2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked Sam Houston State University the best value for a degree in value in the Southwest Region. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,850. Value graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of The Incarnate Word came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,090 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,028 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $51,876. Set against $28,028 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Value Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
[Value](/majors/health-care-professions/medicine/osteopathic-medicine-osteopathy/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
