2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Southwest Region
[Value](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/communication-management-and-strategic-communications/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Northern Arizona University tops our 2027 list of the best value value schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,625 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $36,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Value graduates carry a median of $20,847 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $55,876. That is a strong return on a $20,847 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Lubbock Christian University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,540. Students borrow a median of $28,337 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Lubbock Christian University generally make around $49,072. Set against $28,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Oral Roberts University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,470. Value graduates carry a median of $28,022 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Oral Roberts University generally make around $41,180. That is a strong return on a $28,022 median debt. Oral Roberts University admits about 99% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
