2027 Best Value Education Schools in the Southwest Region
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 181 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
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2027 Best Value Education Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for education 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. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Tarrant County College District came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $24,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Mainland earned it the #3 place for education. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,928. Education graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Vista College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $22,352. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes El Centro College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Education graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Education graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $25,385 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Education graduates carry a median of $18,506 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $45,299. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College placed #7 among the best values for education. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Education graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Education graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University earned the #8 position for value in education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Education graduates carry a median of $17,940 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $56,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Palo Alto College placed #9 among the best values for education. Palo Alto College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,430. Early-career education graduates make about $29,062. That is a strong return on a $9,430 median debt.
South Texas College came in at #10 for value in education this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $16,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, compared with $4,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $7,750. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $10,576. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $10,375 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $21,184 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,375 median debt.
Grayson College landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
Houston Community College earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Education graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt.
Pima Community College landed the #15 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $16,411 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $42,823. That is a strong return on a $16,411 median debt.
El Paso Community College landed the #16 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $19,141. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College landed the #17 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,999. Education graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,999 median debt.
New Mexico State University Grants placed #18 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Grants, New Mexico State University Grants is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,272. Students borrow a median of $9,048 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of New Mexico State University Grants earn a median of $34,802 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #19 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $9,625 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $29,708. Set against $9,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #20 for value in education this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. 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 education graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $60,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Midland College placed #21 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $43,454. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Odessa College came in at #22 for value in education this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Education graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #23 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $17,785 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $46,430. Set against $17,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,074, compared with $9,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,157 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $42,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
Narrow Education Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 181 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 181 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.
