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2026 Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools in the Southwest Region

13 Colleges in the United States
$20,888 Avg Student Debt
$65,822 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Applied Mathematics Badge [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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for applied mathematics students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools in the Southwest Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the applied mathematics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Applied Mathematics Schools

1

For return on investment in applied mathematics, no school beat The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

2
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied mathematics, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $11,904. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

3

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

4

University Of Houston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in applied mathematics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

5

A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for applied mathematics. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $17,681 in student loans. Applied Mathematics graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $65,661 early in their careers. Set against $17,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

6

University Of North Texas landed the #6 spot for applied mathematics value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

7

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #7 among the best values for applied mathematics. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Applied Mathematics graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

8

University Of Arizona came in at #8 for value in applied mathematics this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

9

The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #9 spot for applied mathematics value this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Applied Mathematics graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $73,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.

10

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,409 to complete the applied mathematics program here. Early-career applied mathematics graduates make about $49,822. Set against $28,409 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

11

The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $21,275. 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.

12

Texas A And M University College Station placed #12 among the best values for applied mathematics. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Applied Mathematics graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $57,787 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

13
Trinity University crest
Trinity University
San Antonio, TX

Trinity University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value applied mathematics schools. Trinity University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $53,676. Applied Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from Trinity University generally make around $57,496. That is a strong return on a $23,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 26%.

14

Dallas Baptist University came in at #14 for value in applied mathematics this year. Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $40,190. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $22,819. Soon after graduation, applied mathematics degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $48,822. That is a strong return on a $22,819 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

15

Southern Methodist University came in at #15 for value in applied mathematics this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Typical student debt for applied mathematics graduates is $20,712. Applied Mathematics graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $80,690 early in their careers. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

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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 · 29 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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