DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
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
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,432. Early-career value graduates make about $23,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Phoenix College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa Community College earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Value graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Scottsdale Community College earned it the #4 place for value. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College generally make around $48,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Value graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Value graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $59,230 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #6 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Value graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,350 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $38,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Texas Tech University came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Value graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $38,792. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
St Marys University came in at #10 for value in value this year. St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,434. Students borrow a median of $25,040 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $42,786. That is a strong return on a $25,040 median debt. St Marys University admits about 98% of applicants.
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
