2026 Best Value Computational & Applied Mathematics Schools in the Southwest Region

[Computational & Applied Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/applied-mathematics/computational-and-applied-mathematics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for computational & applied mathematics students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Computational & Applied Mathematics Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computational & applied mathematics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computational & Applied Mathematics Schools
Our analysis ranked Rice University the best value for a degree in computational & applied mathematics in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for computational & applied mathematics graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, computational & applied mathematics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in computational & applied mathematics will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #2. 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. Students borrow a median of $17,681 to complete the computational & applied mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, computational & applied mathematics degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. That is a strong return on a $17,681 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in computational & applied mathematics will find it at Southern Methodist University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Typical student debt for computational & applied mathematics graduates is $20,712. Computational & Applied Mathematics graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $80,690 early in their careers. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.