2027 Best Value Science Education Schools in the Southwest Region
[Science Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/science-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong science education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for science education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Science Education Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the science education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Science Education Schools
For return on investment in science education, no school beat New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology this year. Set in the town of Socorro, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,476, with out-of-state students paying around $27,247. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $18,747. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology generally make around $64,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Students looking for strong value in science education will find it at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, which ranked #2. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alva. In-state tuition and fees average $5,970, compared with $11,664 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,542 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $44,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Northern Arizona University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in science education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $22,009 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $49,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $47,025. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for science education. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Science Education graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $54,028. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #6 for value in science education this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $47,572. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #7 among the best values for science education. Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Weatherford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, compared with $8,499 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $43,302. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arizona placed #8 among the best values for science education. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $25,340 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University landed the #9 spot for science education value this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Science Education graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Early-career science education graduates make about $50,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Central Oklahoma earned the #10 position for value in science education this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Typical student debt for science education graduates is $25,000. Science Education graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Science Education graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Science Education graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Hardin Simmons University placed #12 among the best values for science education. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. In-state tuition and fees average $32,960. Students borrow a median of $27,709 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $48,334. That is a strong return on a $27,709 median debt. Hardin Simmons University admits about 90% of applicants.
Houston Baptist University came in at #13 for value in science education this year. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Science Education graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Science Education graduates of Houston Baptist University earn a median of $58,604 early in their careers. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Abilene Christian University came in at #14 for value in science education this year. Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Students from in state pay about $44,200 in tuition and fees. Science Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $56,463. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Abilene Christian University admits about 66% of applicants.
Dallas Baptist University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value science education schools. Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,190. Students borrow a median of $22,819 to complete the science education program here. Soon after graduation, science education degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $56,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Christian University came in at #16 for value in science education this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the science education program here. Early-career science education graduates make about $57,665. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Baylor University came in at #17 for value in science education this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the science education program here. Science Education graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
Narrow Science Education Schools by State
More Science Education Rankings
View All Science Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
