2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Southwest Region
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong curriculum & instruction education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 61 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for curriculum & instruction students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $15,095. 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. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in curriculum & instruction, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $59,119. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in curriculum & instruction, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $18,660. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $51,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at University Of Houston Victoria, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $54,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #6 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,312. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $59,223. That is a strong return on a $23,312 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $59,146 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #8 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #9 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $61,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Northeastern State University came in at #11 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $56,535 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Houston ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $21,255. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $62,100. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #13 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $67,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Texarkana earned the #14 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,349 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,270 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Texas A And M University Texarkana generally make around $54,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #15 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $20,959 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $55,485 early in their careers. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Angelo State University placed #17 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,237 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $55,539 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,237 median debt. Angelo State University admits about 83% of applicants.
New Mexico Highlands University earned the #18 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,416, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $18,900. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of New Mexico Highlands University earn a median of $57,281 early in their careers. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University placed #19 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $23,925 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $63,597. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #21 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. 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. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $61,737 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University landed the #22 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $24,850. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $57,928. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,206 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Mid America Christian University came in at #24 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Mid America Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,294 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $37,852 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Mid America Christian University earn a median of $43,010 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,106. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Our Lady Of The Lake University San Antonio generally make around $49,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s curriculum & instruction value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 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.
