2027 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the Southwest Region

[General Educational Leadership & Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/educational-leadership-and-administration-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 66 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general educational leadership & administration students.
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2027 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general educational leadership & administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
For return on investment in general educational leadership & administration, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $23,160. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $62,186. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Students looking for strong value in general educational leadership & administration will find it at University Of North Texas At Dallas, which ranked #3. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general educational leadership & administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $14,694. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $61,569. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Houston Victoria one of the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $63,808 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #6 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar University placed #7 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $73,704 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #8 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $18,660. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $55,281 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #9 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $23,925 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $46,298. That is a strong return on a $23,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $71,435 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Western New Mexico University came in at #11 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University San Antonio earned the #12 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $61,699. That is a strong return on a $22,771 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #13 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $19,819. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $58,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
East Central University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,840 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $58,588. That is a strong return on a $21,840 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Texas Womans University landed the #15 spot for general educational leadership & administration value 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. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $63,261. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,026 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $62,493. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Midwestern State University landed the #17 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $55,815. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #18 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $77,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #19 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $63,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #20 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $59,087. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #21 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $69,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University earned the #22 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $65,482 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Northern Arizona University landed the #23 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $72,219. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cameron University earned the #24 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Cameron University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lawton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,095, with out-of-state students paying around $16,515. Students borrow a median of $23,967 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Cameron University generally make around $56,061. That is a strong return on a $23,967 median debt.
University Of Houston placed #25 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $72,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general educational leadership & administration this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 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.