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2022 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

16 Ranked Colleges
1,595 Degrees Awarded
$12,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 13,610 people earned their degree in chemical engineering, making the major the 66th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, chemical engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $62,963 and had an average of $22,564 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southwest region, there were 1,595 chemical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $62,888 and $21,468 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer a degree in chemical engineering. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality chemical engineering programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the chemical engineering program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Chemical Engineering Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Chemical Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Rice University landed the #1 spot on the list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s chem eng degrees to 55 students in 2019-2020.

Rice did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Rice University is $7,534 for southwest region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Rice University Chemical Engineering Report

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #2 spot on the list. Texas A&M University - College Station is a large school located in College Station, Texas that handed out 273 ’s chem eng degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k list, Texas A&M College Station has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M University - College Station is $13,270 for southwest region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Chemical Engineering Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at Austin. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UT Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 225 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin also took the #1 spot in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,575 for southwest region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Texas at Austin.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full The University of Texas at Austin Chemical Engineering Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oklahoma State University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. OSU is a large school located in Stillwater, Oklahoma that handed out 67 ’s chem eng degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $9,962 for Southwest Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend OSU.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at OSU

#5

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Tech University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school handed out 118 degrees to qualified ’s chem eng students in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech also took the #6 spot in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech is $13,326 for Southwest Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Texas Tech Chemical Engineering Report

With a ranking of #6, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 198 ’s chem eng degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k list, ASU - Tempe has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $8,921 for southwest region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Chemical Engineering Report

#7

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 108 ’s chem eng degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also made our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $9,925 for Southwest Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Houston.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at University of Houston

#8

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lamar University is a public institution located in Beaumont, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 57 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k list, Lamar University has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lamar University is $10,631 for southwest region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Lamar University Chemical Engineering Report

#9

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

With a ranking of #9, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 93 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $11,466 for Southwest Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Arizona.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Arizona Chemical Engineering Report

With a ranking of #10, New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. NMSU Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico that handed out 43 ’s chem eng degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend New Mexico State University - Main Campus is $7,006 for southwest region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full NMSU Main Campus Chemical Engineering Report

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. New Mexico Tech is a public institution located in Socorro, New Mexico. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at New Mexico Tech, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is $12,297 for southwest region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full New Mexico Tech Chemical Engineering Report

Texas A&M University - Kingsville came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Kingsville, Texas, and it awarded 76 ’s chem eng degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Kingsville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $11,721 for southwest region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas A&M University - Kingsville.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M Kingsville

#13

Prairie View A & M University

Prairie View, Texas

Prairie View A & M University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Prairie View A & M University is a public institution located in Prairie View, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

PVAMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $13,098 for Southwest Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Prairie View A & M University.

Full Prairie View A & M University Chemical Engineering Report

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. University of Oklahoma is a large school located in Norman, Oklahoma that handed out 104 ’s chem eng degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region chem eng students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Oklahoma has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is $17,285 for Southwest Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Chemical Engineering Report

#15

University of Tulsa

Tulsa, Oklahoma

University of Tulsa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. University of Tulsa is a small school located in Tulsa, Oklahoma that handed out 42 ’s chem eng degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Tulsa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Tulsa is $16,983 for Southwest Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Chemical Engineering at University of Tulsa

#16

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Chem Eng Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. UNM is a public institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school has a large population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNM, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Chemical Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of New Mexico - Main Campus is $14,458 for Southwest Region Chem Eng students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UNM Chemical Engineering Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Mikulova.

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