2027 Best Value Real Estate Schools in the Southwest Region
[Real Estate](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/real-estate/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for real estate students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Real Estate Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in real estate, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Real Estate Schools
Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for real estate in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,063 to complete the real estate program here. Real Estate graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $34,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #2 place for real estate. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the real estate program here. Real Estate graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $36,939 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in real estate, landing the #3 spot this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $15,003 in student loans. Early-career real estate graduates make about $45,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in real estate will find it at San Antonio College, which ranked #4. San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $11,839. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in real estate will find it at Mclennan Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $7,496 in student loans. Real Estate graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College landed the #6 spot for real estate value this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career real estate graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
South Plains College placed #7 among the best values for real estate. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the real estate program here. Early-career real estate graduates make about $30,949. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Houston Community College earned the #8 position for value in real estate this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,743 to complete the real estate program here. Early-career real estate graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Collin County Community College District ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value real estate schools. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the real estate program here. Early-career real estate graduates make about $42,177. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Angelina College came in at #10 for value in real estate this year. Set in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,430, with out-of-state students paying around $6,490. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $7,828 in student loans. Early-career real estate graduates make about $50,767. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
Tyler Junior College came in at #11 for value in real estate this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Real Estate graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa Community College earned the #12 position for value in real estate this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #13 for value in real estate this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $21,485 in student loans. Early-career real estate graduates make about $41,965. Set against $21,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Cisco College came in at #14 for value in real estate this year. Set in the rural area of Cisco, Cisco College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,710, compared with $7,140 for out-of-state students. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Real Estate graduates of Cisco College earn a median of $17,820 early in their careers. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blinn College earned the #15 position for value in real estate this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the real estate program here. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #16 for value in real estate this year. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the real estate program here. Real Estate graduates of San Jacinto Community College earn a median of $38,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value real estate schools. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $13,084. Real Estate graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #18 position for value in real estate this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the real estate program here. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #19 for value in real estate this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Real Estate graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #20 among the best values for real estate. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $15,251 in student loans. Early-career real estate graduates make about $44,124. Set against $15,251 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for real estate value this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the real estate program here. Real Estate graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Texas Tech University came in at #22 for value in real estate this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $24,271. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #23 spot for real estate value this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $20,031. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $82,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Texas Christian University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value real estate schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $24,282 in student loans. Real Estate graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $68,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University landed the #25 spot for real estate value this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Real Estate graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $113,369 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
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
