2027 Best Value Urban & Regional Planning Schools in the Southwest Region
[Urban & Regional Planning](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/urban-and-regional-planning/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for urban & regional planning students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Urban & Regional Planning Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the urban & regional planning degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Urban & Regional Planning Schools
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #1 spot for value among urban & regional planning schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $49,955. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Prairie View A And M University earned it the #2 place for urban & regional planning. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $29,824. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $53,784. That is a strong return on a $29,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
A rank of #3 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for urban & regional planning. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $27,009 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $52,150. That is a strong return on a $27,009 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Texas earned it the #4 place for urban & regional planning. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $21,817. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value urban & regional planning schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $19,738. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $49,983. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #6 spot for urban & regional planning value this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $40,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #7 among the best values for urban & regional planning. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University placed #8 among the best values for urban & regional planning. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for urban & regional planning graduates is $24,271. Urban & Regional Planning graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #9 position for value in urban & regional planning this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Urban & Regional Planning graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, urban & regional planning degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $64,191. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #10 spot for urban & regional planning value this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the urban & regional planning program here. Early-career urban & regional planning graduates make about $50,580. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
