2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 85 schools to find the best return on investment for engineering students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Leading the list is South Texas College, our #1 best value for engineering in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Amarillo College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $41,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #3 place for engineering. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Tarrant County College District, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $8,542. Early-career engineering graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University earned the #7 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,243 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $49,755. Set against $10,243 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Houston Community College placed #8 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $17,814 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $61,518. Set against $17,814 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District landed the #9 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,375 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $43,183. That is a strong return on a $15,375 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #10 position for value in engineering 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, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $52,819. That is a strong return on a $14,150 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Mclennan Community College earned the #11 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,598 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $40,499. That is a strong return on a $11,598 median debt.
San Juan College landed the #12 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $16,150. Early-career engineering graduates make about $41,697. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Tulsa Community College earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Set against $16,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College placed #14 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar University landed the #15 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Engineering graduates carry a median of $19,464 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $82,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology landed the #16 spot for engineering value this year. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a small public school located in the town of Socorro. In-state tuition and fees average $9,476, compared with $27,247 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,007 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology earn a median of $68,857 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology admits about 44% of applicants.
Arizona Western College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Engineering graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for engineering. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $17,301 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $66,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Paris Junior College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $38,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College placed #20 among the best values for engineering. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #21 among the best values for engineering. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $17,045. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $70,515. That is a strong return on a $17,045 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Blinn College came in at #22 for value in engineering this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metro Technology Centers landed the #23 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Metro Technology Centers is a small public university. Engineering graduates carry a median of $15,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Metro Technology Centers generally make around $48,236. Set against $15,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tyler Junior College landed the #24 spot for engineering value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public school located in the town of Shawnee. Engineering graduates of Gordon Cooper Technology Center earn a median of $44,822 early in their careers.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Engineering Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering value ranking:
Narrow Engineering Schools by State
More Engineering Rankings
View All Engineering Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 85 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.
