2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Leading the list is Texas A And M International University, our #1 best value for value in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Value graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $42,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

2

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,694. Early-career value graduates make about $51,938. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of North Texas At Dallas, which ranked #3. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.

4

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,052. Value graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.

5

Rio Salado College
Tempe, AZ

Rio Salado College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the value program here. Value 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.

6

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University placed #6 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,988. Value graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Value graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,385. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

8

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,819. Value graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

9

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #9 for value in value this year. 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, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,842. Value graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,985 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

10

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston placed #10 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Value graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

11

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #11 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Value graduates carry a median of $45,656 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $60,204 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $45,656 median debt.

12

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Value graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $55,873 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

13

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University came in at #13 for value in value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

14

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $64,946 early in their careers. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona earned the #15 position for value in value 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,000. Value graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $44,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

16

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University earned the #16 position for value in value this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Value graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Value graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

17

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #17 for value in value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,418. Early-career value graduates make about $55,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

18

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #18 for value in value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,548 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $58,736. Set against $20,548 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

19

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #19 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Students borrow a median of $17,961 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $46,992 early in their careers. Set against $17,961 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.

20

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $61,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

21

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #21 for value in value 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, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,321 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $44,085. That is a strong return on a $23,321 median debt. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.

22

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University landed the #22 spot for value value this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Value graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

23

Texas Southern University
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Value graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $52,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Southern University admits about 97% of applicants.

24

Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University earned the #24 position for value in value this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,222. Early-career value graduates make about $67,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

25

Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University landed the #25 spot for value value this year. Located in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,782. Value graduates carry a median of $30,204 in student loans. Value graduates of Wayland Baptist University earn a median of $59,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.