2025 Best Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southwest Region
It's not easy to decide which school to attend when you have so many options available. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Bachelor's Degree Colleges in the Southwest Region ranking is part of that endeavor.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Your Choice of School Matters
After analyzing 119 schools in the Southwest Region , we came up with our list of those that offered the best bachelor's degree programs. Our ranking methodology focuses on different objective factors to make this determination of the best schools. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.
Early-Career Earnings
Average early-career salary of those graduating with a bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue a degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.
Average Student Debt
In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that students take on while pursuing their bachelor's degree.
The average debt load at a particular school may not be bad, but it's an important thing to consider in conjunction with post-graduation earnings.
Other Ranking Factors in Our Methodology
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking.
Several other factors - such as how much the school spends on educational resources, the demand of the school, the availability of online learning options, and the student body caliber - go into our rankings.
We go into more detail on these factors on our best schools ranking methodology page.
Check Out These Other Rankings
If you'd rather work on your bachelor's degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our
rankings by place. Also, check out our other
college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Top Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southwest Region
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
13,536
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$52,726
Average Early-Career Earnings
$33,384
Average Student Debt
Our analysis found Texas A&M University - College Station to be the best school for bachelor’s degrees in the Southwest Region in this year’s ranking. Texas A&M College Station is located in College Station, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 13,536 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M College Station go into careers with an average salary of $52,726 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $33,384.
Learn More About Texas A&M University - College Station
10,374
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,395
Average Early-Career Earnings
$27,938
Average Student Debt
A rank of #2 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in the Southwest Region list means The University of Texas at Austin is a great place for students working on their degree. UT Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 10,374 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UT Austin make an average of $49,395 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $27,938 after getting their degree.
Full The University of Texas at Austin Report
1,235
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$73,694
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rice University. It ranked #3 on our 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 1,235 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $73,694 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Rice University
11,763
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$55,825
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,063
Average Student Debt
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. The school came in at #4 in the Southwest Region on this year’s best bachelor’s degree schools ranking. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 11,763 students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UOPX - Arizona make an average of $55,825 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $9,063 after getting their degree.
Learn More About University of Phoenix - Arizona
14,986
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$48,750
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,279
Average Student Debt
A rank of #5 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree in the Southwest Region list means Arizona State University - Tempe is a great place for students working on their degree. ASU - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 14,986 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from ASU - Tempe go into careers with an average salary of $48,750 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $26,279.
Learn More About Arizona State University - Tempe
2,091
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$53,877
Average Early-Career Earnings
$55,267
Average Student Debt
Southern Methodist University landed the #6 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. SMU is located in Dallas, Texas and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,091 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from SMU make an average of $53,877 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $55,267.
Learn More About Southern Methodist University
8,003
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,355
Average Early-Career Earnings
$36,345
Average Student Debt
University of Arizona came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Tucson, Arizona, the large public school handed out 8,003 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from University of Arizona make an average of $44,355 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $36,345 in student loans.
Full University of Arizona Report
2,529
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$53,574
Average Early-Career Earnings
$60,734
Average Student Debt
Texas Christian University landed the #8 spot on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Fort Worth, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,529 students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from TCU go into careers with an average salary of $53,574 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $60,734 in student loans.
Full Texas Christian University Report
14,092
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$44,899
Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,882
Average Student Debt
Grand Canyon University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the large private for-profit school awarded 14,092 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Grand Canyon University make an average of $44,899 a year. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $14,882 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Grand Canyon University
6,886
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,891
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,099
Average Student Debt
Texas Tech University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This large public school is located in Lubbock, Texas, and it awarded 6,886 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech make an average of $46,891 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,099 in student loans.
Full Texas Tech University Report
3,698
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$45,286
Average Early-Career Earnings
$69,360
Average Student Debt
Baylor University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #11. Baylor is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waco, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,698 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from Baylor go into careers with an average salary of $45,286 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $69,360 in student loans.
Full Baylor University Report
4,757
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,351
Average Early-Career Earnings
$43,889
Average Student Debt
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #12. This large public school is located in Norman, Oklahoma, and it awarded 4,757 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from University of Oklahoma make an average of $49,351 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $43,889 after getting their degree.
Learn More About University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
4,995
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$45,288
Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,546
Average Student Debt
The University of Texas at Dallas ranked #13 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. The University of Texas at Dallas is a large public school located in Richardson, Texas that handed out 4,995 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UT Dallas make an average of $45,288 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $25,546 after getting their degree.
Read full report on The University of Texas at Dallas
5,990
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,472
Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,025
Average Student Debt
Northern Arizona University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. This large public school is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, and it awarded 5,990 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from NAU make an average of $42,472 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $26,025 in student loans.
Read full report on Northern Arizona University
7,937
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$43,154
Average Early-Career Earnings
$23,540
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #15, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Denton, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 7,937 students in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UNT is $43,154 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $23,540.
Learn More About University of North Texas
8,415
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$47,130
Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,429
Average Student Debt
The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #16. This large public school is located in Arlington, Texas, and it awarded 8,415 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UT Arlington go into careers with an average salary of $47,130 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $12,429 after getting their degree.
Read full report on The University of Texas at Arlington
8,187
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,475
Average Early-Career Earnings
$23,405
Average Student Debt
Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Arizona State University - Skysong is a large public school located in Scottsdale, Arizona that handed out 8,187 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from ASU - Skysong is $46,475 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $23,405.
Read full report on Arizona State University - Skysong
4,858
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$46,603
Average Early-Career Earnings
$36,722
Average Student Debt
Oklahoma State University - Main Campus came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Stillwater, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 4,858 students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $46,603 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $36,722 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Oklahoma State University - Main Campus
7,360
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,915
Average Early-Career Earnings
$23,206
Average Student Debt
Texas State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in San Marcos, Texas, the large public school awarded 7,360 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, bachelor’s degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $42,915 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $23,206.
Full Texas State University Report
8,140
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$49,388
Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,883
Average Student Debt
University of Houston did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #20. This large public school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 8,140 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UH is $49,388 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $17,883 in student loans.
Full University of Houston Report
475
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$33,266
Average Early-Career Earnings
$58,797
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #21, Oklahoma City University did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. OCU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 475 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from OCU go into careers with an average salary of $33,266 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $58,797.
Learn More About Oklahoma City University
542
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$59,514
Average Early-Career Earnings
$60,947
Average Student Debt
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Prescott, Arizona, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 542 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, bachelor’s degree graduates from Embry-Riddle Prescott make an average of $59,514 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $60,947.
Full Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott Report
4,237
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$41,237
Average Early-Career Earnings
$19,324
Average Student Debt
Sam Houston State University did quite well in the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #23. SHSU is located in Huntsville, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,237 bachelor’s degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from SHSU is $41,237 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by bachelor’s students is $19,324.
Learn More About Sam Houston State University
3,601
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$38,840
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,315
Average Student Debt
University of New Mexico - Main Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the large public school awarded 3,601 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree from UNM make an average of $38,840 per year during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students leave the school with an average of $11,315 in student loans.
Learn More About University of New Mexico - Main Campus
6,056
Bachelor's Degrees Awarded
$42,569
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,679
Average Student Debt
With a ranking of #25, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2025 Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. UTSA is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 6,056 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a bachelor’s degree from UTSA go into careers with an average salary of $42,569 during the early years of their career. Bachelor’s students carry an average student debt load of about $13,679 after getting their degree.
Learn More About The University of Texas at San Antonio
