2026 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the educational administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Educational Administration Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among educational administration schools in the Southwest Region. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for educational administration. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $62,186. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for educational administration. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $61,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in educational administration will find it at University Of North Texas At Dallas, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #5 place for educational administration. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #6 for value in educational administration this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $63,808. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #7 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #8 position for value in educational administration this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $18,660. Educational Administration graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $55,281 early in their careers. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Western New Mexico University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Students borrow a median of $27,425 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #10 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $67,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University earned the #11 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $26,988. Educational Administration graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $73,704 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #12 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $71,435. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in educational administration this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $62,493. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #14 position for value in educational administration this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $77,896. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $19,819. Educational Administration graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $58,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
East Central University came in at #16 for value in educational administration this year. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Students borrow a median of $21,840 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of East Central University earn a median of $58,588 early in their careers. Set against $21,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
Midwestern State University earned the #17 position for value in educational administration this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $26,415. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $55,815. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Sul Ross State University placed #18 among the best values for educational administration. Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,592, while out-of-state students pay about $17,672. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $18,951. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Sul Ross State University generally make around $67,128. That is a strong return on a $18,951 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #19 spot for educational administration value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $59,901. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $72,797. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Cameron University placed #21 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the city of Lawton, Cameron University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,095, with out-of-state students paying around $16,515. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,967. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Cameron University generally make around $56,061. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #22 for value in educational administration this year. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $23,255. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $22,771. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $61,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville placed #23 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $25,531. Educational Administration graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $56,840 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Northeastern State University earned the #24 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $65,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $60,540. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Educational Administration Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s educational administration value ranking:
Narrow Educational Administration Schools by State
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 · 93 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
[Educational Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
