2026 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
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M University Central Texas the best value for a degree in psychology in the Southwest Region. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,844. Psychology graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $34,531 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M International University one of the best values for psychology. 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. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,537. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $44,115. Set against $15,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Psychology graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $25,675 early in their careers. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvin Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Psychology graduates carry a median of $8,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $7,743. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $19,552. That is a strong return on a $7,743 median debt.
El Centro College earned the #6 position for value in psychology this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. 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.
Oklahoma City Community College placed #7 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, compared with $9,810 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,319. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College placed #8 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Psychology graduates carry a median of $5,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $20,644. Set against $5,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College placed #9 among the best values for psychology. 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. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #10 position for value in psychology 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $13,956 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $29,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #11 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $59,332. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #12 position for value in psychology this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The acceptance rate is 84%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in psychology this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $17,725 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $26,250. That is a strong return on a $17,725 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
San Juan College came in at #14 for value in psychology this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $19,223. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #16 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. 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.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #17 for value in psychology this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,435 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $46,418 early in their careers. Set against $13,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for psychology. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,074 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,054. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $20,050. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $19,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus admits about 92% of applicants.
Redlands Community College earned the #19 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,385, with out-of-state students paying around $7,951. Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,682 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Redlands Community College generally make around $45,166. That is a strong return on a $14,682 median debt.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #20 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,359. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $48,566. Set against $26,359 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Amarillo College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $18,503. Early-career psychology graduates make about $25,076. Set against $18,503 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #22 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,731. Early-career psychology graduates make about $46,009. That is a strong return on a $21,731 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
South Plains College ranked #23 on our 2026 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. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma earned the #24 position for value in psychology this year. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public school located in the town of Chickasha. Students from in state pay about $9,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,190 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates of University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma earn a median of $30,136 early in their careers. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
East Central University earned the #25 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
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
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 · 174 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 85 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.
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
