2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southwest Region
[Value](/majors/health-care-professions/bioethics-medical-ethics/nursing-education/) 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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Texas Womans University, our #1 best value for value in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Value graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $101,837 early in their careers. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for value. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Lamar University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Northeastern State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $49,353 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Phoenix Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $106,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #6 among the best values for value. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,959. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $75,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,632. Early-career value graduates make about $97,185. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Tarleton State University earned the #8 position for value in value this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $50,532. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Narrow Value Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 29 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.
