2027 Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools in the Southwest Region
[Applied Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/applied-mathematics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for applied mathematics students.
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2027 Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 best value for applied mathematics in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Commerce earned it the #2 place for applied mathematics. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Connors State College earned it the #3 place for applied mathematics. Set in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $7,530 for out-of-state students. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $16,071 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $47,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #4 place for applied mathematics. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $23,312. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $49,955. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied mathematics, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $21,632. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $55,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $20,052. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Houston ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Arizona State University earned the #8 position for value in applied mathematics this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,681 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $65,661. That is a strong return on a $17,681 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas earned the #9 position for value in applied mathematics this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $49,157 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Arizona ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $20,531. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $73,814. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #12 among the best values for applied mathematics. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $28,409 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $49,822. Set against $28,409 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #13 position for value in applied mathematics this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $82,241. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Texas placed #14 among the best values for applied mathematics. University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $34,634. Students borrow a median of $23,628 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Applied Mathematics graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $58,265 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #15 spot for applied mathematics value this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $57,787. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Dallas Baptist University landed the #16 spot for applied mathematics value this year. Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $22,819 in student loans. Applied Mathematics graduates of Dallas Baptist University earn a median of $48,822 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Southern Methodist University came in at #17 for value in applied mathematics this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Applied Mathematics graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $80,690 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,712 median debt. Southern Methodist University admits about 63% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
