landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,800. Students borrow a median of $29,802 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Advancing Technology generally make around $40,489. Set against $29,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Advancing Technology admits about 98% of applicants.

8

Grand Canyon University came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Value graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $37,481 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

9

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,974. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,500. Value graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earn a median of $74,905 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott admits about 77% of applicants.

Narrow Value Schools by State

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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