2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in the Southwest Region
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 140 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Psychology Schools
For return on investment in psychology, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $34,531 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $14,557. Psychology graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. 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 $15,537 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $44,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,000. Psychology graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $60,490 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #5. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $8,858. Psychology graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $25,675 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College placed #6 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $7,743 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $19,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College landed the #7 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,400 in student loans. Psychology graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $20,644 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #8 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Psychology graduates carry a median of $12,319 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,679. That is a strong return on a $12,319 median debt.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Del Mar College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Psychology graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #11 among the best values for psychology. 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 psychology graduates is $10,058. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. That is a strong return on a $10,058 median debt.
Houston Community College landed the #12 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District earned the #13 position for value in psychology this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,956 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $29,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College placed #14 among the best values for psychology. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Students borrow a median of $18,503 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $25,076. Set against $18,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College came in at #15 for value in psychology this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,050 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $19,844. Set against $20,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma earned the #17 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Chickasha, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000, while out-of-state students pay about $20,190. Early-career psychology graduates make about $30,136. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #18 position for value in psychology this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $26,359 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $48,570. That is a strong return on a $26,359 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University earned the #19 position for value in psychology this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,134 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $61,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Odessa College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Plains College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Redlands Community College landed the #22 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,385, compared with $7,951 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $14,682. Early-career psychology graduates make about $45,166. That is a strong return on a $14,682 median debt.
East Central University earned the #23 position for value in psychology 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. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $37,655. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #24 for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $13,435. Psychology graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $46,279 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Alvin Community College placed #25 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $8,600. Psychology graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s psychology value ranking:
Narrow Psychology Schools by State
View All Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 140 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 140 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.
