2026 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
[Software Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/software-engineering/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value software engineering schools.
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2026 Best Value Software Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in software engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Software Engineering Schools
Leading the list is Arizona State University, our #1 best value for software engineering in the Southwest Region. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $26,972. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $81,123. Set against $26,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in software engineering will find it at University Of Houston Clear Lake, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,238 to complete the software engineering program here. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $63,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in software engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $19,819. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $102,946. 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 #4 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $20,833 to complete the software engineering program here. Software Engineering graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $81,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,833 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for software engineering. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $21,645. Software Engineering graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value software engineering schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #7 among the best values for software engineering. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $88,820. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Texas Tech University came in at #8 for value in software engineering this year. 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. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, software engineering degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $85,619. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #9 spot for software engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Students borrow a median of $23,321 to complete the software engineering program here. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $44,085. That is a strong return on a $23,321 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys University earned the #10 position for value in software engineering this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,434 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $25,040. Early-career software engineering graduates make about $42,786. That is a strong return on a $25,040 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott came in at #11 for value in software engineering this year. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Prescott. In-state tuition and fees average $43,974. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $26,146. Software Engineering graduates of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott earn a median of $79,276 early in their careers. Set against $26,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Southern Methodist University landed the #12 spot for software engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,040 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for software engineering graduates is $20,712. Software Engineering graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $130,488 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
