2026 Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools in the Southwest Region
[Health/Medical Prep Programs](/majors/health-care-professions/health-medical-preparatory-programs/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health/medical prep programs education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health/medical prep programs students.
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2026 Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health/medical prep programs, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health/Medical Prep Programs Schools
Our analysis ranked San Juan College the best value for a degree in health/medical prep programs in the Southwest Region. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Navajo Technical College earned it the #2 place for health/medical prep programs. Set in the rural area of Crownpoint, Navajo Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,498. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $26,364.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grayson College earned it the #3 place for health/medical prep programs. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health/medical prep programs, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $14,949 in student loans. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health/medical prep programs, landing the #5 spot this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $18,744 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $30,605. That is a strong return on a $18,744 median debt.
Temple College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value health/medical prep programs schools. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $7,524. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $16,617. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $55,262. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
Hill College earned the #7 position for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $13,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Hill College generally make around $39,212. That is a strong return on a $13,925 median debt.
South Plains College earned the #8 position for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Galveston College landed the #9 spot for health/medical prep programs value this year. Located in the city of Galveston, Galveston College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,726 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,176 for out-of-state students. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $15,183 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Galveston College generally make around $51,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value health/medical prep programs schools. Howard College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $6,716. Students borrow a median of $14,650 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $18,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rose State College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value health/medical prep programs schools. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,236 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Rose State College generally make around $50,860. Set against $14,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Connors State College came in at #12 for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Connors State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Warner. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,071 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Connors State College generally make around $47,964. Set against $16,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College landed the #13 spot for health/medical prep programs value this year. Northeastern Oklahoma Aandm College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Miami. Students from in state pay about $5,213 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,363. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $46,400. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University came in at #14 for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,993 to complete the health/medical prep programs program here. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $36,058. That is a strong return on a $25,993 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for health/medical prep programs. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value health/medical prep programs schools. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $19,738. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Lubbock Christian University landed the #17 spot for health/medical prep programs value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,540. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Early-career health/medical prep programs graduates make about $49,072. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value health/medical prep programs schools. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Belton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,300. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $25,369. Health/medical Prep Programs graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $54,062 early in their careers. Set against $25,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Baylor University earned the #19 position for value in health/medical prep programs this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for health/medical prep programs graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, health/medical prep programs degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $30,164. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
