2027 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Southwest Region
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for curriculum & instruction students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in curriculum & instruction, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M International University the best value for a degree in curriculum & instruction in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $63,281. That is a strong return on a $15,095 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for curriculum & instruction. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $59,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at University Of Houston Victoria, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned it the #4 place for curriculum & instruction. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. 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. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a great value for students pursuing a degree in curriculum & instruction, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $59,223 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Texas Womans University came in at #6 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $54,611. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #7 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,796. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $61,205. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University earned the #8 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $56,535. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #9 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $21,632. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $61,737. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #10 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $20,959. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $55,485. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #11 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $35,323. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $67,360 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,323 median debt.
University Of Houston earned the #12 position 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. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $62,100 early in their careers. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #13 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $42,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
New Mexico Highlands University came in at #14 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $18,900 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from New Mexico Highlands University generally make around $57,281. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas placed #15 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $64,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Angelo State University earned the #16 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $55,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University earned the #17 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $57,928 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $50,206. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Texas Tech University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $68,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Mid America Christian University earned the #20 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,294 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $37,852. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $43,010. Set against $37,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Southwest ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. University Of The Southwest is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hobbs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,670. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,162. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of The Southwest generally make around $45,907. That is a strong return on a $26,162 median debt.
University Of Central Oklahoma ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,321. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. Set against $23,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #23 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $21,275. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $66,260. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Wayland Baptist University came in at #24 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,782. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $30,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $55,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $70,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for curriculum & instruction this year:
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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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
