2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Southwest Region
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/curriculum-and-instruction/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 61 schools to find the best return on investment for curriculum & instruction students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the curriculum & instruction degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Texas A And M International University earned the #1 spot for value among curriculum & instruction schools in the Southwest Region. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $63,281 early in their careers. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for curriculum & instruction. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $59,119 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Southeastern Oklahoma State University one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. 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, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $51,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Houston Victoria one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at Texas Womans University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,211. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,611 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #6 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $59,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $59,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #8 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $21,100. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $51,252. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #9 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $61,205 early in their careers. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $19,026. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $53,028. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Northeastern State University earned the #11 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $56,535. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Houston came in at #12 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $62,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #13 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $67,360 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Texarkana came in at #14 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,349, compared with $24,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,270 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $54,039. Set against $25,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $20,959. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $55,485 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #16 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $21,817. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $64,223. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Angelo State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,237 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $55,539. Set against $21,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
New Mexico Highlands University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $18,900. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $57,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Arizona University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #20 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $63,597 early in their careers. Set against $23,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $21,632. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $61,737. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University earned the #22 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $57,928. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $22,337. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $50,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Mid America Christian University earned the #24 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oklahoma City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,294. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $37,852 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $43,010. That is a strong return on a $37,852 median debt. Mid America Christian University admits about 92% of applicants.
Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio landed the #25 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,106. Students borrow a median of $26,759 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio generally make around $49,489. That is a strong return on a $26,759 median debt.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in curriculum & instruction:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
