2026 Best Value Applied Psychology Schools in the Southwest Region
[Applied Psychology](/majors/psychology/clinical-counseling-applied-psychology/applied-psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value applied psychology schools.
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2026 Best Value Applied Psychology Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the applied psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Applied Psychology Schools
Leading the list is Lamar University, our #1 best value for applied psychology in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the applied psychology program here. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $61,726. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Angelo State University earned it the #2 place for applied psychology. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $21,237. Applied Psychology graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $45,229 early in their careers. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Phoenix Arizona one of the best values for applied psychology. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $40,687. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $62,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #4 place for applied psychology. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $21,842. Early-career applied psychology graduates make about $69,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of St Thomas Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,634. Typical student debt for applied psychology graduates is $23,628. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $58,265. Set against $23,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Tarleton State University earned the #6 position for value in applied psychology this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. Applied Psychology graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $43,238 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott landed the #7 spot for applied psychology value this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,974 in tuition and fees. Applied Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied psychology degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott generally make around $41,456. That is a strong return on a $24,620 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 10 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.
