2026 Best Value Health Professions Schools in the Southwest Region
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 393 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health professions students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Health Professions Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health Professions Schools
Leading the list is Texas A And M International University, our #1 best value for health professions in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $13,750. Health Professions graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $95,761 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gateway Community College Central City earned it the #2 place for health professions. Located in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Central City is a small public university. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $16,164. Health Professions graduates of Gateway Community College Central City earn a median of $56,391 early in their careers. Set against $16,164 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in health professions will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #3. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $12,179 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $51,221. Set against $12,179 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brazosport College earned it the #4 place for health professions. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $6,625. Health Professions graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes El Centro College one of the best values for health professions. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $17,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $68,542. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College landed the #6 spot for health professions value this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $8,059. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $57,701. Set against $8,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #7 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $12,655 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $65,275 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland placed #8 among the best values for health professions. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $68,525. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
Texas A And M University Central Texas ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $22,750. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $69,701. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Alvin Community College placed #10 among the best values for health professions. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $11,524. Early-career health professions graduates make about $67,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,592, with out-of-state students paying around $3,344. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $12,218. Health Professions graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $63,668 early in their careers. Set against $12,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College earned the #12 position for value in health professions this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $71,893 early in their careers. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College came in at #13 for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $8,494 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $63,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus came in at #14 for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Juan College placed #15 among the best values for health professions. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $19,149. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $50,514. Set against $19,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #16 for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $13,298 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $78,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College landed the #17 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $12,704 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $65,362 early in their careers. Set against $12,704 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District earned the #18 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,423 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $66,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District placed #19 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,691 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $70,902. That is a strong return on a $16,691 median debt.
Victoria College placed #20 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,976, while out-of-state students pay about $5,328. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $14,830 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Victoria College earn a median of $64,178 early in their careers. Set against $14,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange placed #21 among the best values for health professions. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $26,190 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $67,044. Set against $26,190 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $17,111 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $51,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #23 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $18,391 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $63,917. That is a strong return on a $18,391 median debt.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Students borrow a median of $13,231 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $55,896. That is a strong return on a $13,231 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #25 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,439 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $58,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health Professions Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health professions value ranking:
Narrow Health Professions Schools by State
More Health Professions Rankings
View All Health Professions Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 393 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 173 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.
