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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

39 Ranked Colleges
4,271 Degrees Awarded
$5,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Education is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 4th of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 310,601 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2017-2018, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $43,887 and had an average of $30,244 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southwest region, there were 36,145 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $44,313 and $29,229 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 4,271 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,605 and $16,886 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 39 colleges that offered a degree in education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the education program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

#1

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, South Texas College landed the #1 spot on the list. McAllen, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s education degrees to 396 students in 2019-2020.

South Texas College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $904 for southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Texas College.

Full South Texas College Education Report

#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Austin Community College District. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 100 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Austin Community College District not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Austin Community College District is $3,134 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Austin Community College District

#3

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Central New Mexico Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. CNM is a large school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 117 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

CNM also made our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend CNM is $2,604 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at CNM

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tarrant County College District. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tarrant County College is a large public school situated in Fort Worth, Texas. It awarded 144 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Tarrant County College has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Tarrant County College District is $5,225 for southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Tarrant County College District

#5

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas
#15 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend El Paso Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. El Paso Community College is a public institution located in El Paso, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 199 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

El Paso Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $3,978 for southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend El Paso Community College.

Read full report on Education at El Paso Community College

#6

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
#3 in overall quality

Lone Star College System ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lone Star College System is a public institution located in The Woodlands, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 269 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

North Harris Montgomery also made our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Lone Star College System is $7,146 for southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at North Harris Montgomery

#7

Northern Oklahoma College

Tonkawa, Oklahoma
#8 in overall quality

Northern Oklahoma College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tonkawa, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s education degrees to 71 students in 2019-2020.

Northern Oklahoma College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northern Oklahoma College is $6,155 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Northern Oklahoma College

#8

San Juan College

Farmington, New Mexico
#9 in overall quality

San Juan College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. SJC is a medium-sized school located in Farmington, New Mexico that handed out 23 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

SJC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SJC is $5,586 for southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at SJC

#10

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona

Pima Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 42 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $2,574 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Pima County Community College District.

Read more about Education at Pima County Community College District

#11

Santa Fe Community College

Santa Fe, New Mexico
#10 in overall quality

Santa Fe Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, this small public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFCC, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SFCC is $6,464 for southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Santa Fe Community College

#12

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas
#12 in overall quality

San Antonio College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s education degrees to 86 students in 2019-2020.

San Antonio College also took the #12 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Antonio College is $5,183 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full San Antonio College Education Report

#17 in overall quality

Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, this small public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

OSU Institute of Technology did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for OSU Institute of Technology is $4,771 for southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology

#14

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas
#20 in overall quality

Amarillo College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Amarillo, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s education degrees to 44 students in 2019-2020.

Amarillo College also made our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $4,740 for southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Amarillo College.

Full Amarillo College Education Report

#18 in overall quality

Cochise County Community College District landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cochise County Community College District is a small school located in Sierra Vista, Arizona that handed out 38 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Cochise College also made our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Cochise College is $5,856 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Cochise County Community College District

#16

Tulsa Community College

Tulsa, Oklahoma
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Tulsa Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tulsa Community College is located in Tulsa, Oklahoma and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 associates’s education degrees to qualified students.

Tulsa Community College also made our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Tulsa Community College is $4,835 for southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Tulsa Community College Education Report

#23 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Alamogordo ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. NMSU Alamogordo is a small public school situated in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It awarded 12 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Alamogordo also took the #23 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for New Mexico State University - Alamogordo is $5,023 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Education at NMSU Alamogordo

#18

Connors State College

Warner, Oklahoma
#6 in overall quality

Connors State College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. CSC is a small school located in Warner, Oklahoma that handed out 144 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSC has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Connors State College is $9,825 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Connors State College Education Report

McLennan Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MCC is a medium-sized school located in Waco, Texas that handed out 22 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for MCC is $5,970 for southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at MCC

#20

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana

Las Cruces, New Mexico

New Mexico State University - Dona Ana landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, this medium-sized public school awarded 36 diplomas to qualified associates’s education students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $4,942 for southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend New Mexico State University - Dona Ana.

Read more about Education at NMSU Dona Ana

#21

Glendale Community College

Glendale, Arizona
#11 in overall quality

Glendale Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Glendale, Arizona is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s education degrees to 42 students in 2019-2020.

Glendale Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Glendale Community College is $7,729 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Glendale Community College

New Mexico State University - Grants came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NMSU Grants is a small public school situated in Grants, New Mexico. It awarded 5 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend New Mexico State University - Grants is $5,174 for southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at NMSU Grants

#14 in overall quality

San Jacinto Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Pasadena, Texas, and it awarded 258 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

San Jacinto College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jacinto Community College is $8,232 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full San Jacinto College Education Report

#24

Navarro College

Corsicana, Texas
#4 in overall quality

Navarro College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Navarro College is a medium-sized public school situated in Corsicana, Texas. It awarded 56 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Navarro College has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,770 for Southwest Region Associate Degree Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Navarro College.

Read more about Education at Navarro College

#25

Arizona Western College

Yuma, Arizona
#19 in overall quality

Arizona Western College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools for an Associate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Yuma, Arizona, and it awarded 39 associates’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

AWC also took the #19 spot in our “Best Education Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend AWC is $9,734 for southwest region associate degree education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at AWC

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Horadrim.

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