2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Central New Mexico Community College the best value for a degree in engineering in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,112. Engineering graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $6,868. Early-career engineering graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,243 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Amarillo College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,720. Early-career engineering graduates make about $41,053. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
El Paso Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #6 for value in engineering 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. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,375. Engineering graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $43,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #7 for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,148. Early-career engineering graduates make about $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College earned the #9 position for value in engineering this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,792, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,516. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Set against $16,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College came in at #10 for value in engineering this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,814 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $61,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,814 median debt.
Paris Junior College landed the #12 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $17,301 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $65,210 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,301 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #14 among the best values for engineering. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $14,150. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $53,834. That is a strong return on a $14,150 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #15 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,376. Early-career engineering graduates make about $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Socorro. In-state tuition and fees average $9,476, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,007. Early-career engineering graduates make about $69,252. Set against $16,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Collin County Community College District landed the #17 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $42,177. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
Lone Star College System landed the #18 spot for engineering value this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $15,848. Early-career engineering graduates make about $39,954. Set against $15,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #19 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $63,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Odessa College placed #20 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
Arizona Western College landed the #21 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Meridian Technology Center earned the #22 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Meridian Technology Center is a small public university. Engineering graduates of Meridian Technology Center earn a median of $61,765 early in their careers.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center came in at #23 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Shawnee, Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Gordon Cooper Technology Center generally make around $44,822.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,045 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $68,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #25 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,201 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $66,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,201 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering value ranking:
Narrow Engineering Schools by State
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 · 159 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong engineering education at a price that pays off.
